ETHNOBOTANICAL SURVEY OF SOME MEDICINAL PLANTS IN LOKOJA, KOGI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

 An ethno-botanical study was conducted in Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria in order to identify plant species used for managing and treating various ailments in the area. The study involved the collection of bio- demographic features from respondents using scientifically structured questionnaires. Collection and identification of plant species of ethno-botanical importance was also carried out. A total of 90 respondents (Herbal practitioners) were interviewed during the study. Females 49 (54.4%) within the age range of 51-60 years were more into the business of traditional herbal medicine. A majority of the respondents were illiterates 38(42.2%), traditional healers 47(52.2%) and their source of knowledge was inheritance 49 (54.4%). A total of 45 plant species were identified as plants used for managing and treating various ailments in Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria.The plants belonged to twenty two (22) families which were Fabaceae (5),Rubiaceae (5),Asteraceae (5), Anacardiaceae (3),Euphorbiaceae (3),Malvaceae (3),Combretaceae (2), Cucurbitaceae (2), Lamiaceae (2), Amaryllidaceae (2),Rutaceae (2), Annonaceae (1), Ascleiadaceae (1), Araceae (1), Bignoniaceae (1), Bombaceae (1), Meliaceae (1), Paniaceae (1), Sapotaceae (1), Verbenaceae (1), Vitaceae (1) and Zygophyllaceae (1).Thirty nine percent (39%) of the plants identified were herbs, the leaves (30%) were the most used plant parts and wild plant species (48%) were the most used plant life forms for the management and treatment of various ailments. Morindalucidain the family Rubiaceae had the highest incidence of encounter, with a fidelity level of 90% and was identified as the most popularly used plant species for managing and treating of various ailments in Lokoja. The study has documented different traditional practices used for the management and treatment of various ailments in Lokoja. It has also provided the ethno-medicinal foundation for the pharmacological properties of notable medicinal plant species on various ailments and diseases. The study recommends that the knowledge of ethno-botanical plants should be passed on from generation to generation, through inheritance or apprenticeship, and advocates for the conservation of these plant species, to guarantee their availability at any point in time. Further studies are recommended to scientifically evaluate and validate these plant species by subjecting them to pharmacological activity essay in order to ascertain the claims of the traditional healers. These plant species could also be screened for their pharmaceutical properties, which could be useful in the formulation of new drugs.