Table 5 Therapeutic usages of termite mound soil by ethnic groups of Atacora department
Treated diseases | Ethnic groups | Termite mounds of species | Mode of usage |
|---|---|---|---|
Broken limbs in humans and animals | Biali, M’bermin, Ditamari | Macrotermes subhyalinus Macrotermes bellicosus | Heat the soil of termite mounds with water and massage the broken limb with the obtained decoction or use it as plaster |
Umbilical dermatoses | Waama | Macrotermes subhyalinus Trinervitermes oeconomus | Crush the soil of the termite mound, mix with water, and apply externally the obtained paste around the navel |
Squirrel bites | M’bermin | Macrotermes subhyalinus | Dig the large termite mounds and introduce the part bitten by the squirrel in and close the termite mound. The soldiers will bite the inserted part and thus will neutralize rabies transmitted by the squirrel |
Mumps | Ditamari | Macrotermes bellicosus | Mix the soil of termite mounds with water and smear the obtained dough on the cheeks |