Ahmad Cheikhyoussef

Ethnobotanical study of indigenous knowledge on medicinal plant use by traditional healers in Oshikoto region, Namibia

BackgroundThe objective of this study was to establish a regional profile of the indigenous knowledge system (IKS) for medicinal plant use and cultural practices associated with the healing process of these plants by traditional healers in the Oshikoto region, Namibia.MethodsAn ethnobotanical survey was undertaken to collect information from traditional healers during September and October 2008. Data was collected through the use of questionnaires and personal interviews during field trips in the ten constituencies of the Oshikoto region. A total of 47 respondents were interviewed with most of them aged 66 and above.ResultsThe traditional healers in Oshikoto region use 61 medicinal plant species that belong to 25 families for the treatment of various diseases and disorders with the highest number of species being used for mental diseases followed by skin infection and external injuries. Trees (28 species) were found to be the most used plants followed by herbs (15 species), shrubs (10 species) and climbers (4 species). The average of the informant consensus factor (FIC) value for all ailment categories was 0.75. High FIC values were obtained for Pergularia daemia, and Tragia okanyua, which were reported to treat weakness and dizziness problems, snake bite, swelling and cardiovascular problems indicating that these species traditionally used to treat these ailments are worth examining for bioactive compounds.ConclusionsThe traditional healers in Oshikoto possess rich ethno-pharmacological knowledge. This study allows for identifying many high value medicinal plant species, indicating high potential for economic development through sustainable collection of these medicinal plants.

Ethnobotanical knowledge on indigenous fruits in Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions in Northern Namibia

BackgroundIndigenous communities in Namibia possess a rich indigenous knowledge expressed within many practices of these communities. Indigenous wild edible fruits are available along the Namibian 13 regions of which it forms a rich source of vitamins, fibres, minerals and a heterogeneous collection of bioactive compounds referred to as phytochemicals for indigenous people’s diet. The aim of this study was to record the different IKS practices on the indigenous fruit trees in Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions of Namibia.MethodsAn ethnobotanical survey was undertaken to collect information from local communities from 23-29 October 2011. Data was collected through the use of questionnaires and personal interviews during field trips in the Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions. A total of 65 respondents were interviewed; 54%; women, 38%; men and 8%; both in group interviews.ResultsThe majority of the people interviewed were in their thirty’s, with the youngest being 18 years old and the oldest being 98 years old. Forty three plant specimens were collected from the two regions; these specimens belong to 20 genera and 25 species. Regarding to the indigenous knowledge; 87%; of the respondents indicated that their knowledge on indigenous fruits was learnt mainly through their parent. Indigenous people’s perception on declining indigenous fruits revealed that 56.3%; of the respondents reported that indigenous fruits were declining. Only a 42.2%; indicated that the indigenous fruits populations are increasing. Regarding to the management practices to improve the production of these indigenous fruit trees; 38.6%; reported that there are some efforts on management practices; on the other hand 61.4%; reported there are no management practices on the indigenous fruit trees in their areas. Four species were found to be the most frequently used and mentioned fruits which need to be given high preference in terms of conservation are: Berchemia discolor, Hyphaene petersiana, Sclerocarya birrea and Diospyros mespiliformis. The following diseases and ailments have been reported to be treated by the indigenous fruit trees which include: toothache, diarrhoea, cough, tonsillitis, burns, skin allergy, stomach ache, snake bit, constipation, etc. 28%; of the respondents mentioned an ethno veterinary use(s) of these fruits, e.g. the use of the Ziziphus mucronata roots to treat diarrhoea in cattle, the bark of eembe (Berchemia discolor) to treat calf weakness.ConclusionsThe local communities in Oshikoto and Ohangwena regions have relatively good knowledge and practices regarding the indigenous fruit. This study enhances our understanding on the indigenous fruit in Namibia and their uses by local communities.

Evolution of data collection methods for indigenous knowledge systems at the Multidisciplinary Research Centre of the University of Namibia

This paper describes the evolution of indigenous knowledge systems documentation at the Multidisciplinary Research Centre, University of Namibia. As awareness of the value of indigenous knowledge systems has increased it has become apparent that it is threatened with extinction and there is a need to document it. Documentation of indigenous knowledge systems is important to preserve indigenous knowledge so it continues to provide local solutions or alternatives to Western knowhow and instill pride in rural communities about their indigenous knowledge systems. There is no clearly defined approach to document indigenous knowledge systems accurately and in its entirety; such a process has to develop, evolve and improve over time. Documentation at the Multidisciplinary Research Centre at the University of Namibia has gone through several phases of refinement with lessons being learnt and efforts being made to improve the process of documentation to capture indigenous knowledge as accurately as possible. The aim of this paper is present development of the indigenous knowledge systems research at the Multidisciplinary Research Centre from the documentation of general indigenous knowledge systems practices; to data collection methods for indigenous knowledge systems baseline studies on the traditional use of medicinal plants, livestock movement, traditional food and beverages and validation of medicinal plants used to treat malaria.

Therapeutic powers of medicinal plants used by traditional healers in Kavango, Namibia, for mental illness

This paper examines the position, usage and healing power of medicinal plants in the treatment of mental illness in two regions in the Kavango, Namibia. It focuses in particular on three common, locally identified mental disorders, namely nyambi, kasenge, and ndjangura. These disorders are encountered in community settings and signal a breakdown in normal functioning. The paper is based on ethnographic data collected in 3 different phases over 12 months from 2014 to 2016. Twenty-five traditional healers were interviewed, three ethno-botanical surveys were conducted and extensive time was spent with five traditional healers. The study used accepted ethnographic methods.

Bird Plum; Berchemia discolor (Klotzsch) Hemsl.: A Review of Its Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology

Bird plum (Berchemia discolor) is a shrub or tree distributed in the Arabian Peninsula and Africa characterized by edible fruits and its wood makes charcoal, building material, beehives, furniture and crafts. Berchemia discolor is also used as a dye, fodder, ornamental tree and as herbal medicine to treat several human and animal diseases and ailments. The objective of this study was to collate the fragmented information on the ethnobotanical uses, phytochemical and pharmacological properties of the Bird plum throughout its geographical range in the African continent so as to highlight research gaps and provide a foundation for further investigations on the plant species. The utilization of Berchemia discolor as a food plant, for various other uses including its medicinal applications forms the basis of the current demand for the plant species in Africa. Research on Berchemia discolor over the past decade on its health promoting properties have greatly contributed to the increased consumption of the species as a food plant and herbal medicine. Therefore, further studies are required to improve our knowledge about its phytochemistry, mechanisms of action, efficacy, toxicity and clinical relevance of the plant species.