Abstract

An ethnobotanical survey was conducted from 1st April to 30th September 2005 among populations living inside and around the National Park of Kalamaloué in the far north of Cameroon. The survey aimed at identifying the plants used in the general pharmacopoeia among local ethnic groups using interviews with households who have a rich knowledge on the plants. A total of 36 medicinal plants were recorded from 37 informants comprising 30 genera and 23 families. Diarrhoea, malaria/fever, rheumatism, wound and cough were the major ailments treated in these households. Piliostigma reticulatum, Tamarindus indica, Balanites aegyptiaca, Azadirachta indica, and Mitragyna inermis were the most cited plants. These plants are also known for similar usages in other African countries and some of them are confirmed in literature to possess biological activity related to ailments indicated.

Key words: Medicinal plants, general pharmacopoeia, Kalamaloué National Park.