Ethno-botanical survey of medicinal plants In Apa Local Government Area, Benue State Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigates the socio-economic characteristics and traditional medicinal practices in Apa Local Government Area (LGA), Benue State, Nigeria. The area, known for its fertile lands and significant agricultural potential, was examined to understand the use of local medicinal plants and the demographic profile of its inhabitants. Utilizing a stratified multistage random sampling technique, data was collected from 156 respondents, including traditional medical practitioners (TMPs) and local residents. Results indicate that the majority of respondents are male farmers aged between 50 and 59 years, with primary education being the most common educational level. Traditional medicine is widely practiced, with a preference for combining various plant species to enhance efficacy. Majority of respondents (67.50%) agreed to use both local herbs and orthodox methods in treating of the ailments. Most (78.33%) of plant species are not cultivated but gotten from the wild. The result further revealed that thirty three plant species were identified as plants used in the treatment of various ailments in the study area, belonging to nineteen (19) families. Most medicinal plants are harvested from the wild due to difficulties in cultivation, which raises concerns about sustainability and conservation. Key ailments treated include fever, typhoid, and gastrointestinal issues, with plants like Azadirachta indica and Moringa oleifera being most frequently mentioned. The study highlights a significant reliance on traditional herbal medicine, with many TMPs having been in practice for over a decade. This traditional knowledge, primarily passed down verbally, is at risk due to modernization and the younger generation's decreasing interest in herbal practices. The findings underscore the need for sustainable practices and documentation to preserve both the plants and the traditional knowledge associated with them.