Local plants for food and health security in Sahel countries: Case of an area in the layout of the great green wall of Burkina Faso.

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Résumé

The increase in new health problems related to an unbalanced diet calls for promoting local plants with
nutritional and therapeutic virtues. A study was conducted in the province of Oubritenga in central
Burkina Faso to know these plants. Twenty five (25) nutritional species with therapeutic virtues and high
use values (UVs ≥ 0.50) have been identified. Results also showed that leaves and fruits were the most
consumed parts (48%). Leaves were also the most used in medicinal recipes (54%). The trunk bark and
fruits were recommended at 28% and 7% respectively. The presence of numerous mineral elements,
vitamins, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and important chemical groups with well-known biological
properties justify the use of these therapeutic food plants. Traditional foods can be an important track in
finding solutions to chronic disease and malnutrition as well as ensuring food and health security in low
income countries.

Mots-clés

Malnutrition, Sahel, health security, medicinal plants