Title : Importance of animals in traditional medicine: Case of the treatment of epilepsy with natural products based on some bird organs, in Abidjan, Cote d'ivoire
Abstract:
Context: In rural areas, traditional medicine is one of the first resorts for a large number of populations. Sometimes, it is used to complement modern medicine, especially in the treatment of certain complex pathologies such as epilepsy. This medicine uses ethnomedicine, which, in turn, is largely based on ethnobotany. Thus, in the context of knowing whether ethnozoology can also be useful for this traditional medicine, we conducted a study in the communes of Adjamé and Attécoubé, which are full of a large number of animal organ traders and traditional healers in the city of Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. The main objective of this study was to find out whether traditional healers also use animal organs, mainly those of birds, in the treatment of complex diseases such as epilepsy.
Methodology: For three weeks, from May to June 2022, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 130 bird organ sellers and naturotherapists based in the communes of Adjamé and Attécoubé, in Abidjan. These people verbally gave their free consent after explaining the objectives of the study. Based on this objective, we determined the citation frequency of each species.
Results: Traditional healers also use animal organs, especially those of birds, to treat epilepsy. Thus, 12 species of birds from 9 families are used in this treatment. This list includes White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus Linnaeus, 1758 and Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia Linnaeus, 1758 which are migratory species. The most cited species is Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotos (Forster, JR, 1796) (HR = 6.87). It is followed by Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia Linnaeus, 1758 (FC = 2.67) and Grey Parrot Psittacus erithacus Linnaeus, 1758 (FC = 1.53). In the treatment of epilepsy, the whole bird and the head have the highest rate of use with 38% each. And each organ has its own process of use to treat this pathology.
Conclusion: Organs of 12 species of birds, including 2 migratory birds, are used to treat epilepsy. These results promote the close link between ethnoornithology and traditional medicine. They make it possible to understand that animal organs contain substances with therapeutic value that are very useful for treating humans. However, from a conservation point of view, this work opens up the conditions of use of migratory species.
Audience Take Away Notes
- Animal organs are also used in traditional medicine
- Ethnozoology is also associated with the promotion of traditional medicine
- 12 species of birds from 9 families are useg in the treatment of epilepsy.
- 2 Migratory species are used in this treatment
- 3 species are more cited: The Northern Vulture Torgos tracheliotos (Forster, JR, 1796) (FC = 6.87), Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia Linné, 1758 (FC = 2.67) and Grey Parrot Psittacus erithacus Linnaeus, 1758 (FC = 1, 53).
- The whole bird and the head are the part most used by naturotherapists writh 38%.
