Medicinal Utilization of Roots of Forest Plants in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper evaluates some of the valuable medicinal forest plant roots commonly used by various ethnic groups in Kaduna State, Nigeria. A set of sixty (60) structured questionnaire was purposively administered to traditional healers, herbs traders, civil servants, and other herb users in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Results showed that age, sex, marital status, educational status and occupation of respondents have no significant relationship (p>0.05) with the uses of herbs. It also showed that there are a total of thirty seven (37) families of forest plant roots comprising of 60 different plants identified in the survey for treating various diseases or symptoms. These plants include Vitex doniana (Dinya), Anona senegalensis (Gwandan dabi), Khaya senegalinsis (Madaci). Opilia celtidifolia (Rufan gada), Moringa olifera (Zogale), Mangifera indica (Mangoro), Pisidium guijava (Gwaiba) Zimenia Americana (Tsada) Pakia biglobosa (Dorawa). Some of the uses cannot be proven scientifically. Efforts should be made to develop herbal medication to serve as an alternative to orthodox medication.