Treatment of infertility and promotion of exclusive breastfeeding are important components of strategies to promote progress in reproductive health. Given the difficulties in accessing medically assisted reproductive techniques and commercial dairy products, African populations sometimes rely on medicinal plants. Ficuscapensis is a fig tree used in African traditional medicine to treat female infertility and hypogalactia. The objective of this work was to review the use of Ficus capensis in African traditional medicine treatment of female infertility and hypogalactia. Data were collected from the PRELUDE database, Persée, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect and Researchgate. Data collected showed that Ficus capensis extracts were used in the treatment of female infertility and hypogalactia in at least thirteen African countries. All regions of subSaharan Africa were concerned. The organs of the plant used to treat these two diseases were the roots, bark, leaves and fruits. Roots were most commonly used for infertility and bark for hypogalactia. These
organs were used isolated or combined in various forms, including decoctions, macerations and infusions. These preparations were administered orally, intrauterine or by external application to the abdomen or breast. Histological and physiological effects of Ficus capensis extracts on breast and on female reproductive organs were not well documented.
Ficus capensis, female infertility, breastfeeding, hypogalactia, African traditional medicine