Abstract

The medicinal plants used for the treatment of prostate diseases and related efficiency in Foumban were reviewed based on the ethnobotanic, some chemical and biochemical reports. A total of 40 plants species belonging to 29 families have been used to prepare 27 remedies, for treatment of specific prostate ailments such as prostatitis, prostatic adenoma (benign tumour hypertrophy) and cancer of prostate. Two plant species (Raphia mambillensis and Vernonia guineensis) are those widely used, the more valued being V. guineensis, called “Guinea ginseng” by traditional healers. Some of the plant species, including Allium cepa, Allium sativum, Arachis hypogaea, Carica papaya, Cucurbita pepo, Elaeis guineensis, Ipomoea batatas,Ocimum basilicum and Prunus africana are known to yield constituents treating prostate diseases.

Key words: Medicinal plants, prostatic diseases, Foumban, Cameroon.