Community Perceptions and Traditional Knowledge of Bidens Pilosa in Malawi: Nutritional, Medicinal, and Economic Dimensions

Abstract

Bidens pilosa L. (Blackjack) is an indigenous plant widely distributed across Sub-Saharan Africa, traditionally valued for its nutritional and medicinal properties yet often dismissed as a weed (FAO, 2012; Pillai et al., 2020). Despite growing scientific evidence of its pharmacological potential (Pillai et al., 2020; Zhang et al., 2019), little is known about how local communities perceive and utilize this plant within their traditional knowledge systems. This study investigated household perceptions and traditional knowledge of Bidens pilosa in rural and peri-urban Malawi, employing a mixed-methods design that combined household surveys, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. Findings revealed high awareness and consistently positive perceptions of Bidens pilosa, particularly regarding its medicinal and nutritional relevance. PCA identified two dominant components—medicinal–health and economic–nutraceutical—explaining 72.2% of the variance. Perceptions varied significantly across gender, education, occupation, and cooperative membership, with women and cooperative members expressing stronger positive views. Qualitative narratives underscored the plant’s cultural integration in food preparation, traditional healing, and income generation. The study concludes that Bidens pilosa is deeply embedded in community knowledge and valued for its multifunctional benefits. These insights highlight its potential role in nutrition programs, primary healthcare, conservation initiatives, and smallholder commercialization strategies across Sub-Saharan Africa.