Indigenous Healing Practices in Traditional African Medicine: An Ethnobotanical Framework across West Africa in Gabon

Traditional African medicine practices, including indigenous healing, are deeply rooted in local ecosystems and cultural contexts across West Africa. In Gabon, these practices often incorporate ethnobotanical elements to treat ailments such as pain, fever, and infections. The study employs a combination of ethnographic interviews, traditional knowledge surveys, and botanical fieldwork to document the use of medicinal plants by communities across Gabon. Ethnobotanical data is analysed using thematic analysis to identify patterns in plant usage and effectiveness. This framework not only highlights the importance of ethnobotany in understanding indigenous healing but also underscores the potential for plant-based remedies to complement modern healthcare systems in Gabon and beyond. Further research should focus on validating ethnobotanical findings through controlled clinical trials, while policy recommendations aim to integrate traditional knowledge into national health strategies to enhance community access to natural remedies.