The aim of this study was to document knowledge and practices relating to the management of child malnutrition and associated pathologies, by targeting 844 Beninese mothers of children and 201 traditional practitioners. The approach to recruiting participants was transparent and inclusive. Close collaboration with local communities was established, working in partnership with local authorities, community leaders and health centers. This approach facilitated the integration of the study into the local context, fostering the trust and cooperation of the participating mothers and traditional healers. These two target groups come from different geographical regions and socioeconomic backgrounds in Benin. The use of traditional healers by mothers in cases of child malnutrition is a well-established practice. For example, a study in Ethiopia focusing on the qualitative analysis of care-seeking behavior of mothers of malnourished children confirmed this [36]. The findings of these authors highlighted the importance of understanding traditional healing practices within communities affected by child malnutrition. Therefore, by including traditional healers in research efforts, it is possible to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of local healthcare practices. In Ghana, there is also the possibility of using traditional healers to treat various spiritual and physical aspects of child malnutrition [37]. In India, this traditional approach to the management of child malnutrition is also practiced [38]. The dimension reported by Chaturvedi et al. [38] focused on infant massage with oil, which appears to be a potentially beneficial practice for children's nutrition.

These observations show that traditional ancestral knowledge can be used to enrich the child healthcare platform, demonstrating the importance of two medicines (modern and traditional) working together to tackle complex health challenges.

Our study revealed that the majority of participating women were married, illiterate, of Fon and Fon-related ethnic origin, and aged between 21 and 40. These data are comparable to those reported in Za-Kpota in central Benin and Zè in southern Benin [39]. The high illiteracy rate reflects the sociocultural realities of most Beninese populations [40]. This finding of widespread illiteracy raises important questions about access to education and its potential impact on decision-making, family health and other aspects of daily life.

Regarding the plurality of ethnicities, with a predominance of the Fon and related ethnic group, this underscores the importance of cultural and ethnic diversity in the study context. These data are in line with the findings of the report on the demographic survey carried out by INSAE (National Institute of Statistics and Economic Analysis) in 2013 [40]. This report indicates that in southern Benin, the dominant ethnic groups are the Fon and related groups (39.2%), the Adja and related groups (15.2%) and the Yoruba and related groups (14.5%). Finally, the specific age range of 21 to 40 years emphasizes that the survey focused on a specific period in women’s lives when motherhood and parenting are particularly relevant [39]. The second target of the study, namely traditional healers, was mostly aged 30 to 40, illiterate and of Dendi ethnicity and related groups, with ancestral heritage as the source of their knowledge. These same characteristics of respondents have been noted in other ethnobotanical studies carried out for various pathologies in Benin [41,42,43,44,45].

This highlights the importance of intergenerational transmission of traditional knowledge, emphasizing the cultural richness and ancestral heritage of the surveyed community [28]. These traditional healers had significant experience, around 15 years, indicating a profound understanding of traditional medicinal practices. This predisposes them to provide relevant information regarding the traditional management of infant malnutrition and associated pathologies [26].

Furthermore, respondents provided relevant data regarding their knowledge of infant malnutrition. Indeed, the majority (43.98%) of respondents had a good understanding of the meaning of infant malnutrition. This suggests that a significant portion of the studied population grasps fundamental aspects of malnutrition, such as stunting, low weight for height and low weight for age. These data are similar to those noted among mothers of children in the communes of Za-Kpota and Zè during the baseline survey of the integrated community nutrition and poverty alleviation project in Benin [39]. This solid knowledge base can serve as a favorable starting point for implementing initiatives to strengthen awareness of malnutrition and prevent associated pathologies.

The good understanding of the causes, symptoms and consequences of malnutrition by respondents is also a positive element. The identified causes, such as poverty, chronic illnesses, infections, unbalanced diet and food insufficiency, reflect an awareness of the multidimensional factors contributing to malnutrition [2, 46]. This underscores the importance of implementing malnutrition prevention programs that address these diverse aspects. The symptoms mentioned by respondents, such as excessive weight loss, bloating, brittle reddish hair and delayed growth, indicate recognition of the physical signs of malnutrition. This information is also supported by the mothers of children interviewed in eastern Ethiopia about child malnutrition, who reported similar causes and symptoms [36]. These data highlight the need for early detection and treatment of child malnutrition. However, the mention of moderate knowledge of conditions frequently associated with malnutrition highlights an area where further efforts may be needed to improve awareness.

Environmental problems linked to food and public health in the study area include poverty, lack of food, unhealthy diets, infectious diseases and lack of awareness [14, 15, 37]. Poverty is clearly identified as one of the causes of malnutrition, highlighting a major socioeconomic problem that hinders people's access to adequate food. Food insufficiency is also singled out, pointing to shortcomings in the availability and accessibility of food in the region studied. The finding of an unbalanced diet highlights concerns about the nutritional quality of the food available in the area. In addition, infections are mentioned as another cause of malnutrition, suggesting public health issues such as restricted access to healthcare and environmental conditions conducive to the spread of disease. Finally, the limited awareness of the conditions frequently associated with malnutrition highlights a deficit in the communication of nutrition and public health information within the community, which could pose additional challenges to the fight against this scourge. These aspects underline the need for integrated interventions aimed at improving access to adequate food, strengthening health systems and raising public awareness of nutrition and health issues.

Plant-based products are an invaluable aid in the management of malnutrition, due to their various contributions, mainly phytonutrients. In recent years, the demand for phytonutrients to supplement nutrition [47]. In this study, the mothers and traditional healers provided the homogeneous information’s about medicinal recipes used in traditional treatment of malnutrition and associated pathologies. Many medicinal recipes are used by both mothers of children and traditional healers in the context of managing infant malnutrition and associated pathologies. The study highlights the diversity of the medicinal recipes used, with a total of 122 recipes used by mothers and 71 by traditional healers for a total of 81 plants. This diversity of plants is greater than the 27 species of wild plants used as fruit or seasonal wild vegetables (in the case of other species) in the management of malnutrition [48]. This highlights that practices or approaches using medicinal plants to address malnutrition are shared by actors from different countries to meet these health challenges.

The recipes identified in this study aim to address various aspects such as appetite stimulation, essential nutrient intake, immune system strengthening, digestion improvement and the treatment of fever, diarrhea, convulsions and cough. This emphasizes the multifaceted approach through medicinal recipes proposed by the respondents, who also have a deep understanding of malnutrition and related pathologies. Moreover, recipes involving multiple medicinal plants aim to consider not only malnutrition but also any pathology associated with it. However, a meticulous scientific examination is necessary to attest to the effectiveness and safety of these plant combinations.

The study also highlights the most cited plants in the recipes, such as Moringa oleifera., Adansonia digitate L., Gymnanthemum amygdalinum (Delile) Sch.Bip., Phyllanthus amarus, Senna siamae, Carica papaya, Ocimum gratissimum, Arachis hypogaea L., Glycine max (L.) Merr. Several studies have reported the nutritional potential of these plants [15, 17, 18]. Certain species, such as Solanum macrocarpon L. and others, share certain botanical families with the plants in this study [48]. Ojha et al. [49] identified several medicinal plants, including Glycine max, as food supplements with good sources of fat. In addition, these authors stated that in cases of stunted growth or to enhance the value of breast milk, the consumption of Glycine max and other plants is strongly recommended. Laleye et al. [18] evaluated the impact of porridge made from Moringa oleifera by administering it 5 times a week over 6 months. The results showed that 70% of the children and over 75% of the mothers found the porridge appetizing. A significant average weight gain of 1,720 g (p < 0.005) was observed in the intervention group at the end of the experiment, with a reduction in the prevalence of underweight of 1.33% (p > 0.05), and in the number of children suffering from acute malnutrition of 10.42% (p < 0.005). Mentha × piperita L., identified in this study, is rich in menthyl acetate, menthone and menthol as the main phytoconstituents and methofuran, neomenthol, isomenthone, isorhoifolin, leutolin-7-O-glucoside and 1,8-cineole as other active constituents of mentha leaves. Thanks to its compounds, this plant has antioxidant, antimicrobial, insecticidal and anti-inflammatory activities, which could explain its involvement in the management of malnutrition and associated pathologies [50].

With its scientific name, Arachis hypogaea, identified in this study, peanuts contain numerous functional compounds such as proteins, fibers, polyphenols, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals which are very useful for improving the nutritional status of those suffering from malnutrition [51]. Its nutritional potential has been known for a very long time. The individual nutrients present in peanuts act through various mechanisms and can have synergistic effects to improve health. A study of over 15,000 people who consumed peanuts and peanut products showed higher levels of vitamin A, vitamin E, folate, magnesium, zinc, iron, calcium and dietary fiber than those who did not [52].

Red palm oil, extracted from Elaeis guineensis Jacq. as identified in this study, serves as the primary vegetable source of provitamin A carotenoids and is highly bioavailable due to its lipid structure and lack of a plant matrix [53]. In addition to its contribution to vitamin A, red palm oil provides lipids, often deficient and crucial for the biological efficacy of dietary provitamin A carotenoids. Moreover, red palm oil serves as a source of various antioxidants, including vitamin E and carotenoids other than vitamin A, which play a role in preventing cancer and other chronic diseases. Its nutrient-rich composition renders it a beneficial component for managing malnutrition [53].

Gymnanthemum amygdalinum is also one of the plants identified in this study. As a rich source of minerals and beneficial elements, this plant is considered a potential source of useful foods and medicines. Garba et Oviosa [54] revealed that Gymnanthemum amygdalinum can contribute to recommended dietary intakes of Fe (20%), Cu (27%), Mg (12%) and Ca (9%). It is also a good anti-anemic and anti-diabetic agent due to its high iron content. This makes it a good plant resource for managing malnutrition.

Glycine max (soya beans), another plant resource, has been known for its protein energy potential to improve nutritional status for ages. Several scientific studies have documented its nutritional properties. In Nigeria, for example, the use of soya beans both as soya milk and as “soyogi,” among other home formulations, provides high nutritional value and has long been strongly recommended for the prevention and management of malnutrition [55]. Agyenim-Boateng et al. [56] reported in a recent study the rich nutritional composition of soya beans (13.49% protein, 7.81% fatty acids, 2.47% soluble sugars, abundant mineral and micronutrient content), including folate (462. 27 μg FW) and carotenoids (3935.41 μg FW), isoflavone content ranged from 129.26 to 2359.35 μg/g FW, 115.57% folic acid and 11.60% zinc and concluded that soya beans meets the nutritional needs of most countries.

Manihot esculenta Crantz (Cassava) is a plant species rich in bioactive nutrients such as minerals, essential fatty acids and antioxidants. It contains eight minerals. It contains eight minerals, of which the K content was the highest, followed by Mg, Ca, P, Zn, Fe, Cu and Na [57]. This nutritional composition makes it ideal for use in the management of malnutrition.

Carica papaya L. is a fruit well known throughout the world. It is a rich source of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals and a good source of nearby nutrients. Ugo et al. [58] revealed that Carica papaya contains fat (2.01%), ash (2.18%), protein (6.50%), crude fiber (3.10%), carbohydrates (29.20%), vitamin C (68.59 mg/100 g), beta-carotene (303, 55 mg/100 g), B1 (199.31 mg/100 g), B2 (295.63 mg/100 g) and vitamin E (39.78 mg/100 g), minerals—phosphorus (1971.17 mg/100 g), sodium (30.42 mg/100 g), potassium (80.13 mg/100 g), calcium (1086.53 mg/100 g) and chromium (31.10 mg/100 g). It also contains phytochemicals such as flavonoids (899.53 mg/100 g), alkaloids (1569.13 mg/100 g), saponins (898.07 mg/100 g) and tannins (310.50 mg/100 g). This nutritional potential helps to improve the nutritional status of malnourished children.

In addition, some of these plants have been used in the formulation of flour to correct nutritional deficiencies in malnourished children [15]. These data show that these plants are rich in trace elements that are useful for the proper nutrition of children under the age of five. On their own, the above plants have biological properties against most of the pathologies associated with malnutrition (anti-diarrheal, antitussive, antimicrobial properties, etc.). However, there is very little data on the effectiveness of plant-based recipes against both malnutrition and associated diseases. This study provides a database that can be used to explore the efficacy of medicinal recipes for treating child malnutrition and associated diseases.