Plants used in traditional medicine in the Comoros archipelago. A review

Abstract

Introduction. In the Comoros archipelago, as in many places in Africa, traditional medicine is the first reflex people have when it comes to finding a cure. This work illustrates the diversity of remedies found in this group of islands. The plant species potentially effective from a pharmaceutical point of view can be targeted through the comparison of different databases. The present study also illustrates the importance of preventing the loss of traditional knowledge based on hundreds of years of observations. Literature. The information in this paper originates from databases built by ethnobotanists as well as peer reviewed scientific articles. In addition, some information also come from work done by locals working with recognized organisms. Conclusions. The scientific literature cites 207 different species that are used for traditional practices in the Comoros archipelago, among which 9 are endemic. These species were compared to the pharmacopoeias of other islands and surroundings from the Indian Ocean in terms of similarities and differences between targeted ailments. Only 3% of the cited species present similarities in use among the islands of the Indian Ocean and surroundings.

Keywords

• traditional medicines
• ethnobotany
• indian ocean
• comoros