Ethnobotanical study of plants used against malaria in Sélingué subdistrict, Mali.
BACKGROUND
Plants have contributed to food security and disease treatments to rural populations in sub Saharan Africa for many centuries. These plants occupy a significant place in the treatment of diseases, such as malaria. In Mali, malaria is the leading cause of medical consultation and death. This infection is particularly dangerous for pregnant women and children under 5 years. The general aim of this research was to collect data on the knowledge of traditional health practitioners on malaria in the Sélingué area; particularly to document how traditional healers conceptualize and diagnose malarial disease and to collect and identify medicinal plants or other substances used for their health and well-being.


METHODS
An ethnobotanical survey was conducted on simple and complicated malaria in six villages in Sélingué subdistrict in a period of 2 months. The ethnobotanical data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews and questionnaires. In total 50 traditional healers were interviewed.


RESULTS
Two concepts of malaria (simple and complicated malaria) were cited and 97 plants used to treat malaria were identified. Decoctions and bathing (whole body) proved to be the most commonly used mode of application. Food attitudes and mosquitoes are perceived to be the most important causes of the disease. Trichilia emetica, Mitragyna inermis, Sarcocephalus latifolius, Cassia sieberiana, Cochlospermum tinctorium, Anogeissus leiocarpa, Guiera senegalensis and Entada africana were quoted as the most used in the treatment of malaria.


CONCLUSIONS
Knowledge about malaria and traditional treatment practices exist in Sélingué subdistrict. Herbal remedies are commonly used by people for the treatment of malaria because they are believed to be cost-effective and more accessible. Many of the plant species used for the treatment of malaria have not been well documented as well as their phytochemical and antimalarial activity.
Faculté des sciences et techniques (FST), Université de sciences des techniques et des technologies de Bamako (USTTB), Colline de Badalabougou, Badalabougou, Bamako, Mali.
Nouhoum
N
Diarra
Amsterdam Institute of Social Sciences (AISS), University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 15718, 1001, Netherlands.
Charlotte Van't
CV
Klooster
Département de Médecine Traditionnelle (DMT), Institut National de Recherche en Santé Publique (INRSP), Route de Sotuba, face Sotelco, BP 1746 Bamako, Mali.
Adiaratou
A
Togola
Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de sciences des techniques et des technologies de Bamako (USTTB), Bamako, Mali; Département de Médecine Traditionnelle (DMT), Institut National de Recherche en Santé Publique (INRSP), Route de Sotuba, face Sotelco, BP 1746 Bamako, Mali. Electronic address: dri.diallo@yahoo.fr.
Drissa
D
Diallo
Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 6GG, UK.
Merlin
M
Willcox
Amsterdam Institute of Social Sciences (AISS), University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 15718, 1001, Netherlands.
Joop de
Jd
Jong
D000328:Adult; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019448:Ethnobotany / Q000379:methods; D020834:Ethnopharmacology / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008302:Mali; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D012424:Rural Population; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000962:Antimalarials; D010936:Plant Extracts
Ethnopharmacological research; Malaria; Mali; Medicinal plants; Sélingué