Spontaneous Plants Used in the Traditional Soap Making in Cote D’Ivoire

Abstract

The study focused on the spontaneous plants used in the traditional soap making. The aim is to create a directory of the main plant species used in traditional soap making in the Sudan Savannah zone. An ethnobotanical investigation based on direct structured or semi -structured individual interviews was carried out with 193 people. 33 plants were recorded, among which 7 plants are used for the extraction of the fat and 28 for potash manufacture. The frequency of plant use, level of abundance plant and origin of each plant species were estimated. At the end of the study, 33 plants were recorded and 22 are abundant in study zone. Carapa procerawas used much and on the other handCeiba pentandra,Cussonia arborea,Elaeisguineensisand Vitellariaparadoxa were moderately used.28 plants are spontaneous and 84 % of respondents reported their involvement in the traditional soap making.7 plants were used for fat extraction while 28 plants species were use to potash manufacture. Stems and fruit were most requested as organs of plants for soap making. The intensive use of the stem (trunk and branches) of these species is a real pressure on the resources itself and may lead to the extinction of the most vulnerable one. Plants