Investigating the Use Profile of Kigelia africana (Lam.) Benth. through Market Survey in Benin.

Abstract

\n The aim was to gather ethnobotanical knowledge on Kigelia africana in Benin where it is widely used in traditional medicine but receives little attention and recently recorded as threatened. A semi-structured questionnaire served to collect data from herbal traders. Thirty-six percent of respondents obtained parts of the species by purchase in their own markets and by travelling far. The same proportion travel very far before buying parts. None mentioned harvesting parts from wild populations. A high proportion of informants sold fruits and bark whereas a relatively low proportion of them sold fruits, bark and leaves. Bark was recorded as most sold followed by fruits. Respondents mostly confirmed the species scarcity. Thirteen diseases and disorders were recorded and the majority of traders mentioned the use of bark in treating stomach infections and gynecological disorders. Fruits were mainly used in magic rituals and stomach infections treatment. Five preparations were recorded and 54% of traders mentioned bark decoctions, 27% highlighted infusion of fruits in water. Kigelia africana is important in local ethnomedicine; harvesting and trade of its parts are threats and urgent conservation tools are needed.