Local Importance of Wild Woody Plants for Medicinal Use in the Tchambi Region; Maniema (DR Congo)
Keywords:
Med Use value, woody, wild, medicinal use, Tchambi region
Abstract
The contribution of trees to food security and primary healthcare in African societies is well established. The objective of the study was to investigate the diversity and local importance of woody plants used in traditional medicine in Tchambi. Data collection was based on ethnobotanical surveys of 80 traditional practitioners living in ten villages in the peripheral areas of Lomami National Park. Data analysis consisted of calculating medicinal use values and Sorensen's similarity index, the Kh2 test of independence and correlation between the number of organs used and the number of diseases treated for a plant. A total of 42 species belonging to 21 families were identified. Millettia versicolor (Med. Uvs = 0.46), Autranella congolensis (Med. Uvs = 0.42), Alstonia bonnei (Med. Uvs = 0.39), Bridelia micrantha (Med. Uvs = 0.37), Pentaclethra macrophylla (Med. Uvs = 0.36) and Piptadeniastrum africanum (Med. Uvs = 0.23) are the most useful species in the area following their Med. UVS. The Chi-square test showed that the population's perception of the availability of medicinal species was influenced by age; while the correlation test showed that there is a moderate positive correlation between the number of organs used for a plant and the number of diseases it can treat (T = 0.558, p-value = 0.000). The more a plant is used for several organs at the same time, the more it can treat multiple diseases.
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Ouattara R., Zerbo P., Ouattara A., Sourabie S. and Boussim J. (2023): Endogenous knowledge of plants used in the management of human reproductive disorders in the Sudanian zone of Burkina Faso; Journal of Animal & Plant Sciences (J.Anim.Plant Sci. ISSN 2071-7024) Vol.56(3): 10364 -10377p.
PDL, 2021: Local Development Plan of the Bangengele Chiefdom 2021-2025p.
Salhi S, Fadli M, Zidane L, Douira A, 2010. Floristic and ethnobotanical studies of medicinal plants in the city of Kenitra (Morocco). Lazaroa, 31: 133-146p.
Thomas et al., 2009: Cultural significance of medicinal plant families and species among Quechua farmers in Apillapampa, Bolivia. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 122: 60-67;
Youssouf SYLLA, Dieudonné Kigbafori SILUE, Kigninma OUATTARA and Mamidou Witabouna KONE, (2018): Ethnobotanical study of plants used against malaria by traditional healers and herbalists in the district of Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire); Int. J. Biol. Chem. Sci. 12(3): 1380-1400p.
Zerbo P., Millogo J., Odille G., Nacoulma-Ouedraogo and Van Damme P., 2011: Medicinal plants and medical practices in Burkina Faso: the case of the Sanan. Journal of Wood and Forests of the Tropics, number 307 (1): 41-53p.
Zirihi GN. 2006. Botanical, pharmacological and phytochemical study of some antimalarial and/or immunogenic plants used among the Betes of the Issia department in western Côte d'Ivoire. State Doctoral Thesis, University of Cocody, Abidjan, 126 p. (BNETD, 1997).
Akpi P. B., Houehanou T.D., Yaoitcha A.S., Ahoyo C.C., Gouwakinnou G., Samadori S., Biaou H., Natta A., Houinato M.R.B., 2019: Evaluation of the uses and availability of woody plants used in traditional medicine in the Guineo-Congolese zone of Benin; Ann. UP, Série Sci. Nat. Agron. December 2019; Vol.9 (No.2): 15-28p.
Allabi AC, Busiac K., Ekanmiana V. & Bakiono F., 2011, The use of medicinal plants in self-care in the Agonlin region of Benin. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 133, 234-243.
Ambé ASA. 2006. Inventory of flora and structural study of vegetation in a plot of the Monogaga South classified forest (San-Pedro, Ivory Coast). DEA thesis, University of Cocody Abidjan, 78p.
Amoussou, E., Camberlin, P., Mahé, G., 2012. Impact of climate variability and the Nangbéto dam on the hydrology of the Mono-Couffo system (West Africa). Hydrology Science Journal 57(2), 1-13.
Asse A., Otenge-Yeboah A., Odamtten G. and Simmonds S., 2005: Ethnobotanical study of some Ghanaian anti-malarial plants. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2005, 99 (2): 273 279 p.
Atakpama, 2021: Plants and maternal health care in the Maritime region of Togo. African Annals of Medicine 14(3): e4196-e4206p.
Barnier J., 2013. Everything you never wanted to know about R software without ever wanting to ask. Max Weber Center, CNRS-UMR, 52p.
Bashige CV, Alombong AG, Kamwimba MA, Bakari AS. and Okusa NP: 2020. Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used in the treatment of sexual dysfunctions in traditional medicine in Kampemba Lubumbashi, DR Congo. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews. 7(3):016-28.
Bla KB, Trebissou JND, Bidie A. 2015. Ethnopharmacological study of antimalarial plants used among the Baoulé-N'Gban of Toumodi in central Côte d'Ivoire. J. Appl. Biosci., 85: 7775 7783p.
Brossard B., (2019): “Taking age into consideration in qualitative methods. An attempt at explanation”, SociologieS [Online], Research experiments, What to do with age in the survey? Thinking about the social age relationships between respondents and investigators. SociologieS, (2019) 1 - 11 p.
De Wet H., Nkwanyana MN & van Vuuren SF, 2010, Medicinal plants used for the treatment of diarrhea in northern Maputaland, KwaZulu Natal Province, South Africa. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 130, 2, 284-289.
Djègo, J. and Oumorou, M., 2009. Phytosociology of undergrowth and impact of forest plantations on floristic diversity in the Lama classified forest. Annales des Sciences Agronomiques. 12 (1). http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/asab.v12i1.53834;
Dongock DN, Bonyo AL, Mapongmestem PM. and Bayegone E: 2018. Ethnobotanical and phytochemical study of medicinal plants used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases in Moundou (Chad). International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences, 12(1), 203-216.
Dossou, ME, Houessou, GL, Lougbégnon, OT, Tenté, AHB, Codjia, JTC, 2012. Ethno-botanical study of the woody forest resources of the Agonvè swamp forest and related areas in Benin. Tropicultura 30 (1), 41-48;
Goussanou, C., Tenté, B., Djègo, J., Agbani, P., Sinsin, B., 2011. Inventory, characterization and management methods of some non-timber forest products in the Donga watershed. Annales des Sciences Agronomiques 14, 77–99.
Houmenou V, Adjatin A, Tossou MG, Yedomonhan H, Dansi A, Gbenou J. and Akoegninou A: 2017. Ethnobotanical study of plants used in the treatment of female sterility in the Ouémé and Plateau departments of southern Benin. Int. J. Biol. Chem. Sci., 11(4): 1851-1871.
Kipré GR, Offoumou MBR, Silue KD, Bouabre GM, Zirihi Guédé N, Djaman AJ.2017. Ethnopharmacological survey of antimalarial plants in the department of Agboville, southeastern Ivory Coast. J. Appl. Biosci., 109: 10618-10629p.
Koman SR, Kpan WB, Yao K. and Ouattara D: 2019. Plants used in the traditional treatment of female infertility in the department of Dabakala (Ivory Coast), 14p.
Kvist et al. , Estimating use-values and relative importance of Amazonian flood plain trees and forests to local populations. Commonwealth Forestry Review, 1995, 74 (4): 293-300p.
KYAW TUN U., PE THAN U., STAFF OF TIL, 2006. Family: Fabaceae. In: Myanmar Medicinal Plant Database, University of Rangoon, USA, Update: 08 August 2006.
Moyabi AGA, Coulibaly FA, Konan YAO, Kouakou DKR. and Kone MW: 2021. Medicinal plants used in the treatment of couple infertility in the Department of Oumé, Centre-West, Ivory Coast. Africa SCIENCE, 19 (6), 133-145.
Moyabi AGA, Coulibaly FA, Konan YAO, Kouakou DKR. and Kone MW: 2021. Medicinal plants used in the treatment of couple infertility in the Department of Oumé, Centre-West, Ivory Coast. Africa SCIENCE, 19 (6), 133-145.
Nga E., Kidik Pouka C, Ngo Boumsong PC, Dibong SD, Mpondo E., 2016: Inventory and characterization of medicinal plants used in therapy in the Sanaga Maritime department: Ndom, Ngambe and Pouma. Journal of Applied Biosciences Vol. 106 n° 1; 10333-10352p.
Ngbolua KN, Mihigo SO, Liyongo CI, Ashande MC, Tshibangu DST, Zoawe BG, Baholy R, Fatiany PR. and Mpiana PT. (2022): Ethno-botanical survey of plant species used in traditional medicine in Kinshasa city (Democratic Republic of the Congo). Tropical Plant Research. 3(2): 413–427p.
N'Sanda L. ; Vivi K. ; Akilimali C. ; Kabala K. ; Tabu O. ; Omasombo J. and M'pene Z. (2011): Maniema Space and Lives. ISBN 978-2-8710-6562-3 © Le Cri édition Avenue Léopold Wiener 18 B-1170 Brussels. p.136-137.
Nzuki F., Termote C., Kibungu Kembelo A., and Van Damme P. (2013): Identification and local importance of medicinal plants used in the Mbanza-Ngungu region, Democratic Republic of Congo. Bois et Forêts des Tropiques Vol (316), 63-77p.
Onyumbe, 2022: Inventory of medicinal plants used in the treatment of erectile problems in Makoka, Maniema, DR Congo; unpublished thesis Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, UNIKI, p36;
Ouattara R., Zerbo P., Ouattara A., Sourabie S. and Boussim J. (2023): Endogenous knowledge of plants used in the management of human reproductive disorders in the Sudanian zone of Burkina Faso; Journal of Animal & Plant Sciences (J.Anim.Plant Sci. ISSN 2071-7024) Vol.56(3): 10364 -10377p.
PDL, 2021: Local Development Plan of the Bangengele Chiefdom 2021-2025p.
Salhi S, Fadli M, Zidane L, Douira A, 2010. Floristic and ethnobotanical studies of medicinal plants in the city of Kenitra (Morocco). Lazaroa, 31: 133-146p.
Thomas et al., 2009: Cultural significance of medicinal plant families and species among Quechua farmers in Apillapampa, Bolivia. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 122: 60-67;
Youssouf SYLLA, Dieudonné Kigbafori SILUE, Kigninma OUATTARA and Mamidou Witabouna KONE, (2018): Ethnobotanical study of plants used against malaria by traditional healers and herbalists in the district of Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire); Int. J. Biol. Chem. Sci. 12(3): 1380-1400p.
Zerbo P., Millogo J., Odille G., Nacoulma-Ouedraogo and Van Damme P., 2011: Medicinal plants and medical practices in Burkina Faso: the case of the Sanan. Journal of Wood and Forests of the Tropics, number 307 (1): 41-53p.
Zirihi GN. 2006. Botanical, pharmacological and phytochemical study of some antimalarial and/or immunogenic plants used among the Betes of the Issia department in western Côte d'Ivoire. State Doctoral Thesis, University of Cocody, Abidjan, 126 p. (BNETD, 1997).
Published
2025-09-26
How to Cite
USSENI NASIBU, H., KAPOLI OMBA, D., NGONGO LUSHIMA, J.-P., YAKAYENGO TOKO, A., YUMA MADJALIWA, P., MBAYU MPANYA, F., MUKANDAMA NDOLANDOLA, J.-P., LISINGO WA LISINGO, J., LOMBA BOSOMBO, C., & NSHIMBA SEYA, H. (2025). Local Importance of Wild Woody Plants for Medicinal Use in the Tchambi Region; Maniema (DR Congo). European Journal of Science, Innovation and Technology, 5(4), 162-172. Retrieved from https://ejsit-journal.com/index.php/ejsit/article/view/707
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Copyright (c) 2025 Hilaire USSENI NASIBU, Dan KAPOLI OMBA, Jean-Pierre NGONGO LUSHIMA, Augustin YAKAYENGO TOKO, Pierre YUMA MADJALIWA, Faustin MBAYU MPANYA, Jean-Pierre MUKANDAMA NDOLANDOLA, Janvier LISINGO WA LISINGO, Christophe LOMBA BOSOMBO, Hippolyte NSHIMBA SEYA
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