Ethnobotanical survey of some medicinal plants used in traditional health care in Abeokuta areas of Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used in traditional health care delivery system in some selected towns of Ogun State, Nigeria was carried out to obtain useful information on their uses and potentials. Ethnobotanical data were collected by oral interview with the aid of a semi-structured questionnaire administered to 50 respondents made up of traditional medical practitioners (TMPs), herbalists and herb sellers. A total of 58 plant species belonging to 34 families were found to be useful in the treatment of various ailments such as asthma, cough, yellow fever, tuberculosis, measles, malaria, ringworm, boil, eczema, typhoid and diabetes. Recipes used in the treatment of these ailments were documented. Herbal remedies were either prepared from dry or freshly collected plants while the traditional solvent of choice included water, pure honey, lime, alcohol and aqueous extracts from fermented maize. The main methods of preparation are decoction and infusion while method of administration ranges from 3 to 5 cl of drinking cup, 2 to 3 times daily. The survey revealed that the leaves component accounted for the majority of the part used for herbal preparations. Residents in the study areas find the traditional medicine cheaper as compared to orthodox medicine. It is therefore implicated that conscientious efforts should be made to conserve medicinal plant genetic resources to ensure continued access to these plant materials while efforts should be made to reduce pressures on the remaining germplasm.