Survey Exploration of Some Plants Used in Managing Hypertension in the North Central States of Nigeria

Introduction

This study entails surveying and documenting information on the traditional management of hypertension using medicinal plants among people in the North Central States of Nigeria.

Methods

Ethnomedicinal survey was conducted across the region using questionnaires, tape recorders and interpreters. Questionnaires were administered to 180 respondents in 200 locations. The generic and family names of each plant species were documented following authentication.

Results

Seventy-two (72) medicinal plant species belonging to 65 genera and 45 families were cited from 180 respondents of which 107 were traditional healers. Respondents reported that inheritance (104 informants) and apprenticeship (56 informants) were the two modes of indigenous knowledge acquisition. The frequency of use of each plant species as a folkloric antihypertensive agent revealed that Anacardium occidentale has the lowest use value and fidelity level (0.57, 14.29), while Moringa oleifera has the highest use value and fidelity level (0.95, 90.00), respectively. The family Rubiaceae has the highest representation of plant species (7.04%). Most plants were wild (46.48%), and herbs had the most significant representation (42.25%). The preferred mode of administration of traditional medicine was oral, and the dosage regimen was 30 ml three times daily. Most of the respondents were aged between 41 and 50.

Conclusions

This study documents antihypertensive plants used among the indigenous communities within the North Central States of Nigeria. The unevaluated plants may be a viable reservoir of alternative sources of antihypertensive drug development.