Ethnobotanical assessment of plants used to aid parturition in Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

Medicinal plants used to aid parturition in many parts of Nigeria are poorly described, though herbal remedies used to aid parturition in human and animal have long been recognized as one of the oldest form of remedies. The aim of this study was to identify native medicinal plants, their uses, methods of preparation and evaluation of their side effects in Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Data were collected from traditional medical  practitioners, herbalists and herb sellers in twelve towns and villages in three local councils of FCT, 41 medicinal plants belonging to twenty one families were identified. The most frequently used families were  Asclepiadaceae and Asdepiadaceae. This survey showed that Leptodenia lancifolia and Calotropis procera were among the frequently used plants to manage cases of dystocia, retained placenta and aid parturition in animals. This survey signifies the ethno medicinal value of many plant species found in Federal Capital Territory.

Keywords: Ethnobotanical, Federal Capital Territory, Medicinal plants, Parturition, Survey