Survey on Wound Healing Plants Traditionally Used by The Bambenga Pygmy Indigenous Peoples of Dongo Sector (South Ubangi Province) In the Democratic Republic of The Congo

Abstract

Background: Humans have used plants as a primary source of care in medicine since ancient times. Currently, about 80% of the population in southern Africa uses traditional medicine to meet their primary healthcare needs. This research was conducted with the aim of surveying ethnobotanical healing plants used by the Bambenga indigenous people of Dongo, the Democratic Republic of Congo.Methodology: The study was conducted from May to June 2022. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to conduct the survey. Data collected included local names of plants, parts used, plant life forms, methods of preparation, and administration of plant remedies. Descriptive statistics were used to present the data in tabular and graphical forms. Results: Overall, 21 medicinal plant species belonging to 8 plant families were recorded to be used by Bambenga indigenous people to heal their wounds. Trees (38%), and shrubs (28%) were the most used life forms, while the leaves (48%) and bark (38%) were the most exploited parts of the plant. Incision (38%) and local application (95%) were the main method of drug preparation and administration used for the herbal recipes, respectively. Conclusion: Herbal remedies were an important source of treatment for human ailments Dongo. Future research should explore the appropriate methods of drug preservation, preparation, and dosage of herbal remedies in order to obtain the best benefits from them.