Diversity of plants used to treat respiratory diseases in Tubah, northwest region, Cameroon

Abstract

This study was conducted in Tubah subdivision, Northwest region, Cameroon, aiming at identifying plants used to treat respiratory diseases. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to interview members of the population including traditional healers, herbalists, herb sellers, and other villagers. The plant parts used as well as the modes of preparation and administration were recorded. Fifty four plant species belonging to 51 genera and 33 families were collected and identified by their vernacular and scientific names. The Asteraceae was the most represented family (6 species) followed by the Malvaceae (4 species). The families Asclepiadaceae, Musaceae and Polygonaceae were represented by one species each. The plant part most frequently used to treat respiratory diseases in the study was reported as the leaf. Of the 54 plants studied, 36 have been documented as medicinal plants in Cameroon’s pharmacopoeia. However, only nine of these have been reported to be used in the treatment of respiratory diseases.   Key words: Medicinal plants, Tubah subdivision, respiratory diseases, diversity.