Ethnobotanical Survey of Herbal Teas Consumed in Uíge Province, Angola: Part 1

Abstract

Background: This ethnobotanical study is the first based on the herbal teas or tisanes consumed in Angola, specifically in Uíge province. The aims of this study were to document traditional knowledge related to the use of herbal teas and then assess their floristic diversity.Methods: Field research was conducted between January to December 2022, in both rural and urban areas of Uíge province. Ethnobotanical methods included participatory observation, semi-structured interviews, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. These were used to obtain detailed information on plants used to brew herbal teas. A total of 150 informants (including 18 key informants) were interviewed.Results: A total of 60 species of herbal teas distributed in 48 genera and 27 families are used by the local population in Uíge province. Of these 58.63% are indigenous and 41.37% are exotic species. The most frequently used part was the leaf (62.5%), and the most frequently used preparation methods were decoction (68.7%), and infusion (31.3%). In addition, these plants are mainly used for other purposes, such as phytomedicines (71.6%), and bioenergy (14.1%). Regarding the medicinal use of tisanes, most are used to treat or prevent coughs (23.3%), and anemia (20%). Conclusion:It is important to implement the systematic protection of wild plant resources and the establishment of botanical gardens in order to provide a sustainable source of production of these herbal teas, which also contribute to the income of local farmers. This would benefit, the quality of the products, and support environmental and human well-being.

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“…Figure3). The predominance of pantropical species in this study show that the local flora has undergone some contact with flora with eastern and southern affinities, through the cultivation of exotic plantsMawunu et al (2023);Menga et al (2022).…”

“…It consists of identifying the subject's competent informant, and after investigation, it indicates another competent informant in the same community. This process continued until the whole competent expert informant was investigated in the study (Mawunu et al, 2023;K.N. Ngbolua, 2020).…”