Ethnomedicinal survey of plants found in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

An ethno-medicinal survey of plants was carried out in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria. Oral interview and questionnaires were administered to traditional medicinal practitioners (14%), farmers (29%), civil servants (2%), herb sellers (47%), house-wives (5%) and unskilled workers (3%). A recent and valid nomenclature, along with scientific names, local names, prescription and mode of administration of the plant extract used in treating several ailments, was documented. The families Fabaceae and Combretaceae were found to be highest with 16.12% followed by Oleaceae, Anacardiaceae, Myrtaceae, Meliaceae with 6% and the rest of the 24 families with 3.22% each as well as their frequency of occurrence. The parts of plants used, method of preparation and mode of administration were also recorded. Majority of the plants used in ethno-medicine were trees (59.5%), shrubs (19.0%), herbs (14.2%), grasses (2.38%), creeping (2.38%) and parasitic (2.38%). The parts used were leaves (35%), stems (25%), roots (18%), bark (3%), fruit (9%), seed (6%), whole plant (3%) and twig (1%). Several plant parts were used for curing several ailments; the plant species were found to be important in the prevention of most diseases affecting the local dwellers in Mangu L.G.A.