A Survey of Major Ethno Medicinal Plants of Kano North, Nigeria, Their Knowledge and Uses by Traditional Healers

Abstract

An ethno botanical survey of major ethnomedicinal plants was carried out in the study area (Kano north senatorial district, Nigeria), their knowledge and uses by the local healers was determined. Data was obtained through the use of interviewer administered questionnaires, distributed at random to the traditional healers as the target respondents. Research shows that various plant species from 25 families were reported to be used in the treatment of various human ailments. Majority of these plants (73.2%) were wild, and 40% were harvested mainly for their leaves. Most of the plants were trees (44%). About 45.2% have been reported to be used in dry form. Concoction was the major method of preparation of the medicinal plants (46%). The most reported threat to the availability of medicinal plants was deforestation (43.6%). Many additives like edible oil, honey, butter, porridge, garlic were used in almost 58% of the remedy preparations. In addition, more than one medicinal plant species were used more frequently than the use of single species for medicinal preparations.

Antimicrobial Properties of Leptadenia Hastata (Pers) Decne Leaves Extract

“…Salmonella enterica typhi, is an obligate parasite which leads to the development of typhoid fever [18]. In previous studies, Leptadenia hastata has been reported to play an important role in growth inhibition against bacteria, fungi, viruses, hypertension and tumors [19][20][21][22]. In agreement with the report of Alero and Wara [23] that Methanol and water extracts from the leaves of Leptadenia hastata showed antibacterial activities.…”

“…Local healers also use the plant for hypertension, catarrh and skin diseases [11]. It is commonly used as a vegetable and is considered as a famine food in Niger republic due to its high content of valuable nutrients rich in various types of amino acids, fatty acids, terpenes, carotenes, luteines and poly-oxy pregnane [10,[12][13][14].…”

Ethnobotanical study of Senegal custard apple (<i>Annona senegalensis</i> Pers.) in Dassa-Zoumétownship, Republic of Benin

“…Thus, some organs (stem bark, root bark and roots) possess anti-venomous activity according to some respondents. The anti-venomous activity of the plant was also reported by Dambatta et al (2011) in Nigeria. From the results of our survey, it also appears that the leaves and roots of this plant were used in the treatment of malaria, sexual impotence, cough, abscess, icterus and rheumatism.…”

Antibacterial and Cytotoxic Actions of Chloroform Crude Extract of Leptadenia hastata (Pers) Decnee

“…Farmers deliberately grow the species in their homes as food readily available [10]. Local healers use the plant for hypertension, catarrh and skin diseases [11]. The breeders commonly used the leaf and the stems for the treatment of parasites and against placental retention among their animals [12,13].…”