article · Science World Journal
An ethnobotanical survey in Kaduna North and Kaduna South documented indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants from sixty-two respondents. The study identified and authenticated fifty-two plant species across thirty-seven botanical families utilised to treat common health conditions. Trees formed the primary plant type recorded, with leaves and barks being the most frequently harvested parts. Preparations were predominantly decoctions administered orally. The most widespread ailments treated included haemorrhoids, malaria, jaundice, typhoid, and ulcers. The most commonly cited plant species were Mangifera indica, Psidium guajava, Senna occidentalis, Eucalyptus camadulensis, and Securidaca longepedunculata. Findings indicate that herbal medicine remains an essential component of local healthcare delivery because these plants are readily available, affordable, and contain biologically active compounds.
Documenting traditional plant usage preserves indigenous healthcare knowledge and highlights reliance on affordable botanical remedies for endemic conditions like malaria and typhoid. Identifying the exact species and plant parts used provides a documented baseline for public health planning and potential pharmacological investigation into bioactive compounds.
This work sits at an early, exploratory stage, cataloguing plant species and their traditional applications without laboratory validation or product formulation. Pharmaceutical researchers and phytomedicine developers could use this survey to select candidate plants, such as Senna occidentalis or Securidaca longepedunculata, for future extraction and bioactivity testing. Any commercial health products or standardised herbal treatments would require extensive chemical characterisation, efficacy testing, and safety trials.
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An Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicine Plants in two Local Government Area of Kaduna north and south, Kaduna state was carried out, with a view to document the indigenous knowledge of some medicinal plant species found in the area. Questionnaire instrument was designed; for information on demographic data, the most common ailments and plants species used in managing these ailments from sixty-two (62) respondents. The plant species were identified authenticated and herbarium specimens prepared. From the survey, a total of Fifty-two (52) plant species belonging to thirtyseven (37) different families were found to be useful in the treatment of common ailments. Trees were mostly used and the parts of the plants used most frequently applied were the leaves and barks. Medications were mainly prepared in decoctions and taken orally. The questionnaires revealed that the most common ailments were pile, malaria, jaundice, typhoid, and ulcer in that order, and the most frequently used plant species were Mangifera indica, Psidium Guajava, Senna occidentalis, eucalyptus camadulensis and Securidaca longepedunculata respectively. It is concluded that herbal medicine will continue to be a majorcomponent for health care delivery system in the community due to their biologically active compounds, availability and affordability.
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DOI: 10.4314/swj.v20i4.56
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