Indigenous knowledge system associated with the uses of insects for therapeutic or medicinal purposes in two main provinces of Burkina Faso, West Africa

Abstract

Background Some insects are harmful to humans, plants and animals, but some of them can also be a source of proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals and be of therapeutic value. The therapeutic potential requires that medicinal insects and their derived products need to be scrutinized. This study highlights the indigenous knowledge related to their use of medicinal insects in peri-urban and urban areas of Burkina Faso. Methods The survey was carried out among 60 traditional healers spread across two phytogeographical zones of Burkina Faso. The questionnaire focused on medicinal insects used by experienced traditional healers. Chi-square tests and principal component analysis were performed to test for significant differences regarding knowledge of how insects in phytogeographically different areas were used therapeutically in connection with different disease categories. Results A total of 19 species of medicinal insects belonging to 6 orders were cited in connection with treatments of at least 78 pathologies and symptoms. Most frequently mentioned was gastroenteritis. Our study showed that 48.78% of the insects and their products were associated with 46 plant species for the treatment of pathologies. In addition, honey, beeswax and nests were the most widely insect products used. Conclusion The current study allows us to identify medicinal insects as well as their products used in the treatment of pathologies and symptoms, suggesting the presence of a considerable diversity of therapeutically important insect species. These insects are used alone and/or with their products but often in association with medicinal plants. The results constitute a useful database for future studies of medicinal insects in central and western parts of Burkina Faso.

Unravelling the potential of insects for medicinal purposes – A comprehensive review

“… Sexual impotence, inflammation, dislocation, congenita malformation, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, articular pain, bone pain, sprain, general fatigue, fracture, gonorrhea, and child malnutrition Topical and Oral [ 38 , 39 ] Pseudacanthotermes spiniger (Sjoestedt) Fungus and bacterial infection Non-specified [ 39 ] Nasutitermes sp. Inflammation Topical [ 39 ] Microtermes obesi (Holmgren) Liver disorder Oral [ 25 ] Trinervitermes sp. Mumps, burn, fracture, iron deficiency, dropsy, inflammation, edemas, wound and vomiting Topical [ 39 ] Coleoptera Bruchidae Pachymerus nucleorum (Fabr.)…”

“… Inflammation Topical [ 39 ] Microtermes obesi (Holmgren) Liver disorder Oral [ 25 ] Trinervitermes sp. Mumps, burn, fracture, iron deficiency, dropsy, inflammation, edemas, wound and vomiting Topical [ 39 ] Coleoptera Bruchidae Pachymerus nucleorum (Fabr.) Earache Non-specified [ 40 ] Cicindelidae Cicindela chinensis (DeGeer) Skin, tumours and gynaecological problems Non-specified [ 26 ] Pheropsophus spp.…”

“… Blisters and warts Topical [ 25 , 28 ] Lytta vesicatoria (Linnaeus) Urinary disorders and aphrodisiac Non-specified [ 8 , 42 ] Berberomeloe majalis (Linnaeus) Warts Non-specified [ 16 ] Pseudomeloe andensis Guérin-Méneville Warts Non-specified [ 16 ] Palembus dermestoides (Farmaire) Sexual impotence, ophthalmological problems, rheumatism, and weakness Non-specified [ 8 , 43 ] Lytta sp. Sickle cell anemia Oral [ 39 ] Scarabaeidae Melolontha vulgaris (Fabricius) Scratches, anemia, and rheumatism Non-specified [ 8 , 12 ] Scarabaeus laticollis (Linnaeus) Painful urination Non-specified [ 39 ] Propomacrus sp. Cough Non-specified [ 1 ] Strategus aloeus (Linnaeus) Aphrodisiac Non-specified ...…”

“… Sickle cell anemia Oral [ 39 ] Scarabaeidae Melolontha vulgaris (Fabricius) Scratches, anemia, and rheumatism Non-specified [ 8 , 12 ] Scarabaeus laticollis (Linnaeus) Painful urination Non-specified [ 39 ] Propomacrus sp. Cough Non-specified [ 1 ] Strategus aloeus (Linnaeus) Aphrodisiac Non-specified [ 8 ] Megasoma actaeon (Linnaeus) Aphrodisiac Non-specified [ 8 ] Tenebrionidae Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) Diabetes and obesity Non-specified [ 44 , 45 ] Palembus dermestoides (Farmaire) Asthma, arthritis, tuberculosis and sexual impotence Non-specified [ 46 ] Blaps sulcata (Laporte de Castelnau) Scorpion bites Non-specified [ 16 ] Tenebrionidae Tenebrio molitor (Linnaeus) Anti-inflammatory (stroke) Non-specified …”

Termites as human foods—A comprehensive review

“…have been used to treat diarrhea, inflammation, headache, and vomiting (Ouango et al., 2022); Nasutitermes spp. for asthma, cough, inflammation, and sore throat (Ferreira et al., 2012; Ouango et al., 2022); and Odontotermes spp. for asthma, ulcer, body pain, and rheumatics (Albuquerque et al., 2012).…”