Some plants used for reproductive health by women in Agbarha-Otor community, Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Overtime, the state of maternal health in Nigeria is poor and can be attributed to inadequate access to reproductive health services, poverty and in some areas, cultural resistance. Medicinal plants used in Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli, Nigeria for managing women’s reproductive health concerns such as conception, pregnancy, birth, contraception, menstruation, post-partum and general reproductive health were investigated in this study. Methods: Surveys were conducted both in Urhobo and English languages using semi structured questionnaire. Guided field-walk method was employed where respondents, specifically, Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), were interviewed. A total of 30 plants belonging to 23 families having properties against different conditions, ailments and peculiarities related to female reproductive health and gynecological conditions were surveyed, documented and their medicinal activity validated non-experimentally. Results: Most of the documented plants belong to Asteraceae family. Also, most of the reported plants were majorly herbs and shrubs which were surveyed plants from the wild. Leaves were the most frequently used plants’ part. The medications were majorly prepared as decoctions and administered orally. The choice of oral administration over possible alternatives is because some solvents such as water, palm oil, or local wine or gin called “ogogoro” serve as good vehicles to transport the remedies’ active principles. Conclusion: From the survey, it can be deduced that the use of medicinal plants for reproductive healthcare and gynaecological conditions in the study area is still in practice. However, scientific validation of the biological properties of the surveyed plants is highly recommended.