International Journal of
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Research Article Volume 19 Issue 2
Ethnobotany of Traditional Plant Cosmetics Utilised by Women: A Study in Northern Ghana
Evans Paul Kwame Ameade, Josephine Aparku, Emmanuel Adom
Received: February 18, 2026 | Published: March 6, 2026
Citation: Ameade EPK, Aparku J, Adom E. Ethnobotany of Traditional Plant Cosmetics Utilised by Women: A Study in Northern Ghana. Int J Complement Alt Med. 2026;19(2):83-91. DOI: 10.15406/ijcam.2026.19.00765
Abstract
Research has focused on plants with medicinal value or used as food neglecting the study into those used as cosmetics. This cross-sectional study was thus conducted among women in the Tamale metropolis to specifically identify plants used as cosmetics and determine the level of usage among women. Using convenience sampling method, 383 participants were selected from 20 randomly selected communities in Tamale. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the data which was then analyzed using Microsoft Excel version 2310 and IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 25.0. The results of the data analysis were presented in tables and graphs. Bivariate analysis was used to determine the association between some variables. Statistical significance is assumed at p < 0.05 at a confidence level of 95%. A total of 59.5% of women used 19 plants belonging to 18 families for cosmetic purposes. The most preferred application areas were skin, hair and private parts whereas the main cosmetic uses were skin smoothening (33.4%), skin protection (8.1%), hair growth (13.3%), treatment of acne (11.7%), body odour (9.9%) and vaginal hygiene (5.7%). All the sociodemographic characteristics except marital status found no statistically significant association with the use of plants as cosmetics (p > 0.05). Single women used plant cosmetics significantly more than their married counterparts (χ 2 =7.870; p-value = 0.020). Extracts from seeds of the Shea tree ( Vitellaria paradoxa), and leaves of Aloe vera ( Aloe barbadensis) were the most commonly used plant materials for cosmetic purposes. Continuous research is needed to record and preserve this indigenous knowledge.
Keywords: Cosmetics, herbal, females, plants
©2026 Ameade, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.