Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used in the treatment of opportunistic skin infection among the people of Itas/Gadau Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Nigeria

Abstract

The use of plants for the treatment of opportunistic skin infections has been on the increase and the current renewed interest in natural products to sustain health globally cannot be over emphasized. A survey of the major ethno medicinal plants was carried out in Itas/Gadau LGA, where some ethno medicinal plants used in treating skin infections and various ailments were documented. The investigation included names and parts of plants used, ailments cured, preparation and administration of local herbs. Data was obtained through the use of administered questionnaire’s distributed at random to traditional healers as target respondents. It was shown that various plant species from 10 families were reported to be used in treating ailments, majority of these plants (72%) are wild, Detarium microcarpum, Carissa edulis and Anogeissus leiocarpus 35.5% were mainly harvested for their stem/bark. About 65.2% constitutes the most frequent route of administration by topical application. The most frequent method of preparation is by grinding and direct application of the powder to the affected area, whereas the most common skin infection treated with the medicinal plants is eczema (39.1) The most reported threat to the availability of medicinal plants is deforestation (43.6%), in some cases additives like edible oil and honey are used in 58% of remedy preparations. It is therefore recommended that the plants used should be investigated to ascertain their safety and efficacy in order to improve the quality of life of man.

Key words; Ethno botany, opportunistic skin infection and ailments.