Ethnobotanical Survey Of Plants Research Articles

Ethnobotanical survey of plants used in the Maasai food system and traditional medicine against gout and associated conditions in Monduli-Tanzania

ABSTRACT An ethnobotanical survey was conducted to determine the plant species used against gout and gout-associated conditions (GACs) in Monduli, Arusha, Tanzania. The survey that involved 21 Maasai traditional food system (TFS) and traditional medicine (TM) practitioners revealed that the study area had 101 plant species distributed in 84 genera and 42 families. About 79% of the species were used as medicine; some were used as food or for processing. The medicinal plants (MPs) managed 69 health conditions including gout, “Olgila” and GACs. The MPs had potential nutritional and antioxidant agents against diseases including metabolic diseases (MDs), like gout. The root parts of the plants (54% species) were exploited the most; most plants (94%) were sourced from the wild. Integrated conservation and promotion measures are needed to prevent loss of TFS and TM knowledge.

An Ethnobotanical Survey of Plants Used by Communities around Jaunsar-Bawar Region of Uttarakhand, India

The Jaunsar Bawar region of Uttarakhand, India, is well-known for its rich biodiversity and cultural history, which is inseparably, connected through traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and ethnobotanical traditions. This work explores the ethnobotanical knowledge and practices amongst the indigenous communities residing in the JaunsarBawar region, of 11 villages in three tehsils: Kalsi, Tyuni, and Chakrata of Uttarakhand state of India. With extensive field studies, literature reviews, surveys using standard questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews with local inhabitants including Vaidyas, Hakeem, and forest government officials, the study tends to document the rich biodiversity of the region and comprehend the relationship between humans and plants. It documents and explores the traditional usage of 65 plant species of different growth habits and forms for medicine, timber, food, fodder, culinary, rituals, and other purposes. Insights of the study aid in the documentation of local plant species and indigenous wisdom of plant use across generations in the tribal region.

An ethnobotanical survey of plants used against host-seeking mosquitoes by communities in Mazowe and Shamva districts, Zimbabwe

An ethnobotanical survey of plants used against host-seeking mosquitoes by communities in Mazowe and Shamva districts, Zimbabwe

An ethnobotanical survey of plants used by the people of the Hmar tribe of Dima Hasao district, Assam, North East India

An ethnobotanical survey of plants used by the people of the Hmar tribe of Dima Hasao district, Assam, North East India

Ethnobotanical survey of plants used in magico-religious practices in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, India.

Background: Local inhabitants of Kullu region of Himachal Pradesh, use various sacred plants for pleasing and worshipping local ‘devats’, in various religious ceremonies, but we are losing the sacred valuable knowledge at a rapid pace, hence the need to document and preserve this knowledge. Method: Ethno-botanical survey, field visits were conducted in different parts of Kullu district. Indigenous people, shamans, tantric, and local elderly members of society were consulted to collect the data. Informal discussions and interviews were done for data collection. Different use categories, the basic variables like frequency of citation (FC), use reports (UR), the number of uses (NU) and the ethno-botanical indices like relative frequency of citations (RFC), relative importance index (RI), cultural importance index (CI), and cultural value index (CV) were determined and compared. Result: The paper includes the list of 75 species under 46 families, used for Magico-religious beliefs along with their medicinal value. Most utilized parts were flowers, whole plant, leaves, seeds, followed by fruits. Ficus religiosa L. showed highest value in all the indices (CI =2, RFC=1, RI= 0.75), with highest number of citation (FC=25), Use report (UR=50), followed by Ocimum sanctum L. Conclusion: To maintain the age-old faiths, people of these areas, harvest plants sustainably and economically, these practices contribute in the ex-situ conservation of plants while fulfilling their values in magico-religious beliefs, as well as sustainable development of the area. Study also reveals the status of 21 rare plant species which need conservation. Keywords: Sacred Plants, Religious Ceremonies, Ex-situ Conservation, Magico-religious beliefs, Sustainable Development

Ethnobotanical survey of plants used by the riparian population of Banco National Park (Abidjan, Ivory Coast)

Abstract. Gnahore E, Kouadio KR, Amba AJG, Kone M, Bakayoko A. 2022. Ethnobotanical survey of plants used by the riparian population of Banco National Park (Abidjan, Ivory Coast). Asian J Ethnobiol 5: 121-129. Situated at the "heart" of Abidjan, Banco National Park (BNP), Ivory Coast, is the rare relics of moist, dense rainforests coveted everywhere. This work was undertaken with an aim of identifying the plants most usually used by the riparian population of BNP in human food, animal food, and pharmacopeia. An ethnobotanical survey was carried out of the riparian population of the BNP. The method consists of an ethnobotanical survey realized among the inhabitants of the park and those of the surrounding urban districts. The method used was semi-structured interviews. This study targeted 294 people, including 20% men and 80% women, aged between 30 and 60. A total of 36 plant species from 34 genera and 28 families were recorded. Thirteen species were used in food, three fodder species, and thirty others used to treat several ailments in the area. Two of these plants have strong ratio utilization in human food: Myrianthus arboreus P.Beauv. (15.25%) and M. libericus Rendle (14%). Thus, in the area study, five species are respectively considered threatened and three species rare. Leaves (32.55%) and bark (20.93%) are the most used organ. Decoction (98%) was the most common traditional medicine preparation method. Indigenous knowledge distribution in the community showed significant differences (p<0.05) in the study groups for factors of age, sex, gender, and educational level. The number of resources used can seriously impact the forest negatively. It is urgent to adopt a lasting management plan for sustainable harvest for the safeguard and preservation of the plant cash of the BNP.

Ethnobotanical Survey of Plants Used by Subsistence Farmers in Mitigating Cabbage and Spinach Diseases in OR Tambo Municipality, South Africa.

Annually, significant crop losses are reported due to diseases caused by phytopathogens. Most subsistence farmers cannot afford the high cost of chemical treatments thereby resulting in the increasing dependence on plant extracts to manage crop diseases. In this study, we documented plants used for the management of cabbage and spinach diseases in OR Tambo Municipality, Eastern Cape Province. An ethnobotanical survey using semi-structured questionnaires was used to document plants and plant parts used by the subsistence farmers in managing cabbage and spinach diseases. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to 41 consenting subsistence farmers from November to December in 2021, using snowball sampling. The collected data were subjected to descriptive statistical and ethnobotanical analyses. A total of 17 plants belonging to 10 families were identified by the participants as being used in mitigating cabbage and spinach diseases. Tulbaghia violacea, Aloe ferox, and Capsicum annuum had the highest use value of 0.32 each, whereas Tulbaghia violacea had the highest relative frequency of citation of 0.39. This current study revealed the importance of plants in managing crop diseases in local communities. It provides baseline data for future pharmacological evaluations in authenticating the efficacies of the identified plants in managing crop diseases.

Ethnobotanical Survey of Plants Used as Biopesticides by Indigenous People of Plateau State, Nigeria

The quest for sustainable health, environmental protection, and the conservation of beneficial organisms makes the use of biopesticides a desirable option. This research aimed to identify the botanicals used in the management of farm and household pests in Plateau State, Nigeria. A cross sectional study was carried out using semi-structured questionnaires and on-the-spot, face-to-face interviews. The main issues captured include the pests, the plants used to manage the pest, the parts used, the cultivation status, the availability, the effects on the pests, the indigenous formulation methods, and the modes of application. The quantitative data were analyzed using the Frequency of Citation (FC), Relative Frequency of Citation RFC (%), and Use Value (UV). A total of 45 plant species belonging to 42 genera, 20 orders, and 30 families were found to be useful in the management of 15 different pests. The FC, RFC (%), and UV values identified the most popularly used plants as Mesosphaerum suaveolens (L.) Kuntze, Gymnanthemum amygdalinum (Delile) Sch.Bip., Azadirachta indica A. Juss, Canarium schweinfurthii Engl., Euphorbiaunispina N.E.Br., and Erythrophloem africanum (Benth.) Harms. The plants that showed broad uses by the ethnic groups include Azadirachta indica A. Juss (7 uses), Erythrophloem africanum (Benth.) Harms, Khaya senegalensis (Desr.) A. Juss., and Gymnanthemum amygdalinum (Delile) Sch.Bip. The perception of the respondents indicated that most of the biopesticides are available, affordable, effective, eco-friendly, and safe. This survey provides a pathway for the formulation of stable biopesticides.

Ethnobotanical Survey of Plants Used in The Management of Peptic Ulcer Diseases in Wukari Metropolis

Peptic ulcer diseases (PUD) are sores formed in soft tissues present in the lining of the digestive tract as a result of excessive stomach acid or inability of the alimentary tract or stomach to protect itself. The increasing surge for plant based drugs in the management of PUD has increased scientific investigation of herbs and recipes from traditional medicinal practitioners (TMP) to ascertain their efficacy through pharmacological studies. Ethnobotanical survey of plants and recipes from TMP used in the management of PUD in Wukari metropolis, Taraba State, Northeastern Nigeria were documented. A total of twenty (20) TMP located in ten (10) different area of the town were interviewed using a semi structured questioner. Twenty-four (24) plant species from twenty (20) different families and sixteen (16) recipes were documented from the survey. It was observed that plant leaves were mostly used while C. longa (Zingberaceae), M. paradisiaca (Musaceae) had the highest frequency of occurrence in recipes formulation. Therefore, due to the proven efficacy of these herbal recipes as reported from correspondents, there is need for proper documentation, conservation, cultivation and use of these medicinal plants in the management of PUD to avoid them being endangered or going into extinction.

Ethnobotanical survey of plants locally used in the control of termite pests among rural communities in northern Uganda

BackgroundTermites are the most destructive pests in many agricultural and forest plantations in Uganda. Current control of termites mostly relies on chemical pesticides. However, the adverse effects of chemical insecticides necessitate the need to search for and popularize the usage of environmentally safer options. Plants represent one of the most accessible resources available for termite control by communities in Uganda. However, limited documented information exists for their contribution in the management of except through verbal sharing. This study aimed at assessing the communities’ knowledge about plants traditionally used in controlling termites among selected communities in Apac District, northern Uganda.MethodAn ethnobotanical survey was conducted between November 2016 and February 2017 in 12 randomly selected villages in the sub counties of Apac and Ibuje of Apac District, northern Uganda. Open-ended questionnaire interviews were used to gather ethnobotanical and sociodemographic data. A total of 381 indigenous people were interviewed [male, 281 (73.8); female, 100 (26.2)]. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), and the relative frequency of citation (RFC) was determined.ResultsOverall, 70.9% of the respondents were knowledgeable about plants used for control of termites. There was a significant association between respondents’ knowledge of pesticidal plants with age and gender but not with education status. A total of 11 plant species belonging to eight families were identified to be in use for control of termites in Apac. Solanaceae, Eurphorbiaceae and Asteraceae were the most represented families with two species each, while the rest of the families had only one species mentioned. According to the relative frequency of citation (RFC), Kigelia africana (Lam.) Benth. (RFC = 0.43), Vernonia amygdalina Delile (0.18) and Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray (0.10) were the most used in the control of termites in the study area. Fruits (45.9%) and leaves (29.2%) were the most used plant parts. Squeezing, crushing and chopping of the plant materials were the most popular methods of preparation and water extract was the commonest mode of formulation of plant parts.ConclusionsThe study has shown that rural populations of the targeted localities possess indigenous knowledge on anti-termitid plants. However, screening is urgently needed to validate their bioactivity and to determine the bioactive constituents responsible for killing the invertebrates in pest management. Furthermore, simple methods for local propagation and cultivation are needed to ensure a sustainable supply of termicidal plant biomass.

Ethnobotanical survey of plants used against erectile dysfunction in the commune of Ngaba in Kinshasa / DR Congo

Ethnobotanical survey of plants used against erectile dysfunction in the commune of Ngaba in Kinshasa / DR Congo

Ethnobotanical survey of plants used against erectile dysfunction in the commune of Ngaba in Kinshasa / DR Congo

Erectile dysfunction is the persistent inability of a man to achieve or maintain an erection of the penis sufficient for satisfactory intercourse. Its socio-cultural involvement is important, since one of the purposes of marriage is procreation. In the past, the woman was indexed as the cause of the couple's infertility or lack of procreation. Nowadays, this disorder is quite common among men. The objective of this work is to contribute to the study of medicinal plants used by traditional herbalists for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in the Municipality of Ngaba in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Surveys conducted with herbalists have identified 22 plant species belonging to 19 families. The most used organs are the root and the stem. The seeds are the least used. Chewing is the predominant mode of preparation. It is followed by the decoction and the grounded material. Maceration is the least prescribed. These results have made it possible to inventory the medicinal plants involved in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

A study of the plant folk nomenclature of the Yi people in Xiaoliangshan, Yunnan Province, China, and the implications for protecting biodiversity

BackgroundFolk plant nomenclature is a part of knowledge of indigenous people often used to distinguish plant species. This study aimed to document the folk botanical nomenclature of the Yi people in Xiaoliangshan, Yunnan Province, which has not been systematically investigated to date. The results of this study will assist in conserving biodiversity and the language of the Yi people and will promote the transmission of ethnobotanical knowledge.MethodsAn ethnobotanical survey of plants used by the Yi people in Xiaoliangshan, Yunnan Province, was conducted from September 2019 to August 2021. Semi-structured interviews and key informant interviews were conducted to collect and document ethnobotanical information, which was then used to analyse the folk botanical nomenclature of the Yi people. In addition, the folk names of plants used by the Xiaoliangshan Yi community were compared with those of the Yi people living in the Daliangshan, where the environment is considerably different.ResultsIn this study, 266 informants were interviewed, and the names of 228 indigenous plants were extracted from 3088 use reports. The nomenclature used by the local Yi people is based on plant characteristics, plant habitat, plant use, and the local culture. By comparing the folk plant names of the Yi people in Xiaoliangshan with those of the Yi people in Daliangshan, we found that the plant names of the two places have some similarities and also with their own unique characters. The important folk plant names of the Yi people in Xiaoliangshan usually have a monosyllable non-binomial structure or have and "divine attributes" in their names.ConclusionsThe Yi people in Xiaoliangshan have a rich and diverse knowledge of plant naming determined by cultural, and environmental factors. The botanical nomenclature of the Yi people has distinct rules and characteristics, and the plant naming directly includes important plants that they believe to be used and protected, which is of great significance to the protection of biodiversity.

Ethnobotanical survey and proposed recipes of potential wound-healing plants in parts of south west Nigeria

Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants remains a veritable source of information leading to discovery of new lead compounds of pharmaceutical importance thus, the need for continual search for medicinal plants via ethnobotanical surveys in Nigeria. Structured questionnaires were administered amongst traditional healers. A few other anecdotal claims about efficacy of herbs from people who at one time or the other have used the plants for wound healing were also sampled. The result of an ethnobotanical survey of plants used in the treatment of wound in Ijebu North Local Government area of Ogun State and Ibadan North Local Government area of Oyo state of Nigeria are reported. A total of 71 species of plants covering 43 families were identified; representing 51 recipes. Carica papaya Linn, Elaeis guineensis Jacq, Chromolaena odorata Meull. Arg, Gladiolus psittacinus Hook.f., Vetivera kotschyana (Benth.) Stapf, Securidaca longipedunculata Fresen and Euphorbia laterifolia Linn were prominent among the recipes. Among all the families identified in the recipes, Euphorbiaceae was most mentioned (7.0%) followed by Compositeae, Fabacceae, Malvaceae and Meliaceae families (4.0%), Amaryllidaceae, Annonaceae, Arecaceae, Asphodeloideae, Asteraceae, Cucurbitaceae, Leguminosae, Musaceae, Poaceae, Rubiaceae, Rutaceae, Solanaceae, Sterculiaceae, Zingiberaceae followed closely (3.0%) while Acanthaceae, Amaranthaceae, Anacardiaceae and others had 1.0%. Out of the recipes, 51.9% are either leaves only or in combination with other parts, while 21.5% are stem bark, 7.6% are seeds and 3.8% are roots, bulbs and fruits respectively. These plants could be investigated for potential leads for wound healing in animal subjects.

Ethnobotanical Survey of Plants used for Cancer Treatment in Akinyele Local Government of Ibadan, Nigeria and Preliminary Cytotoxic Activity of Selected Plants

Background: In Nigerian ethnomedicine, a few anticancer constituents of medicinal plant of natural products have been reported in the literature. Although several traditional medical practitioners (TMPs) have claimed to have managed this disease with plants that have been in existence from ancient times.Objective: This study aimed at the documentation and validation of plants that are commonly used in the treatment of cancer in Akinyele Local Government of Oyo State, Nigeria.Materials and methods: Focus-Group discussion and administration of semi-structured questionnaires were used to discover the practice of traditional medicine using plants. The methanol extracts of the commonly cited plants were then screened for cytotoxicity using the Brine shrimp lethality (BSL) and in vitro [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Two cancer (Rhabdomyosarcoma; RD and cervical; Hep-2C) and normal (Vero) cell lines were used for the screening of the extracts.Results: A total number of 45 Traditional Medical Practitioners and herb sellers were recruited for this study, 26 different plants were recorded with their local names and parts used for therapeutic preparation. Two plant extracts; Aframomum melegueta and Strophanthus hispidus were found to be active against the cancer cell lines and selective to normal cell line used.Conclusion: Some of the plants had cytotoxic properties on the cancer cell lines which supports the claims of the Traditional Medicinal Practitioners. However, the non-selectivity of some plants to normal cells could be a great threat to the cancer patients being treated.

Ethnobotanical survey of plants used by traditional health practitioners for treatment of schizophrenia spectrum disorders in Bandiagara, Mali, West Africa

Ethnopharmacological relevanceSchizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders are serious mental illnesses prevalent throughout the world. According to studies conducted in the district of Bandiagara, Mali, its prevalence varied from 1 to 3% of the population. Little is known, however, about the plants used to treat Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders and the local concepts used by the traditional health practitioners. Aim of the studyTo document medicinal plant related knowledge and use in the management of locally salient behavioral syndromes in the district of Bandiagara in Mali, that show some similarity with the academic concept of Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders. Material and methodsThis explorative study was based on qualitative research methods (using face-to-face interviews, a semi-structured questionnaire, discussions, field notes). During two months of field research, an exploratory ethnobotanical survey was conducted in 17 villages in the district of Bandiagara. Ethnobotanical data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, voucher collections and field walks in order to register the plant species used and the management of the traditional health practitioners on local syndromes that show similarity with the modern concept of schizophrenia. Results20 traditional health practitioners were interviewed. Local syndromes that show similarity with the academic concept of schizophrenia spectrum disorders were: igne (wind), guire (witchcraft), ogouloubelem (spirits of the bush), yebin (dwarf spirits), yapilin (spirits of dead pregnant women), amba wede (the madness of god), wede welewele (hot madness), wede kalal (cold madness) and wede pirou (true madness). Causes mentioned were the attack by Spirits of various kinds, bad luck, witchcraft and natural causes. The traditional treatment reported by traditional medicine practitioners included 41 plant species belonging to 19 plant families, among which Leguminosae was the most represented family with nine plants followed by Combretaceae, Apocyanaceae and Moraceae with three plants each. Securidaca longipedunculata Fresen. (Polygalaceae) was the plant used by most traditional health practitioners (17) followed by Khaya senegalensis (Desv.) A. Juss. (Meliaceae) (9), Boscia angustifolia A. Rich (Capparaceae) (5) and Annona senegalensis Pers. (Annonaceae) (4). It is noteworthy that the plants most commonly used were already or almost extinct from the Dogon country. ConclusionThis study gathered information on the local understanding of schizophrenia spectrum disorders, their causes and treatments given by the traditional health practitioners in Dogonland. Based on a literature survey on the plants used by the traditional health practitioners, evidence was found for interesting biological effects for the traditional use of some of the plants used. The traditional health practitioners were aware that several of the plant species were extinct or almost so in Dogonland. Measures need to be taken to counteract extinction threats to ensure a sustainable supply of raw material for the traditional treatment of schizophrenia in Dogonland.

Ethnobotanical Survey of Plants Used as Amulets Among the Banen Ethnic Group in Ndiki Sub-Division (Centre Region of Cameroon)

An ethnobotanical survey was carried in Ndiki sub-division of the Central Region of Cameroon to collect information on the use of plants in the manufacture of amulets among the Banen ethnic group. Focus group discussions and interviews were carried out from 2004 to 2010 and from 2013 to 2015 with a total of 50 respondents (34 men and 16 female) to gather information about local names of plants used, type of management (wild/cultivated), availability (common, sporadic, rare), existing threats, part(s) used, preparation methods, effects of amulets, associated taboos/beliefs, etc. A total of 11 plant species were recorded as used as amulet. They include Aframomum melegueta (Zingiberaceae), Cissus aralioides (Rubiaceae), Costus afer (Zingiberaceae), Euphorbia kamerunica (Euphorbiaceae), Imperata cylindrica (Poaceae), Kigelia Africana (Bignoniaceae), Morinda morindoides (Bak) Milne-Redh (Rubiaceae), Ornithogalum sp. (Amaryllidaceae), Pentaclethra macrophylla (Mimosaceae), Platycerium angolense (Polypodiaceae), Trachyphrynium braunianum (Maranthaceae). The amulets are used to protect people and their property, inflict sentiments of respect and fear. In case of violation, the perpetrator faces diverse punishments including suddenly seeing a big snake, hearing of a deafening scream in their ears, various evil and skin diseases. He can be healed upon confession of his wrongdoing to the owner of the amulet. This study shows that the traditional knowledge on amulets is an important part of the living habits and culture of Banen people who still have a strong belief in their efficacy.

Ethnobotanical survey of plants used to treat respiratory infections and related symptoms in the Limpopo Province, South Africa

Respiratory infections remain a major global health problem and are ranked amongst the top leading cause of morbidity and mortality. The present study was conducted in the Capricorn, Sekhukhune and Waterberg districts of Limpopo province, South Africa aimed at documenting medicinal plants used by Bapedi traditional healers (THs) to treat and manage respiratory infections and related symptoms. Ethnobotanical data was collected via interviews with 240 THs practicing as herbalists (58.7 %), herbalists and diviners (40.5 %), and diviners (0.4 %), using a semi- structured questionnaire, supplemented by personal observation. A total of 224 plant species (83.1 % indigenous and 16.9 % exotic) belonging to 177 genera and 85 botanical families, mainly belonging to the Fabaceae (25 spp.) and Asteraceae (16 spp.) families. The majority of species (84.1 %) were used to treat tuberculosis (TB), followed by sore throat (65.0 %), asthma (58.3 %), sinusitis (55.0 %), pneumonia (53.3 %) and rhinitis (43.7 %). The most widely used and preferred species characterized by high fidelity levels, use values, use mention and preference indexes included Clerodendrum ternatum, Cryptocarya transvaalensis, Enicostema axillare, Lasiosiphon caffer and Stylochaeton natalensis. Roots (64.0 %), leaves (13.0 %) and whole plants (6.0 %) were the most used plant parts. A total of 473 herbal recipes (66.3 %=mono and 33.3 %=poly), prepared mainly by boiling (46.0 %), pounding (43.1 %) and burning (2.9 %) were recorded. Different routes of administering these recipes were noted, with oral (75.6 %) and nasal (18.8 %), being the most preferred. Such repository of medicinal plants reinforces the need for evaluation of their ethnopharmacological properties as a basis for developing future medicines and pharmaceutical products.

Ethnobotanical Survey of Plants Used for Treating Cough Associated with Respiratory Conditions in Ede South Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria

In many developing countries, community members depend on their local flora for treating diverse ailments including those affecting the respiratory system. This is often attributed to the high cost and limited access to health care facilities. This present study focused on the documentation of plant species used against cough associated with the respiratory diseases in Ede South Local Government Area of Osun State. The survey was conducted using semi-structured interviews among 100 participants. Information obtained was analyzed using different ethno-botanical indices including relative frequency of citation (RFC) and fidelity level (FL). A total of 87 plant species from 39 families, which was mostly represented by Fabaceae, were reported in the study area. Crinum jagus was the most popular plant used against cough and approximately 32% of the plants have been reported as cough remedies for the first time. However, some of the documented plants have been reported for the treatment of cough and related respiratory diseases in several countries. In terms of the life-form, trees constituted the highest proportion of the medicinal plants (37%), while leaves (36%) were the predominant plant part prescribed for cough. Decoction was the main method of preparing the plants, which were all administered orally. Approximately 63% of the plants were exclusively sourced from the wild. The current study revealed the richness and widespread use of plant species for managing cough associated with respiratory diseases in the study area. The generated inventory contributes to the expanding database of valuable plant resources with medicinal potential in Nigeria and Africa.

Ethnobotanical survey of plants used in cancer therapy in Iwo and Ibadan, South-Western of Nigeria

Context: The increase in cancer morbidity and mortality, as well as high cost and adverse effects of the available cancer therapies, necessitate the need for the discovery of new and safe anticancer agents. Many medicinal plants, which have served as sources of beneficial drugs were revealed through an ethnobotanical survey. Aims: To reveal and document the medicinal plants used in treating cancer in Iwo and Ibadan, South-Western, Nigeria. Methods: The Snowball method was used to search and select the participants who included herb sellers, traditional medical practitioners, and herbalists. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information, which included herbal recipes, dosage, and methods of preparation of the herbs. Relative frequency citation (RFC), family use value (FUV) and medicinal use-value (MUV) were calculated. Results: A total number of 92 plant species belonging to 51 families were revealed. Citrus limon, Xylopia aethiopica and Crotalaria pallida had the highest RCF of 0.25, 0.22 and 0.17, respectively, while the family Leguminosae (10.99%) had the highest number of plants species. Three of the plants had the highest MUV of 0.12 while Bignoniaceae family had the highest FUV. Various parts of the plants were used in preparing these. Conclusions: Many plants used in treating cancer have been revealed in this study. Therefore, scientific validation of the biological properties of the species, both singly and in combination as used, is strongly recommended.