Ethnomedicinal Survey of Botanicals Used by Herbal Practitioners in Yagba East Local Government of Kogi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Despite the great values and importance of ethnobotany to the lives of men, a large percentage of distribution and utilization are yet to be identified and appropriately documented. This survey aims at identifying and documenting the medicinal plants as well as their methods of formulation for use among the people of Kogi State, Nigeria. A combination of semi-structured open ended questionnaires and guided interactive survey techniques were used to obtain information as a total of 70 respondents were interviewed. Guided direct field observation method was used for collection of cited specimen which was identified in accordance with standard taxonomic practices. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. A total of 53 medicinal plant species belonging to 36 families were identified among others as reported in this survey with the Fabaceae family being the most abundantly utilized. Leaves (47.8%), fruits (19.5%) and stem bark (10.8%) are most frequently employed and the remedies are administered mostly as decoction (s) and infusion. Ailments such as gynecological disorders, mental and nervous malfunctioning, GIT infection and disturbances, and fever, are mostly reported as commonly treated. The survey provides a veritable source of information and a reliable documentation of medicinal plants from flora of Nigeria and their uses. A further study is suggested on pharmacological evaluations of reported activities and pharmacological acceptable packaging of these medicaments.