A survey of the ethnozoological knowledge of honey bees Apis mellifera in Ijebu division of south western Nigeria

Trends and Challenges of Traditional Medicine in Africa

“…Weintritt (2007) identified at least 522 medicinal species used in the management of numerous ailments in Nigeria. Medicinal values of insects have also been documented in Nigeria (Banjo et al 2003;Lawal et al 2003). Banjo et al (2003) found out that among the Ijebu Remos, some insects, when combined with other ingredients, can be used for spiritual protection, preparation of love medicine, management of the eye and ear problems, as well as prevention and control of convulsion in children.…”

Fin-fishes in Yorùbá natural healing practices from southwest Nigeria

“…The explanation for this observation is not readily available in the absence of relevant ethnomedical data. On the basis of previous studies (Sodeinde and Soewu, 1999;Banjo et al, 2003Banjo et al, , 2004aLawal and Banjo, 2003) suggestive of prodigious use terrestrial animals in healing practice. The ready availability presents a possible explanation.…”

“…If an attempt to suggest the function is based solely on previous information on terrestrial animals (Taylor and Fox, 1992;Sodeinde and Soewu, 1999;Banjo et al, 2003Banjo et al, , 2004aLawal and Banjo, 2003), fishes may be mainly vehicle for making the consumption of other ingredient such as botanicals (Table 7) and other inputs (Plate 1) palate friendly. However, the additional considerations (i-iii above) made it difficult to establish the full complement of function or consequences of the presence of fin-fishes in treatment recipes in Yorùbá ethnomedicine.…”

“…Barnett (2000) believed that this proportion was about 80%. The premium on the use of animals and their derivatives in treatment preparations is evident in the range of available literature on diversity, uses, trade and implication for conservation (Anadu et al, 1988;Taylor and Fox, 1992;Sodeinde and Soewu, 1999;Banjo et al, 2003Banjo et al, , 2004aLawal and Banjo, 2003). The information was predominantly on terrestrial animals and their derivatives.…”

“…Previous studies on the use of animals in healing practices in southwest Nigeria (Sodeinde and Soewu, 1999;Banjo et al, 2003Banjo et al, , 2004aLawal and Banjo, 2003) were based on interviews, not on collection of or access to information on full complement of recipes used for treating different medical conditions. The information provided on contributions of animal groups was probably skewed ab initio in favour of items available for sale, familiar to the investigators or easily accessible.…”