The Journal of Phytopharmacology, 2018;7(6):483-494 DOI:10.31254/phyto.2018.7606

Research Article

Ethnobotany of medicinal plants used by the Zafimaniry clan in Madagascar

Andriamalala Rakotondrafara¹ , Roland Rakotondrajaona¹ , Marrino Rakotoarisoa¹ , Michel Ratsimbason¹ , Vincent Emile Rasamison¹ , Stephan Richard Rakotonandrasana¹

Andriamalala Rakotondrafara,Roland Rakotondrajaona,Marrino Rakotoarisoa,Michel Ratsimbason,Vincent Emile Rasamison,Stephan Richard Rakotonandrasana

1. National Center for Applied Pharmaceutical Research, Ambodivoanjo. Rue Rahajarizafy A.P., BP. 702 Antananarivo (101), Madagascar

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received: 13th August, 2018 / Accepted: 17th November, 2018

Abstract

During an ethnobotanical survey conducted among the Zafimaniry clan in the Amoron'i Mania region of Madagascar, 164 medicinal plants species from 138 genera and 73 families are recorded to be used by local people to treat 65 different types of human diseases. The most prescribed species belong to Asteraceae (30 species), Fabaceae (8 species), Rubiaceae (7 species) Poaceae (6 species) and Solanaceae (7 species) botanical families. Helichrysum was the most cited genus with 6 species. The main pathologies treated with medicinal plants are abdominal colic (10.5%) using 25 species, cough (7.2%, 23 species), intestinal parasites (6.3%, 20 species) and diarrhea (5.8%, 25 species). The vernacular names and the recipes of used plants are also reported. Data are collected by interviewing 191 informants aged between 16 and 100 using standardized questionnaires. The present study shows that the Zafimaniry people use a large number of medicinal plants for their primary health care. Some of the recorded plants are new in the Malagasy ethnopharmacopoeia.