scholarly journals Ethnomedicinal survey of indigenous medicinal plants in Jos Metropolis, Nigeria

Author(s):  
Babajide C. Falemara ◽  
Victoria I. Joshua ◽  
Temitope I. Ogunkanmi ◽  
Wilfred O. Mbeng

Background: Indigenous knowledge is progressively fading out because of a lack of proper record-keeping, as the knowledge is transmitted verbally. There is, therefore, a dire need for preserving this valuable knowledge by ensuring proper documentation and sharing of traditional knowledge.Aim: This research study sought to explore the indigenous knowledge used by herbal medicine practitioners for treating various human ailments in Jos Metropolis of Plateau State, Nigeria.Setting: The study was conducted using a structured questionnaire administered to 100 registered traditional healers in Jos North LGA of Plateau State.Methods: Selected medicinal plants were collected, pressed and transported to the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), Ibadan for identification, authentication and deposition of voucher specimens for voucher number at FRIN herbarium, Ibadan. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the ethnomedicinal data.Results: Thirty-nine plant species, distributed in 33 families and 39 genera, were cited by the respondents. The Fabaceae was the most represented family, followed by the Euphorbiaceae and Myrtaceae. Leaves were the most used plant part (29%), whilstthe most cited plant habit forms include trees (48%) and herbs (31%). The herbal remedies were mostly administered orally (53%) and topically (26%), whilst the most common method of preparation was decoction (42%). The highest consensus factor (1.00) was detected for chickenpox or measles or leprosy, haemorrhoids and sickle cell ailments.Conclusion: There is an existence of a wide gap in traditional healing knowledge between the elderly and the younger generations in the study area. The high fidelity level observed in this study implied a general acceptance and preferred usage of such herbal plants for the treatment of particular ailments.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Misbahu Aman ◽  
Zemede Asfaw ◽  
Gemedo Dalle

Abstract Background Systematic documentation and promotion of indigenous knowledge associated with medicinal plants are limited. The aim of this study was to undertake ethnobotanical investigation on medicinal plants used for the treatment of human and livestock ailments and document indigenous knowledge of local communities on the preparation and administration of herbal remedies in the study area. Methods The study involved 153 informants from nine kebeles, comprising traditional healers, knowledgeable elders and local user communities. Various ethnobotanical techniques were used to collect and analyze data: semi- structured interview, guided field walk, group discussion, preference ranking, and fidelity level index. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis. Results Local communities had rich and diverse indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants, types of ailments, methods of remedy preparations and routes of applications. There were differences in this indigenous knowledge across age and sex. A total of 83 medicinal plants were documented during this study. Fifty two (62.65%) plants were used for treating human ailments, 20 species (24.10%) for treating health problems of livestock and the remaining 11 (13.25%) for treating both human and livestock ailments. The highest informant consensus was documented for the plants Allium sativum , Asparagus africanus and Azadirachta indica. Leaves were the most commonly used parts of medicinal plants accounting for 51.81% of the total followed by roots (20.48%) and barks (2.41%). Oral administration of the herbal medicine was the dominant route 66.3%, followed by dermal (22.7%) which included washing, holding on, rubbing and brushing. Smoking (8.5%) was also important. It was documented that 27 species (32.5%) were used in fresh, 13 species (15.7%) dried and 43 species (51.8%) either in dry or fresh state. Conclusion Owing to their access, curing ability, manageable charges, existence of deep indigenous knowledge and other associated cultural values, medicinal plants continued to play a significant role in meeting healthcare needs of the community in the study area. Conservation and sustainable use of the diverse medicinal plants need to be promoted. Systemic documentation and protection of the rich knowledge of local communities and further research on selected potential species was recommended as a result of this study.


2021 ◽  
pp. 77-82
Author(s):  
Arun K. Agrawal ◽  
Usha Devi ◽  
S.K. Kuriyal

Ethno-medicinal survey was undertaken from traditional healers of Bhutia tribal community of Urrarkashi district for the use of medicinal plants in the treatment of different skin diseases such as dog and insect bite, burns, eczema, abscesses, scabies, ringworm, cuts and wounds, boils, leprosy, blisters, allergy, itching, pimples, leucoderma, prickly heat, warts, septic ulcers, and other skin diseases during different season of March 2016 to May 2017. The indigenous knowledge of tribal traditional healers having practical knowledge of plants in medicine were interviewed in ve villages of Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand and plants used for medicinal purposes were collected through questionnaire and personal interviews during eldtrips. A total of 60 plant species of 43 families are documented in this study. The medicinal plants used in the treatment of skin diseases by tribal's are listed with botanical name (in binomial form), family, local names, habit, availability, parts used, and mode of preparation. This study showed that Bhutia tribal people in the studied parts of Uttarkashi district continue to depend on the medicinal plants at least for the treatment of primary healthcare.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fikadu Gutema ◽  
Weldegebrial G.Aregawi ◽  
Juhar Tesfaye Bekele ◽  
Abel sorsa Geletu

Abstract Background: Ethnoveterinary medicine is a scientific term for traditional animal health care that encompasses knowledge, belief, practice and skill of the community used for curing diseases and maintaining health of animals. A cross-sectional study was conducted using semi-structured questionnaires from September 2016 to August 2017 to gather information on the knowledge, practice and skill of the pastoralists and traditional healers about the importance and application of Ethno-veterinary medicine. Moreover, this study was conducted with the objectives of identification and documentation of major ethno-veterinary medicinal plants commonly used to treat camel aliments in Afar region.Result: A total of 146 traditional healers and pastoralists were interviewed for baseline and reliable information about Ethno-veterinary medicinal practice in Afar region. Accordingly, 99.3% of the respondents were men in which 66.44% of them were in the age range of 45-60. Majorities (76.02%) of the information’s concerning EVM were obtained from the elders among which 84.93% responded that the overall EVM practice and status in pastoral society of Afar is decreasing. A total of 710 plant species supposed to have medicinal property were recommended by pastoralists to be used for the treatment of 49 different animal diseases. Among 64 plants specimen collected, Balanites aegyptia, Cissus rotundifolia (Forssk.) Vahl, Cadaba rotundifolia Forssk, Solanum sp, Acalypha indica L and Tamarix aphylla (L.) Karsts were the commonly used plant species with high fidelity value. Concerned with plant parts used, leaf (20.5%) was the most frequently used plant parts followed by root (19.4%), fruit (14.4%), seed (10.8%) and entire plant (8.8%). These herbal remedies were administered orally, nasally, ocular and topically.Conclusion: pastoralists and traditional healers in Afar region have immense indigenous knowledge and practices of treating sick animals which should be supported by scientific techniques for analyzing the active ingredients contained in each plant species and for evaluating the safety, efficacy and dosage of the commonly used medicinal plants. In addition, on station establishment of commonly used medicinal plant nursery for conservation purpose and to conduct in-depth phytochemical analysis is paramount important.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Bourhia ◽  
Abdelaaty Abdelaziz Shahat ◽  
Omer Mohammed Almarfadi ◽  
Fahd Ali Naser ◽  
Wael Mostafa Abdelmageed ◽  
...  

Medicinal plants played an important role in traditional medicine for the treatment of diseases since antiquities. The aim of the study is to carry out an ethnobotanical survey on medicinal plants used traditionally in cancer treatment in the region of Greater Casablanca-Morocco, and to enhance the traditional herbal medicine knowledge. 110 traditional healers in the study area were interviewed face to face to response a survey questionnaire including the names of plants used in cancer treatment, used parts, methods of preparation, and route of administration. Indices of Fidelity Level (FL), Use Value (UV), and Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) were calculated to identify the most effective plants used for cancer treatment. Eight species were specified including Aristolochia baetica, Aristolochia paucinervis, Bryonia dioica, Aquilaria malaccensis, Marrubium vulgare, Lavandula maroccana, Ephedra alata, and Euphorbia resinifera belonging to 7 families. Aristolochiaceae, Aquilariaceae, and Cucurbitaceae were the most useful families in cancer treatment with high significant indices of UV, FL, and RFC with values of 1, 100%, and 1, respectively. Roots and leaves were the most commonly used plant parts. Decoction and powder mixed with honey were the frequently used method for remedies preparation. The present study showed that the people living in Morocco’s economic capital are still highly dependent on traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of cancer. Therefore, it seems that herbal medicine still plays a crucial role in the primary healthcare system for the local population. During this survey, it was reported that even some plant families are highly toxic for humans like Aristolochiaceae that are frequently used in cancer treatment in the study area. As many people still rely on natural traditional medicine considering (it is safe with no side effects), so combined effort between all social categories including scientists and traditional healers should be established for involving the scientific validity of the used plants in the treatment of diseases.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-47
Author(s):  
M Nagalakshmi ◽  
S Rashmi

An ethnobotanical survey was conducted to collect information from traditional healers on the use of herbal medicine in Doddakavalande Hobli, Nanjangud taluk of Mysore District. The indigenous knowledge of local healers was documented through questionnaire and personal interviews. In the present study, about 19 respondents of age group between 50 to 89 yrs gave information of traditional medicines used to cure different ailments. Of about 35 plant species belonging to 26 families were used for the treatment of human ailments. In which family Fabaceae and Polygonaceae contained 3 plant species, followed by Acanthaceae, Amaranthaceae, Apocynaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Poaceae contained 2 species each, and the rest of the families Amaryllidaceae, Anacardiaceae, Apiaceae, Aristolochiaceae, Asteraceae, Cleastraceae, Crassulaceae, Lamiaceae, Lecythidaceae,  Meliaceae,  Olaceae, Phylanthaceae, Piperaceae,  Plumbaginaceae, Poaceae, Polygonaceae, Rutaceae,  Smilacaceae, Solanaceae,  Styracaceae and Zingiberaceae. Habit wise analysis of medicinal plant species used indicated that herbs (19 species) were the most preferred life form followed by trees (8 species), shrubs (5 species) and climbers (3 species) for drug formulation. Herbal formulations were administrated either internally or applied externally depending on the type of ailment. Local people in the study area possess traditional knowledge of medicinal plants to treat various human ailments, therefore it is necessary to preserve the indigenous knowledge on traditional medicines by proper documentation, identification of plant species used, and herbal preparation. Keywords: Ethnobotany, Traditional knowledge, Medicinal plants, Mysore district.


1970 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 80-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajendra Acharya ◽  
Kamal Prasad Acharya

The indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants is gaining recognition worldwide because of its support in discovery of new medicines and its importance for proper conservation of biodiversity. Present study aims to explore the ethnobotanical information on medicinal plants used by Tharu community of Pahhoha VDC of Rupandehi district. The study was conducted during different periods of the year 2007. Informations on plant and plant parts uses were collected interviewing key informants using semi-structured open-ended questionnaire. Altogether 45 different plant species of plants belonging to 31 families and 42 genera were documented and majority of them are trees. In terms of plant and plant parts use, seed or fruits and leaf are in top priorities. These plants are used to treat different ailments ranging from gastro-intestinal to headache and fever, respiratory tract related problems to dermatological problems, snake bite to ophthalmic and cuts and wounds. Easy access to modern medicines and less recognition of traditional healers are the main causes leading to decrease in interest of young generation in the use of traditional medicinal practices. Keywords: Ethnobotany; Medicinal plants; Parroha VDC; Tharu. DOI: 10.3126/sw.v7i7.3832 Scientific World Vol.7(7) 2009 pp.80-84


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 154-172
Author(s):  
Negussie F. Bussa ◽  
◽  
Anteneh Belayneh ◽  

Ethiopia is home to a remarkable diversity of more than 1000 species of medicinal plants. The Harari and Oromo communities living in the prehistoric town of Harar and the surroundings have long history of knowledge and practices of treating human and livestock ailments using medicinal plants. However, this has remained little or no empirically studied. Semi-structured interviews, discussions and guided field walks were used to collect data from 80 randomly and systematically selected informants among who 16 were traditional herbalists. Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), Cultural Importance Index (CII), Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), Use Diversity (UD), Non-parametric Kruskal Wallis, and Wilcoxon tests were conducted using R software version 3.3.4. A total of 142 wild and cultivated traditional medicinal plant species belonging to 124 genera and 57 families of which leaves are favoured by traditional healers were identified as herbs. Concoction, or filtering, and infusion, or boiling, were the most practiced methods of remedial preparations of the wild and cultivated medicinal plants, respectively. The highest ICF value was recorded for treating toothache and mouth infections (0.93) followed by gastritis, heartburn/pyrosis (0.84). The most culturally important and the highest diversity index were found to be Ocimum lamiifolium and Allium sativum. There were valuable and diversified wild and cultivated ethno-medicinal plant species associated with indigenous knowledge. The reputability of the indigenous knowledge should be corroborated with phytochemical and pharmacological analyses. Moreover, the status of conservation of these plant species and associated ethnomedicinal knowledge needs further investigations.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miora Henintsoa Andrianarivelo ◽  
Andriamalala Rakotondrafara ◽  
Rianasoambolanoro Rakotosaona ◽  
Vonjison Rakotoarimanana ◽  
Christian Marius Rakotonirina ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundThe Ankaratra Mountain, the third summit of Madagascar, is covered in a large part by herbaceous vegetations. It is among regions where ethnobotanical works have not been done yet. Besides, there have not been so far any surveys of medicinal plants conducted in savannah vegetation from Madagascar. The objective of the present communication was to study the diversity of medicinal species encountered in this mountain, the most used species in traditional medicine and the most important species used to treat diseases with medicinal plants.MethodsThe voucher specimens of surveyed species in the Ankaratra Mountain were shown individually to 26 local traditional healers. Semi-structured interview was employed and dealt with the main questions such as: do you know this plan? Do you know the uses of this species in traditional medicine? Do you know the method of preparation?ResultsOf the two hundred and three species (203) of medicinal plants inventoried in the Ankaratra Mountain, 139 (73.9%) are endemic and 69 (33.9%) are new to the ethnopharmacopea. The savannah vegetation hosts the highest number of species (35.5%). They are also more cited than the forestry species. Endemic species are the most used (FC=77.8%) and the most important (FL=71.6%). The most diversified and the most used genera are dominated by the best-represented ones in endemic species. The most cited diseases are those which require particular knowledge and those frequently encountered in Madagascar.ConclusionThis work provides the first information on the ethnobotany of plant species in the Ankaratra Mountain. These data can be considered as a valuable tool to support any actions directed to the conservation of the flora from the massif. The ecological study of the most cited endemic species and the most important in the treatment of diseases as well as their chemical and pharmacological investigations are among our perspectives of research.


2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (11) ◽  
pp. 2589-2598
Author(s):  
Deepankar Rath ◽  
Gurudutta Pattnaik ◽  
Biswakanth Kar

Diabetes mellitus, commonly known as diabetes, is a group of metabolic disorder associated with elevated blood glucose level. World health organization recommended the traditional and herbal remedies for the diabetic management. The application of herbal remedies is extremely increased worldwide in the last three decades. Most of the synthetic drugs were discovered from the plant source out of different regions of the world to meet the demand. Several medicinal plants like Gymnema sylvestre, Pterocarpus marsupium, Catharanthus roseus, Trigonella foenum, Annona squamosa, Aegle marmelos, Withania somnifera, Boerhavia diffusa, Boerhavia erecta, Momordica charantia, Cocos nucifera, Ricinus communis, Azadira chtaindica and Aloe vera have been reported to have varying level of hypoglycemic property. One of the factors involved in the evolution of diabetic convolutions is the impairment due to free radicals and hence a compound with antioxidant and antidiabetic potential would be more effective. The present review article was designed to provide an absolute data on these medicinal plant based remedies by using the traditional healers of Odisha state, India.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Augustine A. Boadu ◽  
Alex Asase

Traditional medicine is an important component of the health care system of most developing countries. However, indigenous knowledge about herbal medicines of many Ghanaian cultures has not yet been investigated. The aim of the present study was to document herbal medicines used by traditional healers to treat and manage human diseases and ailments by some communities living in Ghana. The study was conducted in eight communities in southern Ghana. Data were collected from 45 healers using ethnobotanical questionnaire and voucher specimens were collected. A total of 52 species of plants belonging to 28 plant families were reportedly used for treatment and management of 42 diseases and ailments. Medicinal plants were commonly harvested from the wild and degraded lowland areas in the morning from loamy soil. Herbal medicines were prepared in the form of decoctions (67%) and infusions (33%). Oral administration of the herbals was most (77%) common route of administration whereas the least used routes were nasal (1%) and rectal (2%). The results of the study show that herbal medicines are used for treatment and management of both common and specialized human diseases and that factors of place and time are considered important during harvesting of plants for treatments.


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