Ethnomedicinal use of pythons by traditional medicine practitioners in Ghana

Abstract

ABSTRACT The use of Python spp. for traditional medicine purposes has been recorded, but there is a dearth of information on the versatility of body parts used for the treatment of human ailments. This study aimed to determine the medicinal knowledge and level of agreement among traditional medicine practitioners in Ghana on the use of pythons for the treatment of human ailments. Ethnozoological data on the use of pythons for the treatment of human ailments were gathered from 45 traditional medicine practitioners using semi-structured interviews. The use value index and informant agreement ratio were calculated to ascertain the most sought after python body part and the level of agreement of a python body part for the treatment of human ailments. The python head, bones, and skin were the body parts found to be used for traditional medicine purposes together with the fat and eggs. Python fat had the highest use value and informant agreement ratio. Rheumatism, headache, bedwetting, diabetes, and spiritual protection were among the human ailments that were treated with python. Overall, python medicinal use was mainly for spiritual ailments rather than medical ailments. Although the python is currently of less international conservation importance, there is a need to reconcile the high use values of species by traditional medicine practitioners with their conservation status to evaluate their current threats.