Assessment of indigenous plants for health care delivery by the people of Okpara Inland, Ethiope East L.G.A. Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

The Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants was carried out at Okpara Inland, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State. The research was aimed at assessing and reviewing plant species used for the treatment of different ailments issues by the people. The information on the plants administration was gotten from, locals, farmers and traditional healers. Medicinal plants believed to be effective in treatment and management of human diseases were collected and identified. Phytochemical screening was carried out on selected species to quantitatively evaluate their composition. Twenty one (21) plants were identified into fourteen (14) plant families comprising of Asteraceae (19%), Cucurbitaceae (14.2%), Annonaceae (9.4%), Euphorbiaceae (9.4%), Anacardiaceae (4.8%), Basellaceae (4.8%), Bignoniaceae (4.8%), Convolvulaceae (4.8%), Crassulaceae (4.8%), Dioscoreaceae (4.8%), Lamiaceae (4.8%), Moringaceae (4.8%), Myrtaceae (4.8%) and Poaceae (4.8%). The life forms were observed to be herbs (42.9%), climber (28.6%), tree (23.8%) and shrub (4.7%). The plants were used to treat ailments such as malaria, cough, catarrh, dysentery, ear pain and body pains among others. The plants collected posse some essential phytochemicals in varying quantities. Quantitative analysis of Ocimum gratissimum, Vernonia amygdalina and Psidium guajava showed the presence of Alkaloid, saponin, steroid, tannin, flavonoid and phenol occurring at different percentage which could be responsible for the medicinal potentials of the plants.