Ethnobotanical Knowledge and Sociolinguistic Variability of Plants Used in the Treatment of Hypertension in the Prefecture of Faranah (Upper Guinea)

Abstract Hypertension (HTN) is an expanding health condition in West Africa, particularly in rural areas where populations have limited access to modern medical care. In the Republic of Guinea, within the Prefecture of Faranah, communities rely on traditional medicine, drawing on ancient knowledge transmitted by local sociolinguistic groups. This study aims to document the plants used to treat HTN and to analyze their use according to geographical areas and sociolinguistic groups (Malinké, Peulh, Kissi, etc.). The ethnobotanical survey, conducted in the urban commune (Faranah center) and four rural communes (Banian, Beindou, Kobikoro, Tindo), collected data from 25 traditional healers belonging to different sociolinguistic groups (SLGs). Fifty-two (52) plant species belonging to 29 families were identified. The most frequently cited species are Hibiscus sabdariffa, Allium sativum, and Moringa oleifera. Differences in usage frequency across SLGs and geographical zones highlight the importance of local culture in therapeutic choices. The findings advocate for the integration of indigenous knowledge into the national public health strategy.