Application of Ethnobotanical Indices in the Utilization of Five Medicinal Herbaceous Plant Species in Benin, West Africa

The ethnobotanical utilization of five neglected herbaceous species, Argemone mexicana L., Heliotropium indicum Kedrostis foetidissima (Jacq.) Cogn., Peperomia pellucida (L.) Kunth and Schrankia leptocarpa DC. was investigated in Southern Benin to determine the ethnomedicinal magic knowledge on them. Thirty-six herbal medicine traders were surveyed six different markets three districts. Four indices used. All informants traded A. majority H. indicum, K. foetidissima, P. pellucida. Purchases traders’ own single most important source demanded by customers. Traders reported scarcity availability S. leptocarpa, mainly used treat hypertension fever. Similarly, mostly mentioned treatment facilitate childbirth. served religious animist purposes. as being implant a vodun, traditional religion West Africa. babies just after umbilical cord fall well jaundice. exhibited highest Use Value (UV), there very low similarity between study species terms uses. did not plant although they serve various social conditions. We suggest better management through collection for trading medicinal while planting is required because their scarcity. should be preserved wherever it occurs.