The use of herbs as medications are enthusiastically recognized and extensively utilized in rural regions and in most developing countries. The lack of knowledge of the anti-nutrient contents of herbs reduces their use by the educated ones. To unveil these in the treatment of “ailments of utmost native importance” in Cross River State, this research carried out anti-nutrient analysis of the species used. Identified plants were separated from weeds and washed with water. The plant parts were processed and their extracts prepared according to the method described by Kumar et al., (2007). Hydrocyanic acid was estimated by the alkaline titration method, oxalate was determined according to procedures stipulated by Day and Underwood (1986) while phytic acid was determined using methods stipulated by Reddy and Love (1999). Results revealed that Phytic acid, oxalate and hydrocyanide all had low levels ranges of 2.47mg/100gDM to 6.17mg/100g DM, 12.82mg/100g DM to 30.41mg/100g DM and 1.62mg/100g to 6.23mg/100g DM respectively. Findings shows that these anti-nutrients are not within harmful ranges, and as such cannot interfere with the availability of potentially useful nutrients embedded in the species. These are below lethal doses to inflict any injury on humans. Keywords: Herbs, Anti-nutrients, Ailments, Lethal dose, Efficacy.

Objective: This study investigated the effects of Vernonia amygdalina supplementation on Vigna subterrenea (bambara groundnut) pudding on serum lipid profile and electrolyte levels in Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty five weanling rats were randomly selected into 5 groups of 5 rats each. Group 1 received normal rat pellet. Groups 2 and 3 received 10% and 5% (w/w) non supplemented bambara pudding, respectively. Groups 4 and 5 were fed with 10% and 5% (w/w) Vernonia supplemented bambara pudding, respectively, for 21 days. The animals were sacrificed using anaesthesia at the end of the experiment and blood sample collected for serum lipid profile and serum electrolyte determinations using standard methods. Results: There was a significant increase (p<0.05) in total cholesterol level in groups 2 (1.64 ± 0.01 mmol/L) and 4 (1.66 ± 0.01 mmol/L) compared to normal control (1.31 ± 0.02 mmol/L). Triacylglycerol level increased significantly in groups 2, 3, and 4 compared to normal control. The high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and Serum sodium level were significantly increased (p < 0.05) in group 2 and 4 respectively compared to the normal control. Potassium, chloride, bicarbonate and calcium levels showed significant increases in group 2 relative to normal control. Phosphate level decreased significantly in group 2 (1.37 ± 0.03 mmol/L), 3 (1.43 ± 0.03 mmol/L) and 5 (1.37 ± 0.03 mmol/L) when compared to normal control (1.75 ± 0.03 mmol/L) respectively. Conclusion: Consumption of bambara groundnut pudding supplemented with Vernonia leaves increases HDL-c level as well as supply appreciable amounts of electrolytes in the body.