Etat des connaissances des plantes indigènes d’intérêt socio-économique du Burundi : « cas des plantes comestibles et médicinales pour l’homme »

Abstract

A study on indigenous edible and medicinal plants was carried out to highlight the state of play of traditional knowledge on the medicinal and food uses of indigenous plants in Burundi. The data were obtained through the literature review of documents related to ethnobotanical studies of the flora of Burundi. In total, the information contained in 103 research papers was collected and compiled in an Excel file. Ethnobotanical clues have enabled us to highlight the information contained in these data. Eighty-three species belonging to forty-six families are known by the Burundian population as both medicinal and edible plants. The Solanaceae family is the most abundant and the majority of families are represented by less than five species. The edible parts of these plants are basically fruits followed by leaves. The leaves are more used in the preparation of medicines. The decoction and the oral route are respectively the most widely used methods of preparation and administration. One hundred and thirty-four diseases cited are grouped into nine categories. The degree of agreement among informants is particularly high for the treatment of diseases of the digestive system, major syndromes and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Informants prove relatively weak agreement on the treatment of diseases of the female reproductive system and obstetrics and diseases of the throat, nose and nervous system. 20 flagship species were identified based on their high use value, nutritional and phytochemical value validated by scientific references. The active ingredients (Tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponosides, etc.) found in these plants have been pointed out in phytochemical studies carried out elsewhere in other countries. Innovations on the indigenous edible and medicinal plants of Burundi, especially in the field of pharmacy, could be implemented to enhance the biological resources of Burundi as well as the traditional knowledge of the Burundian population. Following the gradual decline of native plants in anthropogenic environments, programs for the domestication of native plants accompanied by sustainable management measures must be undertaken in order to revitalize the transmission of knowledge on native plants and ensure the sustainability of raw materials for pharmaceutical industries.