Traditional medicines containing animal parts: Use in Kowa and Dasse chiefdoms, Southern Sierra Leone

Abstract

The use of animals in traditional remedies is a prevalent practice in rural Sierra Leone, although it lacks sufficient research. The research seeks to record the utilisation of animals in the management of human diseases, by identifying the specific species involved and assessing their conservation status. The data for the study was collected using Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) procedures, which involved 40 key informants. Results indicate that local communities employ 45 species from diverse genera and families to address 40 distinct health conditions. Reptiles are the most frequently utilised taxonomic group, followed by amphibians, mammals, primates, birds, and insects. S. regularis exhibited the highest use value, with A. mellifera, A. marginata, C. civetta, and R. aegyptiacus respectively. There are seven species (C. diana, P. tricuspis, O. tetrapsi, K. belliana, C. senegalensis, C. zebra and P. sebae) that are internationally recognised as being in need of conservation efforts. This study emphasis the incorporation of indigenous knowledge into the management of these resources and the establishment of efficient administrative structures to ensure the responsible utilisation of restorative animals.