Ethno medicinal Herbal Knowledge and Practice among Elders in Igalamela-Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria

Authors : Thomas ABU, Olorunsola BAMİDELE

Pages : 98-106

View : 16 | Download : 9

Publication Date : 2020-12-15

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objective: Documented Population based data on the use of herbal medicinal products and traditional knowledge among the younger generations is lacking in Nigeria and Africa at large and this is due to dearth of information passed across by the elderly ones. The aim of this study is to investigate and document the extent of use and general knowledge of herbal medicine among the elders in the Igala communities of Nigeria for the purpose of the younger and future generation. Methods: This study was carried out in Uwowo and Ajaka communities in Igalamela-Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State using a semi structured questionnaire/Interview and informal conversation with the respondents. Data collected were analyzed using Microsoft Office Excel, 2007 to generate frequencies. Results: In total, sixty-eight insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(68); plant species distributed under forty insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(40); families with their ethnomedicinal uses were documented. Gastrointestinal tract disorders ranked highest among the categories of diseases cited by the respondents insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(20.51%); and 18.28% of plant species were mentioned for this category while Opthalmology and Venereal diseases ranked the lowest with 0.85% respondents’ citation and 1.08% of plant species mentioned. Conclusions: The study revealed that older generation are the major custodians of herbal knowledge. There is therefore the need to document and enlighten the older generation on the need to transfer the specialty knowledge of herbal medicines to the younger and future generation.
Keywords : Herbal medicine, Gastrointestinal tract, Traditional, Plants, Nigeria