By Sandrine Gallois, Miroslav Pulgar, Chiara Broccatelli, Stijn van Bemmel, Appolinaire Ambassa, Eric Ngansop, Tinde van Andel, José Luis Molina, and Victoria Reyes-García

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Indigenous Peoples, like the Baka of southeastern Cameroon, rely heavily on plants and traditional botanical and medicinal knowledge to care for their health. However, social and ecological changes are putting their healthcare systems at risk.

In this study, we explored how the Baka use medicinal plants to treat illness and how their system is adapting to these changes. We worked with 263 Baka individuals, including adults and children, across two settlements. Using interviews, forest walks, and plant collection, we documented over 280 plant species used to treat more than 100 health issues. This knowledge adds up to 1,187 unique remedies, each one a specific pairing of a single plant species with one health issue. We found that some health problems are well supported by plant-based remedies, while others remain less covered, implying that they might be more difficult to treat. Around 40 important species are also under threat from logging and trade.

Our findings show how valuable Baka knowledge is for community health. They also underline the importance of protecting both the environment and cultural practices to support the health and well-being of Indigenous Peoples.