Ethnobotanical study and inventory of medicinal plants used in the treatment of dermatological diseases in southern Benin

Abstract

The use of phytotherapy in the treatment of skin diseases is becoming more and more widespread in Benin due to the increasing number of dermatological diseases and the cosmetologically demands of the population. This study aimed to identify the medicinal plants used to treat common dermatoses in southern Benin. The methodology is based on ethnobotanical surveys carried out with the help of questionnaires among traditional therapists and medicinal plant sellers of different ages and sexes in some communes of southern Benin. The results obtained allowed us to identify 54 species of medicinal plants used in the treatment of dermatoses. The most frequently cited species include Crateva adansonii, Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides, Ageratum conyzoides, Cassia alata, and Chromolaena odorata. Leaves are the most commonly used organ (73.29%). Decoction is the most popular method of preparation (95.4%), while bathing is the most commonly recommended method of administration (54.68%). All the information gathered will be used to create a database for future studies in the Beninese pharmacopeia to evaluate the efficacy of these antibacterial plants.