Agrotechnology

Ethnomedical studies of plants used for treatment of diseases in eastern part of Nigeria

3^rd International Conference on Agriculture & Horticulture

October 27-29, 2014 Hyderabad International Convention Centre, India

Ferdinand N Mbagwu

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Agrotechnol

Abstract:

An investigation into the ethno medical studies on plants used in the treatment of certain diseases in Eastern Nigeria was carried out. The results showed that different plant species belonging to different families of flowering plants were used for the treatment of one aliment or the order. The plants were made up of cultivated, wild and protected species. Species of plant such as Cocos nucifera, Newbouldia laevis, Asmina triloba, lcacina trichantha, Azadirachta indica, Musa paradisaca etc. were implicated in the treatment of more than one disease. Difference diseases including serious cases as madness, fibroid, diabetes, gonorrhea etc were reported curable by the plants. Aspects of ingredients such as the maintenance of standard quality by the use of specific quantities of plant extracts and a tendency towards specialization by the practitioners were apparent in this study. The fear of lack of government approval due to lack of medical certificate was reportedly hindering the growth of the practice. Based on this investigation, the researcher recommended among other things, that the Federal Government of Nigeria should as a matter of urgency consider publishing the Natioanl Policy on ethnomedical research. Keywords: Ethnobotany, diseases, treatment, medicinal plants, eastern Nigeria.