A survey of medicinal plants in Borgu Local Government Area, Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was carried out to identify the medicinal plants used for the treatment of different ailments in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger  State. Structured interview guides and direct field observation were used to collect data on the medicinal plants from one hundred and twenty  respondents. The results obtained revealed a total of 52 medicinal plants belonging to 30 Families were identified as being used for treating different ailments in the study area in which Fabaceae is the most common Family whereby the bark and the leaves are mostly used. The medicinal plants identified had multiples uses while some were effective as mixtures. Seventy percent of the respondents had informal training on herbal  medicine for two years. Twenty percent had formal training through forestry courses offered during advanced studies while ten percent inherited the knowledge from their parents. It was recorded that medicinal plants are cheaper, locally available and easily accessible than western drugs.  Therefore, the conservation of these medicinal plants will be highly imperative if mobilizing individuals and communities to participate actively in afforestation programme; extension workers should convince local herb sellers and herbalists of the value and importance of nature and biodiversity; and research and documentation of medicinal plants are carried out.

Keywords: Ailments, decoction, herbalists, medicinal plants, traditional, treatment.