Ethnomedicinal survey of plants used in management of common diseases in Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study conducted an ethnomedicinal survey of medicinal plants used for the management of common diseases in Umunede, Ika North-East Local Government Area, Delta State, Nigeria. The study investigated common diseases in the community, medicinal plants used in their management. Purposive sampling was used to select fifty (50) respondents from the community. A structured questionnaire and oral interview were used to obtain data for the study. Twenty-nine (29) medicinal plant species were identified and documented in the study area. The results of the study show that diseases such as malaria, cough, diarrhea, dysentery, respiratory infections and joint pains are common in the community. The study also reveals that Umunede residents still depend on traditional medicine in the management of common diseases in the community despite the availability of modern medical facilities in the community. Quantitative values were calculated in the study, which include use value, fidelity level, and informant consensus factor. The study also highlights the need for taxonomic description of medicinal plant resources to avoid the loss of indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants in the community. The results of this study provide baseline data for future ethnomedicinal and pharmacological studies in Delta State and Nigeria at large.

Keywords: Ethnomedicine, medicinal plants, indigenous knowledge, traditional medicine, Umunede, Nigeria