ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF FOUR PLANTS USED AS MEDICINAL IN NGAZIDJA ISLAND

In Comoros Islands, traditional medicine is taken an important place in sanitary system but few written information exist about that. This study aims to investigate the different uses of some plants in indigenous care system. Four plants used in Ngazidja Island were chosen. Total of 128 persons aged between 45 and 100 years were interviewed in 11 villages localized in rural areas. 80% of each was women. Results demonstrated the large use of these plants. Eighteen medicinal uses were recensed for all plants. Used to treat fifteen diseases, Cassia occidentalis was used for treatment of most diseases. However used to treat twelve diseases, Psidium guajava and Tambourissa comorensis are the least used. Euphorbia hirta is itself used against thirteen diseases. This study has been demonstrated the important use of these plants in Comorian folkloric medicine and their ability to treat several diseases