Orapuh Journal | Journal of Oral & Public Health
Ethnobotanical survey on plants reputed as aphrodisiacs in Lubumbashi and its surroundings
PDF

Keywords

Ethnobotany
Aphrodisiac plants
Lubumbashi
Sexual dysfunction

How to Cite

KABEYA, J. K., MBUYU, E. I., MUAMBA, L. M., DIKALA, F. O., MUNAKONGO, D. E., MALOBA , J. M., MBUYI , S. K., MBAYO , M. K., KANANGILA, A. B., KALONDA , E. M., & LUMBU, J.-B. S. (2025). Ethnobotanical survey on plants reputed as aphrodisiacs in Lubumbashi and its surroundings . Orapuh Journal, 6(9), e1288. https://doi.org/10.4314/orapj.v6i9.88

Abstract

Introduction

Despite the scarcity of studies on plant-based aphrodisiacs in this region, this research aims to address the gap by documenting local knowledge. The study sought to identify plants reputed to have aphrodisiac properties in Lubumbashi and its surroundings and to describe their traditional uses.

Purpose

To conduct an ethnobotanical investigation of plants reputed as aphrodisiacs in Lubumbashi and its surrounding areas.

Methods

This descriptive ethnobotanical study employed a semi-structured questionnaire administered to 35 key informants. The survey identified 52 plant species reputed to have aphrodisiac properties. The collected data underwent descriptive analysis to determine the most frequently cited species and their modes of use.

Results

We documented 52 plant species belonging to 31 families, with Fabaceae being the most represented (13.5%). Decoction (62.5%) was the predominant preparation method, and oral administration (74.8%) the most common route. The underground parts of plants were most frequently used (45.9%), particularly roots (40.7%). Among the 35 respondents (54.3% men, mean age ≈ 50 years), sexual weakness (39.4%) and low libido (26.8%) were the most frequently reported conditions treated.

Conclusion

These findings provide a valuable database on aphrodisiac plants in the region, highlight Fabaceae taxa for phytochemical screening, and support the integration of traditional remedies into sexual health research.

https://doi.org/10.4314/orapj.v6i9.88
PDF

References

Adesina, S. K. (2005). The Nigerian Zanthoxylum: Chemical and biological values. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicines, 2, 282–301. https://doi.org/10.4314/ajtcam.v2i3.31128

Baka, K. H., Moudouni, S. M., Sanda, G., Sadiki, B., Lakmichi, A. M., Dahami, Z., & Sarf, I. (2017). Prévalence de la dysfonction érectile en urologie. African Journal of Urology, 23(4), 327–330. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.afju.2017.05.003

Bakari, A. (2015). Étude ethnobotanique, chimique et activité biologique de plantes utilisées contre le diabète en médecine traditionnelle congolaise (Thèse de doctorat). Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques, UNILU.

Bakari, A., Mwamba, M., Lumbu, S., Duez, P., & Kahumba, B. (2018). Ethnobotanical survey of herbs used in the management of diabetes mellitus in Southern Katanga Area/DR Congo. Pan African Medical Journal, 30, 218.

Bashige, C. V., Bakari, A. S., Mbuyi, K. S., Kahumba, B. J., Duez, P., & Lumbu, S. J.-B. (2017). Étude ethnobotanique, phytochimique et activité antiplasmodiale de 13 plantes réputées antipaludéennes dans la commune du Kenya (Lubumbashi, RDC). Phytothérapie, 1–10.

Bashige, C. V., Bakari, A. S., Numbi, W. I. E., Kalonda, M. E., Okusa, N. P., Kahumba, B. J., & Lumbu, S. J.-B. (2018). Criblage phytochimique et activité antimicrobienne de sept fleurs comestibles utilisées en médecine traditionnelle à Lubumbashi (RDC). Journal of Applied Biosciences, 124, 12455–12467.

Bitsindou, M. (1986). Enquête sur la phytothérapie traditionnelle à Kindamba et Odzala (Congo) (Mémoire inédit). Université Libre de Bruxelles.

Chaaib, F., Queiroz, E. F., Ndjoko, K., Diallo, D., & Hostettmann, K. (2003). Antifungal and antioxidant compounds from the root bark of Fagara zanthoxyloides. Planta Medica, 69(4), 316–320. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2003-38877

Chabrier, J.-Y. (2010). Plantes médicinales et formes d’utilisation en phytothérapie. Université Henri Poincaré.

Cheikhyoussef, A. (2011). Ethnobotanical study of indigenous knowledge on medicinal plant use by traditional healers in Oshikoto region, Namibia. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 7, 1–11.

Dongmo, M. (2009). Évaluation de l’activité anti-dermatiphytique de Acalypha mania et Tristema hirtum (Mémoire de Master). Université de Bamako, Mali.

Dikala, F., Ngoy, E., Maloba, J., Mbayo, M., Kanda, J., Munakongo, D., … Lumbu, J.-B. (2024). Ethnobotanical studies of reputed aphrodisiac plants used in traditional medicine in Haut-Katanga in DR of Congo. International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology, 3317–3334. https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/IJISRT24MAY2042

Droupy, S. (2005). Épidémiologie et physiopathologie de la dysfonction érectile. Annales d’Urologie, 39(2), 71–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anuro.2005.04.004

Droupy, S. (2005). Troubles de l’érection : épidémiologie, physiopathologie et prise en charge actuelle. La Revue du Praticien, 55(1), 53–58.

Hostettmann, K., Marston, A., Ndjoko, K., & Wolfender, J.-L. (2000). The potential of African plants as a source of drugs. Current Organic Chemistry, 4, 973–1010.

James, G. (2014). Présentation du Congo (Édition intégrale). Gilad James Mystery School.

Kahumba, B. (2000). Contribution à l’étude des Euphorbiaceae utilisés en médecine traditionnelle à Lubumbashi (Mémoire DES, UNILU).

Kalunga, M. R. (2021). Étude ethnobotanique, chimique et d’activités biologiques de plantes réputées anti-schistosomiase dans le Haut-Katanga (RD Congo) (Thèse de doctorat, UNILU).

Kouassi, R. Y. W., McGraw, S. W., Yao, P. K., Abou-Bacar, A., Brunet, J., Pesson, B., … Candolfi, E. (2015). Diversity and prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in seven non-human primates of the Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire. Parasite, 22, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1051/parasite/2015001

Leslie, S. W., & Sooriyamoorthy, T. (2024). Erectile Dysfunction. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562253/

Lumbu, S., Kahumba, B., Kahambwe, T., Mbayo, K., & Kalonda, M. (2005). Contribution à l'étude de quelques plantes médicinales antidiarrhéiques en usage dans la ville de Lubumbashi et ses environs. Pharmacie, 3, 75–86.

Manya, M. H. (2020). Étude de Porphyrostemma chevalieri, une plante réputée antipaludéenne dans la région de Bukavu et d’Uvira (Thèse de doctorat, ULB–UNILU).

Marie, J. (2011). L’angoisse dans la clinique : de Freud à Lacan. Université Toulouse II. https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00713104

Mbuyi, K. S. (2022). Étude phytochimique et activités biologiques des plantes antipaludéennes dans le Haut-Katanga (Thèse de doctorat, UNILU).

Memvanga, P. B., Tona, G. L., Mesia, G. K., Lusakibanza, M. M., & Cimanga, R. K. (2015). Antimalarial activity of medicinal plants from the Democratic Republic of Congo: A review. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 169, 76–98.

Mimoun, S., & Chaussin, E. (1999). Les troubles de la sexualité. Dans L'univers masculin, pp. 149–198. Paris: Le Seuil.

Mujinga, W., Lwamba, J., Mutala, S., & Hüsken, S. M. C. (2009). Inventaire des espèces de poisson disponibles sur les marchés urbains de Lubumbashi (RDC). WorldFish Center, Project Report 1982.

Mulamba, M. K. J. (2017). Isolement, caractérisation et activité antipaludéenne de la 1,3,6-trihydroxy-2-méthoxy anthraquinone de Cyphostemma vanmeelii (Thèse de doctorat, UNILU).

Ndjoko, K., & Hostettmann, K. (2000). Secondary metabolites and ethnobotanical use of African plants. In Medicinal Plant Research.

Newman, D. J., & Cragg, G. M. (2016). Natural products as sources of new drugs from 1981 to 2014. Journal of Natural Products, 79(3), 629–661. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jnatprod.5b01055

Ngoy, K. (2013). Étude phytochimique de Crossopteryx febrifuga et Terminalia mollis (Thèse de doctorat, UNILU).

Ondele, R., Ossibi, E., Bassoueka, J., Peneme, B., Itou, E., Massengo, B., & Abena, A. (2015). Toxicité aiguë et effet aphrodisiaque de l’extrait aqueux de Rauvolfia obscura. Afrique SCIENCE, 11, 172–180.

Pandey, A. K., Kumar, P., & Saxena, M. K. (2011). Essential oils: Sources, extraction and identification. In K. V. Peter (Ed.), Handbook of Herbs and Spices (Vol. 2, pp. 58–74). Woodhead Publishing.

Petit, R. J., Bialozyt, R., Garnier-Géré, P., & Hampe, A. (2004). Ecology and genetics of tree invasions. Forest Ecology and Management, 197, 117–137.

Raji, Y., Udoh, U. S., & Akinsomisoye, O. S. (2003). Reproductive functions in male rats treated with methanolic extract of Alchornea cordifolia. Asian Journal of Andrology, 5(1), 43–47.

Salhi, S., Fadli, M., Zidane, L., et al. (2010). Étude floristique et ethnobotanique des plantes médicinales de la ville de Kénitra (Maroc). Lazaroa, 31, 133–146. https://doi.org/10.5209/rev_LAZA.2010.v31.9

Shaeer, O., Shaeer, K., & Shaeer, M. (2003). Erectile dysfunction among Arabic-speaking Internet users in the Middle East. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 10(2), 531–536.

Seigler, D. S. (2006). Plant secondary metabolism. In E. A. Nilsen & D. M. E. Koller (Eds.), Mechanisms and the ecology of herbivory (pp. 305–330). Springer.

Sztajzel, J. (2013). Sexualité et troubles du rythme cardiaque. Revue Médicale Suisse, (378), 616–619.

Ventegodt, S., & Merrick, J. (2008). Theory of sexuality and psychological causes of sexual problems. In Psychological Sexual Dysfunctions (pp. 121–146).

Ventola, C. (2013). “Où est mon andrologue ?”: Le tabou masculin en santé sexuelle et reproductive. Université de Science politique. https://dumas.ccsd.cnrs.fr/dumas-00808325

Watcho, P., Fanso, F. K., Zelefack, F., Kamanyi, A., & Nguelefack, T. B. (2009). Aphrodisiac and fertility enhancing effects of Ficus asperifolia in male rats. African Health Sciences, 9(2), 93–97.

Wink, M. (2013). Evolution of secondary metabolites in legumes (Fabaceae). South African Journal of Botany, 89, 164–175.

Yakubu, M. T., Akanji, M. A., Oladiji, A. T., & Adesokan, A. A. (2005). Effect of aqueous extract of Massularia acuminata on sexual behaviour of male Wistar rats. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2(1), 93–99.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.