Linking language, knowledge, and the environment: The case of plants in Bimbia

Abstract

The importance of medicinal plants in traditional practices cannot be
undermined giving that medicinal plants have gained much interest in current research and the conservation of our biodiversity (Terashima, 2003). However, information on the use of plants for traditional medicine in the South West Region of Cameroon is lacking. This study documents the linguistic and the biodiversity of plant resources used by the local inhabitants as treatment or cure for various ailments. From an anthropological and ecolinguistic approach, the following research techniques: participatory observations, visits to the field, and questionnaire surveys were used to elicit information on the uses of the
plants. It was discovered that over 73 plant species are commonly used by the Isubu people for treating over 40 diseases and disorders. The highest number of species is used for stomach disorders, followed by cold, cough and fever and gastrointestinal disorders, such as constipation, gastritis, worms, etc. For instance, the dried leaves of tobacco (nicotiana tabacum) are used as a treatment for hiccough. Similarly, the use of màsèpò (ocimum gratissimun L. Forsk) together with other plants for the preparation of a traditional recipe for the treatment for malaria. The Documentation of the language and knowledge on plants used as traditional medicines is, therefore, necessary so that the knowledge can be preserved and the utilized plants conserved and used sustainably. The current investigation, therefore, attempts to fill some of the gaps in indigenous knowledge related to the use of herbal medicines in the  South West Region of Cameroon, emphasizing their role in basic human health care.