Food plants used during traditional wrestling in Kabyè land of Togo

Pan Afr Med J. 2016 Feb 3:23:25. doi: 10.11604/pamj.2016.23.25.7719. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

Introduction: In the traditional sports like the fight, natural products from minerals, animals and plants are used to increase physical resistance and performance. For a better understanding of this practice, an ethnopharmacological survey was carried out in kabyè land, North of Togo, to identify current plants used as foods plants during traditional wrestling.

Methods: Ethnopharmacological data were collected through semi-structured method and personal interviews in the Kabyè locality during traditional wrestling. At least, twelve villages were surveyed in the study.

Results: Results indicated that 57 plants are widely used by local people as food plants generally during wrestling time. These plants are used traditionally for many others purposes.

Conclusion: We concluded that these plants may serve as sources for pharmacological investigations in physical performance improvement.

Keywords: Kabyè land; food plants; traditional wrestling.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Ethnopharmacology
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Plant Preparations / administration & dosage*
  • Plants, Edible / chemistry*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Togo
  • Wrestling*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Plant Preparations