<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><!DOCTYPE article  PUBLIC "-//NLM//DTD Journal Publishing DTD v3.0 20080202//EN" "http://dtd.nlm.nih.gov/publishing/3.0/journalpublishing3.dtd"><article xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" dtd-version="3.0" xml:lang="en" article-type="research article"><front><journal-meta><journal-id journal-id-type="publisher-id">OALibJ</journal-id><journal-title-group><journal-title>Open Access Library Journal</journal-title></journal-title-group><issn pub-type="epub">2333-9705</issn><publisher><publisher-name>Scientific Research Publishing</publisher-name></publisher></journal-meta><article-meta><article-id pub-id-type="doi">10.4236/oalib.1103390</article-id><article-id pub-id-type="publisher-id">OALibJ-74418</article-id><article-categories><subj-group subj-group-type="heading"><subject>Articles</subject></subj-group><subj-group subj-group-type="Discipline-v2"><subject>Biomedical&amp;Life Sciences</subject><subject> Business&amp;Economics</subject><subject> Chemistry&amp;Materials Science</subject><subject> Computer Science&amp;Communications</subject><subject> Earth&amp;Environmental Sciences</subject><subject> Engineering</subject><subject> Medicine&amp;Healthcare</subject><subject> Physics&amp;Mathematics</subject><subject> Social Sciences&amp;Humanities</subject></subj-group></article-categories><title-group><article-title>
 
 
  Plants Used by Pregnant Women at Kipushi City in Democratic Republic of Congo: Prevalence and Indications
 
</article-title></title-group><contrib-group><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Khang</surname><given-names>Imvar Esther</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"><sup>1</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Kataka</surname><given-names>Zabadi Kleph</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"><sup>1</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Kaki</surname><given-names>Khang Mariette</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff2"><sup>2</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Yayila</surname><given-names>Nsimba Sylvie</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff2"><sup>2</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Wetshi</surname><given-names>Ongona Tchomba Andre</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"><sup>1</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Lakula</surname><given-names>Niclette</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff3"><sup>3</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Kabamba</surname><given-names>Nzaji Michel</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff4"><sup>4</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Kalonji</surname><given-names>Ndumba Jean Baptiste</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff5"><sup>5</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Luboya</surname><given-names>Numbi Oscar</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff6"><sup>6</sup></xref></contrib></contrib-group><aff id="aff5"><addr-line>Department of Galenic Pharmacy and Drug Analyzes, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo</addr-line></aff><aff id="aff6"><addr-line>Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Lubumbashi University, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo</addr-line></aff><aff id="aff2"><addr-line>Nursing, Higher Institute of Medical Techniques of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo</addr-line></aff><aff id="aff4"><addr-line>Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kamina, Kamina, Democratic Republic of Congo</addr-line></aff><aff id="aff3"><addr-line>Management &amp;amp; Biomedical Technology Section, Nutrition and Dietetics Department, Institute of Higher Medical Techniques of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo</addr-line></aff><aff id="aff1"><addr-line>Management &amp;amp; Biomedical Technology Section, Medical Biology Department, Institute of Higher Medical Techniques of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo</addr-line></aff><pub-date pub-type="epub"><day>04</day><month>02</month><year>2017</year></pub-date><volume>04</volume><issue>02</issue><fpage>1</fpage><lpage>8</lpage><history><date date-type="received"><day>January</day>	<month>19,</month>	<year>2017</year></date><date date-type="rev-recd"><day>Accepted:</day>	<month>February</month>	<year>24,</year>	</date><date date-type="accepted"><day>February</day>	<month>27,</month>	<year>2017</year></date></history><permissions><copyright-statement>&#169; Copyright  2014 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. </copyright-statement><copyright-year>2014</copyright-year><license><license-p>This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</license-p></license></permissions><abstract><p>
 
 
   
   The use of plants in our immediate environment in primary health care in Africa and especially among the poor, is a very common practice. Our study aimed to determine the profile and frequency of pregnant using medicinal plants; and to identify medicinal plants most frequently used during pregnancy. We have done a descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted for up March 2014 to June 2014, on a sample of 400 pregnant women who consulted health centers of the city Kipushi during prenatal consultations. Of a total of 400 pregnant consulted during the investigation period, 30% or 7.5% used medicinal plants, 46.67% had an age between 26 and 30 years, the majority of pregnant or 56.67% had a secondary consideration; 13 pregnant using medicinal plants is 43.33% were multiparous pregnant while 10, 33.33% were large multiparous pregnant 12% or 40% were married and 9% or 30% of pregnant were single. The Birsocorpus orientaris was the most used plants in pregnant or 16.67% of pregnant monitoring and Uapaca kirkiana, Ficus capensis or 13.33% and 10% of these used the pregnant Thespesia garckeana, Hibiscus cannabinus or Liposes. These results provide the basis for subsequent studies to experimentally evaluate the potential of these plants. This will make available for women in labor, new substances of natural origin. 
  
 
</p></abstract><kwd-group><kwd>Medicinal Plants</kwd><kwd> Pregnant Women</kwd><kwd> Prevalence</kwd><kwd> Indication</kwd></kwd-group></article-meta></front><body><sec id="s1"><title>1. Introduction</title><p>For centuries and even millennia, our ancestors used plants to relieve their pain, heal their ailments and heal their wounds. From generation to generation, they passed on their knowledge and simple experiments by working when they could record them in writing [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74418-ref1">1</xref>] .</p><p>At the moment when humanity is facing all kinds of diseases and where the care of health issues is proving a real social problem, especially in developing countries with inadequate resources result in low economic systems. A use of readily available local resources constitutes a real workaround and that in view of the Millennium Development Goals. Despite advances in biology and medicine of the time, the majority of people in developing countries lack access to adequate health care due to low economic systems. For this reason, the plant resources figure prominently in the lives of these populations [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74418-ref2">2</xref>] .</p><p>The African continent is full of very diverse medicinal plants. According to the World Health Organization, more than 80% of the African population makes use of traditional medicine and pharmacopoeia to deal with health problems. On roughly 300,000 species of medicinal plants identified on the planet, more than 200,000 live in the tropics of Africa and have medicinal properties [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74418-ref3">3</xref>] .</p><p>Medicinal plants are a valuable heritage for humanity and especially for the majority of poor communities in developing countries who depend on it for their primary health care and their subsistence. They use most plant species, both woody and herbaceous, as drugs. A well-held belief is that any plant treats [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74418-ref4">4</xref>] .</p><p>In all developing countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, medicinal plants are the most used medium especially in rural areas to address public health problems. According to the WHO in 2002, over 80% of the African population use plants for their health care needs [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74418-ref5">5</xref>] .</p><p>Indeed, given the belief in the harmlessness of medicinal plants because of their natural origin, their use becomes increasingly considered a reasonable alternative and safer than conventional therapy? Since pregnant women may have to face fear teratogenicity conventional drugs, it can be assumed that medicinal plants are common therapies during pregnancy. Indeed, studies in, America and elsewhere show that up to 55% of women use medicinal plants during the gestational period [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74418-ref6">6</xref>] .</p><p>Given the importance and the value we place on this study of the practice of medicinal plants in pregnant, we have set the following objectives:</p><p> Determine the profile of pregnant using medicinal plants;</p><p> Determine the frequency of the use of medicinal plants in pregnant;</p><p> Identify the most frequently used herbs during pregnancy.</p></sec><sec id="s2"><title>2. Material and Method</title><sec id="s2_1"><title>2.1. Study Site</title><p>Kipushi is a southwestern area of the province of Katanga in Democratic Republic of Congo, Located near the border with Zambia (500 m), to the southwest of Lubumbashi, or about thirty kilometers from the latter. This area is known for its important minescopper and of zinc. KIPUSHI territory is perched at 1200 meters altitude on the top shelf Katanga. It owes its existence to what was one of the jewels of the Mining Union: Prince Leopold Mine and its famous V Wells. The population of the territory of Kipushi is estimated at 349,004 inhabitants according to the annual report 2014 of the administration of the territory.</p></sec><sec id="s2_2"><title>2.2. Study Design</title><p>This is a descriptive cross-sectional study for up March 2014 to June, 2014. Our sample consisted of 400 pregnant women who were enrolled in the health centers of the city Kipushi during prenatal consultations. Any pregnant present at the antenatal clinic, with verbal consent to participate in the study was included. Mother does not cooperate were excluded from the study. The following information was collected: using medicinal plants by women, age in years, tribes, level of study, parity, civil status, common names of plants, parts of plants used, administration mode, plant species, Indication, processing mode.</p><p>The collected data were coded, entered, processed and analyzed using SPSS 19. Descriptive analysis was performed using the proportions calculations. Verification of tax on names was made in the laboratory of the Faculty of Science of the University of Lubumbashi.</p><p>This study was approved by related ethics committee besides and mothers sign informed consent and have a whole understanding of this study. Our study had no binding character. Any information collected from mothers has been and will remain confidential. Similarly, the names of participants will remain confidential and will not be mentioned in the presentation of results or associated to results in any way whatsoever.</p></sec></sec><sec id="s3"><title>3. Results</title><p><xref ref-type="table" rid="table1">Table 1</xref> shows that, of a total of 400 pregnant consulted during the investigation period, 30 (7.5%) used medicinal plants.</p><p><xref ref-type="table" rid="table2">Table 2</xref> shows that 14 pregnant or 46.67% had an age between 26 and 30 years, followed by pregnant 9 (30%) whose age range was between 22 and 26 years, 33.33% of these were pregnant the Bemba tribe, pregnant practicing agriculture rank first or 36.67%. The majority of pregnant or 56.67% had a secondary consideration; 13 pregnant using medicinal plants is 43.33% were multiparous pregnant while 10 33.33% were large multiparous pregnant 12% or 40% were married and 9% or 30% of pregnant were single.</p><p><xref ref-type="table" rid="table3">Table 3</xref> shows Birsocorpus orientaris were the most used plants in pregnant or 16.67% of pregnant) monitoring and Uapaca kirkiana, Ficus capensis or</p><table-wrap id="table1" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table1">Table 1</xref></label><caption><title> Prevalence of use of medicinal plants by the pregnant</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle" >Women using medicinal plants</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Effective (nor)</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Percentage (%)</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >30</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >7.5</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >No</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >370</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >92.5</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Total</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >400</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >100</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap><table-wrap id="table2" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table2">Table 2</xref></label><caption><title> Profile of pregnant using medicinal plants</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle" >Age in years</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Effective (nor)</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Percentage (%)</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >18 - 22</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >3.33</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >22 - 26</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >9</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >30.00</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >26 - 30</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >14</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >46.67</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >30 - 34</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >6</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >20.00</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Tribes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Bemba</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >10</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >33.33</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Sanga</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >3.33</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Rund</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >8</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >26.67</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Luba from Kasai</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >6.67</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Luba of Katanga</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >9</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >30.00</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Profession</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Saleswoman</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >9</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >30.00</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Household</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >6</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >20,00</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Farmer</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >11</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >36.67</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Teachers</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >6.67</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Prostitutes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >6.67</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Level of study</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Primary</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >11</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >36.67</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Secondary</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >17</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >56.67</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >University</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >6.67</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Parity</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Primipare</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >7</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >23.33</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Multipare</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >13</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >43.33</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Grand multipare</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >10</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >33.33</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Civil status</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Single</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >9</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >30.00</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Married</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >12</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >40.00</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Divorced</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >6</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >20.00</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Widow</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >3</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >10.00</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap><table-wrap id="table3" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table3">Table 3</xref></label><caption><title> Distribution of medicinal plants used by the pregnant</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle" >Common names of plants</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >The scientific names of plants</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Effective (nor)</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Proportion (%)</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Makole</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Thespesia garckeana</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >3</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >10.00</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Kisongole</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Strychnos cocculoides</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >3.33</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Masuku</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Uapaca kirkiana</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >4</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >13.33</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Madjere</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Phyllanthus mwellerinus</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >6.67</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Mukiluakilua</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Ficus capensis</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >4</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >13.33</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Mulenda</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Hibiscus cannabinus</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >3</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >10.00</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Kandasole</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Birsocorpus orientaris</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >16.67</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Mumono</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Ricinus comninus</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >6.67</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Aloe</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Lipose</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >3</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >10.00</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Matungulupoli</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Afranomum alboviolaceum</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >6.67</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Lukumba</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Cymbopongo citratus</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >3.33</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Total</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >30</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >100.00</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap><p>13.33% and 10% of these used the pregnant Thespesia garckeana; Hibiscus cannabinus either Liposes.</p><p><xref ref-type="table" rid="table4">Table 4</xref> shows that 36.6% of pregnant using the roots followed in 30% of the leaves. In connection with the mode of administration of medicinal plants, 50% of pregnant were using oral and 13.3% vaginal or anal (<xref ref-type="table" rid="table5">Table 5</xref>).</p></sec><sec id="s4"><title>4. Discussion</title><p>The frequency of use of medicinal plants obtained in our study was approximately 7.5%. This is relatively low compared to other similar studies in sub- Saharan Africa; 12% in Kenya in a district hospital; 50.4% in Ethiopia and 50.0% in Har&#233;re [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74418-ref7">7</xref>] . The study by Tariku et al. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74418-ref8">8</xref>] showed that 73.1% of women had used herbal medicines during pregnancy and while Dabaghian Hashem al found a 67% of the 600 pregnant women who had used at least one of the herbal medicines during their current pregnancy or earlier [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74418-ref9">9</xref>] . But the study by Krysell shows a 9% prevalence in canada [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74418-ref6">6</xref>] . The difference may be due to the characteristics of the study population at the time of the study, the inclusion criteria, the sample size, sampling methods, the type of questions in the questionnaire and method of data collection, but also to the culture and level of study of the different populations studied.</p><p>Our study found that the roots were much used by pregnant or 36.67%. Our results are not consistent with those in the literature. Indeed, studies by ethnobotanicals Zirihi (1991) 64.49%, Tra Bi (1997) 70% Ouattara (2006) 44.26% Zerbo et al. (2007) 41%, N’Guessan (2008) 51.22% Lakouetene et al. (2009) 67%, Zerbo et al. (2011) 31% and Diatta et al. (2013) 46% showed that the leaves were the parts mainly used in various therapeutic preparations [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74418-ref10">10</xref>] . One might worry about overuse leaves of medicinal plants, but studies by Poffenberger et al.</p><table-wrap id="table4" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table4">Table 4</xref></label><caption><title> Distribution of medicinal plants used by the party and its mode of administration by the pregnant</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle" >Parts of plants used</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Effective (n = 30)</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Proportion (%)</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Roots</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >11</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >36.6</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Leaves</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >9</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >30.0</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Bark</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >16.7</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Fruit</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >16.7</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Administration mode</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Oral</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >15</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >50.0</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Bath</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >7</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >23.4</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Vaginally</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >4</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >13.3</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Anally</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >4</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >13.3</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap><table-wrap id="table5" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table5">Table 5</xref></label><caption><title> Distribution of medicinal plants according to their kinds and ways of treatment</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle" >Plant species</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Indication</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Processing mode</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Thespesia garckeana</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Membrane rupture</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Roots decoctus: Drink morning, evening drinks at 9 months of pregnancy. Leaves: make a sitz bath to 9 months.</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Strychnos cocculoides</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Uterine contractions, contracted pelvis</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Roots decoctus: Drink morning, evening 2 glasses. pounded leaves mixed with palm oil: make the anus to 8 months pregnant.</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Uapaca kirkiana</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Uterine contractions, rupture of the membrane</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >+Pounded leaves of palm oil: vaginal 9 months of pregnancy. Roots decoctus: drinking. Peel: cover</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Phyllanthis mwellerinus</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Uterine contractions, cervical dilation</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Roots: sitz bath for 9 months of pregnancy. Leaves and dried to powder + palm oil: anally 9 months of pregnancy.</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Ficus capensis</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Stimulate uterine contractions, rupture of the membrane</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Roots decoctus: Drink 1 glass morning and evening to 9 months of pregnancy.</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Hibiscus cannabinus</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Dilation of the cervix, rupture of the membrane</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Prepared fruit decoctus: drink morning and evening to 9 months of pregnancy.</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Birsocorpus orientaris</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Contracted pelvis, uterine contractions</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Roots: sitz bath for 6 to 7 months of pregnancy. pounded leaves + oil: anally 9 months of pregnancy.</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Ricinus comninus</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Avoid tear, rupture of the membrane</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Decoctus leaves: Drink 1 glass morning and evening. Roots make the powder + palm oil: vaginally. Peel: hedge.</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Liposo</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Avoid tearing, stimulate contractions</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Peel: to powder + palm oil. Roots decoctus: Drink morning. Sheets prepared: drink morning and evening to 9 months of pregnancy.</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Afranomum alboviolaceum</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Stimulate uterine contractions</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Roots: to put the powder in the anal. decoctus Sheets: drink morning and evening to 9 months of pregnancy.</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Cymbopongo citratus</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Rupture of the membrane, contracted pelvis, neck opening</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Roots decoctus: drink morning and evening. Leaves: powder + palm oil. Peel: hedge.</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap><p>showed that the removal of 50% of the leaves of a tree does not significantly affect its survival. Also, the high frequency of use of sheets can be explained by the ease and speed of harvesting but also by the fact that they are the site of photosynthesis and storage of secondary metabolites responsible for the biological properties of the plant [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74418-ref11">11</xref>] . But note that the study undertaken by Bene Kouadio has shown that the roots, with 10% of cases were the second group of the most used organs after the leaves [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74418-ref10">10</xref>] .</p><p>Among the administration routes, the most used was oral in 50% of cases. N’Guessan and Dibong et al. also found that 94.44% of respondents have used the oral route [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74418-ref12">12</xref>] . Nevertheless, several studies reveal other ways [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74418-ref10">10</xref>] . The difference found in modes of administration would be due to the different people’s cultures. With us, the majority of preparation for medicinal plants are potions, since these are the most simple and easy to achieve.</p><p>The predominance of 3 families (Birsocorpus orientaris, Uapaca kirkiana, Ficus capensis) which have the largest number of medicinal plants traditionally used for their likely effects oxytocin, is explained by the fact that these families are members, from the perspective of the number of species they contain, the largest of the flora of the city of Kipushi. We note with Ouattara, 03 1.78% representing plants of plants directory identified during ethno pharmacological study conducted in the region of Divo. Tra Bi showed that 08 plant species (8.88%) constituted the bulk of the arsenal of taxa used to ease childbirth. Zirihi (1991) reported that the Bete Department Issia (Central West of Ivory Coast) employ 05 plants, or 4.31% of all known plants. Vangah (1986) indicates that the Akan ethnic groups in the coastal region of the Ivory Coast use 24 species of plants engaged in oxytocin effects; these plants represent 7.97% of all known plants. Adjanohoun and Ak&#233; Assi (1979) has reported 5 species of plants, or 1.65% of the repertoire of taxa identified during their study on medicinal plants of Ivory Coast. This variability is due to changes in the methods of investigation; it could be explained by differences in region and vegetation.</p></sec><sec id="s5"><title>5. Conclusions</title><p>Medication by plants is an ancient therapy and millennium. It goes back to the dawn of time. Mankind has always sought to use plants to survive and to draw remedies to relieve his pain. This work was conducted in order to determine the profile of pregnant using medicinal plants, the frequency of the use of medicinal plants in pregnant and to identify the most commonly used herbs during pregnancy.</p><p>The results showed 7.5% of pregnant using medicinal plants. The Birsocorpus orientaris was the most used plants in pregnant or 16.67% of pregnant) monitoring and Uapaca kirkiana, Ficus capensis or 13.33% and 10% of these used the pregnant Thespesia garckeana; Hibiscus cannabinus either Liposes.</p><p>The use of more sophisticated methods of screening phytochemical and evaluation of the pharmacological activity of various extracts would be important to complete this ethnobotanical study.</p></sec><sec id="s6"><title>Cite this paper</title><p>Esther, K.I., Kleph, K.Z., Mariette, K.K., Sylvie, Y.N., Andre, W.O.T., Niclette, L., Michel, K.N., Baptiste, K.N.J. and Oscar, L.N. (2017) Plants Used by Pregnant Women at Kipushi City in Democratic Republic of Congo: Prevalence and Indications. Open Access Library Jour- nal, 4: e3390. https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1103390</p></sec></body><back><ref-list><title>References</title><ref id="scirp.74418-ref1"><label>1</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Ouafae, B., Lahcen, Z., Mohamed, F. and Houda, E. (2011) Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants in the Region of Bel Mechraa Ksiri (Gharb Region of Morocco). Acta Botanica Barcinonensia, 53, 191-216.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.74418-ref2"><label>2</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Mokoso, M., God, J., De Felicien, M.K. and Justin, K.N. (2014) Contribution to the Phytochemical Study of Some Medicinal Plants Antidiabetic from the Town of Bukavu and Its Environs (South Kivu, RD Congo). 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