ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS USED IN TRADITIONAL PEDIATRICS IN THE CITY OF MOUNDOU (LOGONE OCCIDENTAL / CHAD)

Medicinal plants contribute significantly to health improvement in several countries of sub-Saharan Africa. However, despite their multiple benefits, there is very little information about their use among children. The objective of this study was to contribute to the study of medicinal plants used in traditional pediatrics in the Logone Occidental region of Chad. To achieve this objective, an ethnobotanical survey was conducted among 67 people in the city of Moundou. The results showed that the majority (95.52%) of the population in this locality has knowledge of medicinal plants used in traditional pediatrics. Women have more knowledge about medicinal plants used in traditional pediatrics than men. 33 species grouped into 32 genera and 22 families have been recorded. The most represented families are Combretaceae (10%), Poaceae (9%), and Myrtaceae (9%). The most commonly used species are: Moringa oleifera (11%), Zingiber officinale (8%), and Euphorbia hirta (7%). Decoction is the preferred method of preparation at 47%, as well as the oral route for administering the remedies (77%). The most common pathologies are malaria (8%), gastric disorders (7%), and cough (7%). These results could constitute a database for further studies on medicinal plants used in pediatrics in Chad.