Abstract
Background: In Burkina Faso, phytotherapy is the main medical alternative used by populations to manage various diseases that affect the nervous system. The aim of the present study was to report medicinal plants with psychoactive properties used to treat neuropsychiatric disorders in the Hauts Bassins region, in the western zone of Burkina Faso. Methods: Through an ethnobotanical survey using structured questionnaire, 53 traditional healers (TH) were interviewed about neuropsychiatric disorders, medicinal plants and medical practices used to treat them. The survey was carried out over a period of three months. Results: The results report 66 plant species used to treat neuropsychiatric pathologies. Roots (36.2%) and leaves (29%) were the main plant parts used. Alone or associated, these parts were used to prepare drugs using mainly the decoction and the trituration methods. Remedies were administered via drink, fumigation and external applications. Conclusions: It appears from this study a real knowledge of neuropsychiatric disorders in the traditional medicine of Hauts Bassins area. The therapeutic remedies suggested in this work are a real interest in the fight against psychiatric and neurological diseases. In the future, identified plants could be used for searching antipsychotic or neuroprotective compounds.
Highlights
Nowadays, medicinal plant use in traditional therapy is increasing and diversifying
The present study aims to provide information about medicinal plants used to treat neuropsychiatric disorders in the Hauts Bassins region of Burkina Faso
More than 77% of plants identified are ligneous. This rate could be justified by the relative abundance of these species in the phytogeographical sector of this area, and their availability during all the year. These results were in the same order with those of Traoré’s group in the province of Comoé [36], Olivier’s group on “Dozo” traditional healers [21] and Zerbo’s group in western area [22], which indicates a prevalence of ligneous use in the pharmacopeia of this zone of Burkina Faso
Summary
Medicinal plant use in traditional therapy is increasing and diversifying These plants were a precious patrimony for the humanity in general and very important for developing countries people’s healthcare and their subsistence [1]. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), neuropsychiatric disorders are a whole of “mental health problems”, which are characterized by anomalies of the thought, emotions, behavior and relationship with others These pathologies handicap the person concerned and assign people of its circle. Thirteen per cent to 49% of the world’s populations develop neuropsychiatric disorders at some point in their life [4] These pathologies affect all categories of person, race, sex and Medicines 2017, 4, 32; doi:10.3390/medicines4020032 www.mdpi.com/journal/medicines. In the future, identified plants could be used for searching antipsychotic or neuroprotective compounds
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