Ethno-Botanical Survey of Potential Anti-Typhoid Fever Plant Species in Akinyele Local Government Area, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

There is an urgent need to document the indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants used because of its dependency on oral transmission which is at the risk of extinction and the destruction of the natural habitat by anthropogenic activities causing rapid loss of the plant species. The study focuses on documenting potential Anti-typhoid fever plants among herbalists in Akinyele Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria. The study was conducted during the rainy season from April to September 2019. A total number of 80 herbalists were randomly selected from eight villages within the study areas. Well-structured questionnaires administered to the respondents on an individual basis in the local language (Yoruba) were used to collect information on the medicinal plant species used in the treatment of typhoid fever. The data were analysed with descriptive statistics. The results showed a total number of twenty-three (23) plant species from 18 families used in the treatment of Typhoid fever in the study area. Apocynaceae family had the highest number of plant species. Leaves formed the major plant parts used; decoction had the highest percentage of the mode of preparation while oral administration by drinking had the highest percentage of the route of administration/ application of the recipes. The study further showed that all the plants reported had inherent secondary metabolites known as phytochemicals which makes them active against typhoid causative agents. The study concludes that medicinal plants are potent in the treatment of typhoid fever with respondents having adequate knowledge of their uses.