Ethnobotanical study of endogenous methods used for the treatment of diseases of Somba cattle breed in northen Benin

Abstract

This study aims to identify and catalog the plant species and medicinal plant recipes used in the treatment of bovine Somba diseases in the north of Benin. To this end we realized an ethnobotanical investigation based on semi-structured individual and group interviews, targeting Somba cattle farmers in northern Benin. The results indicate that 37 plant species are used in 45 different recipes for treating diseases of Somba cattle. These recipes are based on different parts or organs, which mainly consist of leaves and barks. Decoction and maceration are the predominant modes of preparation, and the oral route of administration is most used method. These recipes are used to treat 25 different diseases or syndromes, predominantly parasitic diseases. Plant species listed are divided into 29 different botanical families, of wich the most important are the Fabaceae, the Anacardiaceae, Meliaceae, Asteracea, Euphorbiaceae, and Moraceae. As the most used plant species, they comprise 11 of 37 listed.