Research Article Open Access

Ethnobotany of Medicinal Plants commonly used by Eegun Tribe in Badagry Local Community of Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

Ethnobotanical studies are recognized as the most viable method of identifying and documenting new medicinal plants for pharmacological screenings. The objective of this study was to establish a regional profile of the Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS) for medicinal plants used in the treatment of various diseases in Badagry local community of Lagos State, Nigeria. An ethnobotanical survey was undertaken to collect information from herb merchants, traditional healers and other people from different walks of life in the study area during March and October 2020. Sixty (60) medicinal plant species that belong to 35 families were identified in the community. The highest number of plants were mentioned for infections (15) followed by infertility (10) while internal heat (2) had the least number of plants. Leaves were the highest mentioned plant parts followed by fruits, bark and roots while using the whole plant was the least mentioned. Some of the plants identified were mentioned for the treatment of more than one disease/ailment; Allium sp (6) had the highest number of diseases being used for. This was followed by Carica papaya (3), Citrus medica (3), Aloe barbadensis (2), Jatropha gossypifolia (2), Morinda lucida (2), Mangifera indica (2), Persea americana (2) and Eugenia aromatica (2). Decoctions and infusions were the most popular modes of preparation. This study allows for identification and documentation of many high valued medicinal plant species, indicating high potential for economic development through sustainable collection of these medicinal plants.

Olubunmi J. Sharaibi*, Omoteso K. Oluwa, Kehinde T. Omolokun, Chiamaka S. Hundeyin, AbdulAzeez A. Ogbe, Hajarat O. Banwo

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