Ethnobotanical uses of plants in Nigeria: an analysis of current research trends and patterns.

Abstract

Background: The ethnobotanical landscape in Nigeria reflects a complex interplay of biodiversity, cultural traditions, and health practices deeply rooted in indigenous knowledge. However, the fragmented body of knowledge in the existing limited inventory poses a threat to the loss of these plants and the associated indigenous knowledge. This review examined the historical and cultural uses of plants, as well as their long-term utilisation patterns.

Methods: Using a systematic search, the Web of Science, Scopus, and Dimensions were explored to gather ethnobotanical literature on utilisation of plants in Nigeria from 1964 to 2024. In addition, bibliometric tools were applied to establish the research trends and patterns.

Results: From the 79 eligible studies, we collated 963 plants across 144 families (dominated by Fabaceae with 127 plants) utilised in seven categories namely medicinal/healthcare, spiritual, cosmetics, biopesticides, poison, timber, and fuelwood. An estimated 11% (103) of the 963 plants were classified as popular, with mentions ranging from 11 to 42 times, and the three top cited plants were Carica papaya (42), Vernonia amygdalina (42) and Mangifera indica (41). Most of the identified notable plants (e.g., Azadirachta indica, Carica papaya, Mangifera indica, and Vernonia amygdalina) had significant geographic and cultural relevance. The spiritual, medicinal, and socio-economic roles of these plants were intricately influenced by ethnic identities, ecological zones, and religious beliefs. Cross-regional and cross-cultural analyses revealed that the Southwest and Northeast regions accounted for the highest (70.98%) and lowest (10.28%) prevalence of plant use in Nigeria. Generally, plant utilisation patterns varied across regions, with certain shared uses identified thereby highlighting inter-ethnic connections, while others revealed localised traditions. We identified 19 plants (e.g., Azadirachta indica, Mangifera indica, Vachellia nilotica and Ximenia americana) that were common to the six regions in Nigeria. Bibliometric analysis revealed that the evolution of plant research in Nigeria, from traditional knowledge to more specialised molecular and applied research methodologies. We defined three distinct timelines associated with ethnobotany in Nigeria entailing the initial phase associated with the fundamental period (1964-1989), expansion and growth with shifting focus in research (1990-2009) which was followed by the modernisation and integration (2010-2024).

Conclusion: Ethnobotanical research in Nigeria remains active, reflecting the extensive uses of plants to meet the daily needs of local communities. Nonetheless, challenges persist, including insufficient documentation of indigenous practices, limited collaboration, instances of non-adherence to best practices in ethnobotanical surveys. Addressing these challenges is crucial for the sustainable management of the ethnobotanical heritage in Nigeria.