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Published:
Oct 20, 2008Keywords:
Epilepsy Traditional healers prescription plants Hausa/Fulani.
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A Review Of Traditional Plants Used In The Treatment Of Epilepsy Amongst The Hausa/Fulani Tribes Of Northern Nigeria
Abstract
Five prescriptions used in the treatment of epilepsy amongst the Hausa/Fulani tribe of Northern Nigeria were collected from traditional healers. The five prescriptions containing eight plants were reviewed as in literature to ascertain scientific basis of their use in treatment of epilepsy. Securidaca longipedunculata (family Polygalaceace) was reported to have such property; Mitragyna inermis (family Rubiaceae) has alkaloids
structurally similar to clinically useful anticonvulsant. Celtis integrefolia (family Ulmaceae) was reported to contain gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) that its deficiency may lead to convulsions. The remaining plants were basically helpful in alleviation of associated symptoms of epilepsy except Centaurea praecox (family Asteraceae) which was
reported to have neurotoxic substances that may worsen the disease.
Keywords: Epilepsy, Traditional healers, prescription, plants, Hausa/Fulani.
African Journal of Trad, Comp and Alternative Medicine Vol. 5 (4) 2008: pp. 387-390
