Ethnobotanical survey of anti-malarial plants used in Ilorin metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used in the treatment of malaria in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria was carried out between March and June, 2019. Ethno-botanical data were collected by oral interview with the aid of a semi-structured questionnaire administered to forty-seven (47) herb sellers. The respondents were aware of the signs and symptoms of malaria and could readily distinguish the ailments from other feverish symptoms and conditions. Symptoms reported include body weakness, high body temperature (hot skin), loss of appetite, coldness, mouth bitterness, headache, coloured eyes (yellow), sleepless night and urine colouration (yellowish). From the study, a total of thirteen (13) plant species belonging to nine (9) families including Aannonaceae, Aapocynaceae, Rrubiaceae, Oochnaaceae were described as being used for the treatment of malaria. The plant parts used were leaves, root, stem bark and seed with roots being the most used plant part. It was also observed that recipes were made from combination of different parts from more than one plant species including bark, root and leaves while some were made from single plant part. The most preferred mode of administration was oral, while decoction and infusion were the most preferred method of preparation. However, the study observed that Picralima nitida, Enanchia chloranta and Morinda nucida were the frequently mentioned plants. Hence, these plant species could be considered as promising candidates for further scientific validation in the search for new, effective and affordable antimalarial drugs.