Abstract

TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND NATURAL REMEDIES AGAINST DERMATOSES IN UPPER GUINEA (REPUBLIC OF GUINEA)

Kalaya Goumou*,, Nyanga Luopou Haba,, Théophile Olaye,,
Gustave Tchanang, Namagan Keita, Mamoudou Kotèban Camara,
Mohamed Sahar Traore, Elhadj Saidou Balde and Mamadou Aliou Balde

ABSTRACT

Skin diseases constitute a significant public health problem worldwide, particularly in tropical countries. The objective of this study was to assess the traditional knowledge of skin diseases held by traditional healers in Upper Guinea, as well as their traditional therapeutic practices for treating these diseases. To achieve this objective, an ethnobotanical survey was conducted with 41 individuals in Upper Guinea, including 13 women, using a semi-structured open interview technique. The results reveal that local populations possess a fairly clear understanding of skin diseases, but due to a lack of case studies, this traditional knowledge remains limited. During the interviews, traditional healers proposed 14 categories of skin diseases and several treatment methods. In total, 54 species of medicinal plants, belonging to 28 botanical families, were identified along with their uses. The most represented families are Caesalpiniaceae (8 species), Apocynaceae (5 species), followed by Euphorbiaceae (4 species), Moraceae (4 species),and Meliaceae (3 species). Leaves are the most commonly used part of the plant, followed by bark and roots. The most prevalent method of preparing remedies is decoction, followed by powder. and maceration. The primary method of acquiring these recipes remains learning. The literature reveals that several of the plants mentioned are rich in bioactive compounds likely to effectively combat dermatoses.

Keywords: Dermatoses, traditional knowledge, medicinal plants.