| Summary: | The ethnobotanical utilization of five neglected herbaceous species, <i>Argemone mexicana</i> L., <i>Heliotropium indicum</i> L., <i>Kedrostis foetidissima</i> (Jacq.) Cogn., <i>Peperomia pellucida</i> (L.) Kunth and <i>Schrankia leptocarpa</i> DC. was investigated in Southern Benin to determine the ethnomedicinal and magic knowledge on them. Thirty-six herbal medicine traders were surveyed in six different markets in three districts. Four ethnobotanical indices were used. All informants traded <i>A. mexicana</i> and the majority traded <i>H. indicum</i>, <i>K. foetidissima</i>, and <i>P. pellucida</i>. Purchases in the traders’ own markets was the single most important source of <i>H. indicum</i>, <i>A. mexicana</i> and <i>P. pellucida</i>. <i>A. mexicana</i> was the most demanded by customers. Traders reported the scarcity of <i>A. mexicana</i> and <i>H. indicum</i> and the availability of <i>S. leptocarpa</i>, <i>K. foetidissima</i> and <i>P. pellucida</i>. <i>H. indicum</i> was mainly used to treat hypertension and fever. Similarly, <i>S. leptocarpa</i> was mostly mentioned in the treatment of hypertension and to facilitate childbirth. <i>K. foetidissima</i> mainly served religious and animist purposes. Similarly, <i>P. pellucida</i> was reported as being mainly used to implant a vodun, a traditional religion in West Africa. <i>A. mexicana</i> served to treat babies just after the umbilical cord fall as well as jaundice. <i>S. leptocarpa</i> and <i>P. pellucida</i> exhibited the highest Use Value (UV), and there was a very low similarity between study species in terms of uses. The majority of traders did not plant the study species, although they serve to treat various social conditions. We suggest a better management of <i>H. indicum</i> and <i>S. leptocarpa</i> through collection for trading and medicinal utilization while the planting is required for <i>A. mexicana</i> and <i>P. pellucida</i> because of their scarcity. <i>K. foetidissima</i> should be preserved and used as medicine wherever it occurs.
|
|---|