Traditional Knowledge on Medicinal Plants Use by Ethnic Communities in Douala, Cameroon.
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Date
2012-04
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Abstract
Traditional knowledge is common and important among the tribal people but much of the
information is empirical at best lacking logical validation. A number of ethnic communities
residing in the study area are partially or fully dependent on the forest resources to meet
their requirements. Plants have traditionally been used as a source of medicine in
Cameroon since early times for the control of various ailments afflicting humans and their
domestic animals. However, little work has been made in the past to properly document
and promote that knowledge. Today medicinal plants and the associated knowledge in
the country are threatened due to deforestation, environmental degradation and
acculturation. The present study analyses traditional knowledge and utilization of 94
species belonging to 84 genera under 46 families in day-to-day life of ethnic communities
in Douala region, Cameroon. The diverse ethnic communities such as Bamiléké, Bassa,
Béti, Haoussa, Douala, Bakoko, Bassolo, Ngumba, Dibom, Baya and Banen have a good
association with plants and their potential role they use for different purposes and
treatment of various ailments. The traditional knowledge on the utilization of these plants
is widely accepted by the ethnic communities.
Description
Keywords
Traditional;, knowledge, Douala, medicinal plants
Citation
Emmanuel Mpondo Mpondo, Didier Dibong Siegfried. Traditional Knowledge on Medicinal Plants Use by Ethnic Communities in Douala, Cameroon. European Journal of Medicinal Plants. 2012 Apr-Jun; 2(2): 159-176.