AN ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS USED BY

THE HAUSA/FULANI COMMUNITIES IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA.

BY

ONAGORUWA, TOYIN MICHAEL

140803029

A PROJECT REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF

BOTANY, IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT FOR THE AWARD OF
BACHELOR DEGREE (B.Sc.) IN BOTANY.

OCTOBER, 2018

_________________________ _________________________
MR. NODZA, G.I. PROF. UMEBESE, C.E
SUPERVISOR HEAD OF DEPARTMENT

_________________________ _________________________
DATE DATE
 CERTIFICATION

This is to certify that this project was carried out by ONAGORUWA, TOYIN MICHAEL with

matriculation number 140803029 under the supervision of MR. NODZA, G.I as a pre-requisite

for the award of the Bachelor of Science in Botany.

………………………………. …………………………

MR. NODZA, G.I DATE

SUPERVISOR

ii
 DEDICATION

I dedicate this project report primarily to my Heavenly Father, the Lord of Host, for preserving

my life throughout this degree study. It was by Only His grace and mercies that I could see the

completion of this report. Secondly, this research project is dedicated to Science, from which I've

learned the following skill: Excellent research and analytical skill, critical evaluation skills,

systematic approach, and problem-solving skills all of which I'm taking along with me to better

equip myself for the outside world where survival of the fittest is essential.

iii
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The success and final outcome of this project required a lot of guidance and assistance from

many people and I am extremely privileged to have got this all along the completion of my

project. All that I have done is only due to such supervision and assistance and I would not forget

to thank them. I want to especially thank my project supervisor Mr. Nodza, George Isaac for his

timely support and guidance right from the onset till the completion of my project work. I can

only do nothing but wish him well in all his endeavours.

I heartily thank Dr. Oludare Agboola who is also a lecturer in the department of Botany, for

suggestions in constructing a perfect questionnaire for the study. Also, I'll like to thank Mr.

Americana as he is fondly called by his peers for his selfless act towards me during the field

interview.

I also want to acknowledge and thank the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria

(SPDC) for offering me a scholarship to pursue Botany at the University of Lagos.

Finally, I want to acknowledge my parents Mr. and Mrs. Ayo Onagoruwa for the love and

support they've been showing me right from my childhood till this day. Their love towards me is

immense and the monetary support offered by them is second to none.

iv
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pages
Title Page i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgements iv
Table of Contents v
List of Tables vii
List of Figures viii
Abstract ix

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE REVIEW 1
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Traditional Medicine in Nigeria 3
1.3 Hausa-Fulani Migrations into Yorubaland 4
1.4 Aim and Objectives 6

CHAPTER TWO
MATERIALS AND METHODS 7
2.1 Study Area 7
2.2 Ethical Approval 10
2.3 Field Work and Ethnobotanical Data Collection 10
2.4 Data Analysis 11

CHAPTER THREE
RESULTS 13
3.1 Biodata of the Respondents 13
3.2 Medicinal Plants Documented 15
3.3 Plant Parts Used and Mode of Preparation 24
3.4 Life Forms, Dosage and Route of Administration 26
3.5 Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) and Fidelity Level (FL) 28

v
CHAPTER FOUR
DISCUSSION 31
4.1 Medicinal Plants and Associated Knowledge 31
4.2 Conclusion 33

REFERENCES 34

APPENDICE 39

vi
 LIST OF TABLES
Pages
Table 1: Socio-demographic information of the respondents 14
Table 2: Medicinal plants used in the sampled locations and their usages 16
Table 3: Diversity of medicinal plant species in the sampled locations 22

vii
 LIST OF FIGURES
Pages
Figure 1: Map of Lagos state showing the study site(s) 8
Figure 2: The distribution of informants in age-classes 15
Figure 3: Distribution of the plant families used by the Hausa/Fulani communities
in Lagos state, Nigeria.
24
Figure 4: Showing various plant parts used for the treatment of various ailments
in the study area. 25
Figure 5: Showing preparation methods of herbal medicine in the study area 26
Figure 6: Showing life forms of the medicinal plants in the study area 27
Figure 7: Showing route of administration of plants used for treating various
ailments in the study area 27
Figure 8: Allium ascalonicum sold in local markets 29
Figure 9: Hausa man showcasing Turmeric at Mile 12 market 29
Figure 10: Showing an herb seller showcasing his products 29
Figure 11: Display of herbal medicine in Idi-araba 29
Figure 12: Showing the roots, stem and barks of some medicinal plants in their
grinded form 30

viii
 ABSTRACT

An ethnobotanical study was conducted between March and August 2018, at four Hausa-Fulani

communities in Lagos in order to collect relevant ethnobotanical information about various

medicinal plants used in their community. Data were obtained through the use of semi-structured

interviews using questionnaire and participatory reprisal approach (PRA). A total of 184

medicinal plant species was identified and documented in the treatment of various illnesses. Of

all, Fabaceae was the most represented family with a total of 34 species (18.5%), followed by

Asteraceae and Euphorbiaceae (9 species each, and constituting 4.89%), while other families

constitute the remaining 71.74%. The most dominant plant part used was (29.3%). The major

route of administration was oral administration about 159 (86.4%) and the most common method

of preparation is decoction about 83 (45.1%). This study reveals that despite the long history of

HF living in Lagos which is in the Southwestern Nigeria, yet they still obtained their medicinal

plants from the northern part of the country. And this has decimated several species from the

wild and putting several others at the verge of local extinction. However, useful and effective

policies should be enacted to begin national or regional farms for medicinal plants. Finally this

study will contribute to the medicinal pharmacopeia of Nigeria.

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 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE REVIEW

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Medicinal plants are plants known to have therapeutic properties which can be used to cure

various diseases and for the maintenance of health. The World Health Organization (WHO)

declared that about 80% of African population depends on medicinal plants one way or the other

while about 60% of the world’s populace depends on plants for the treatment of various diseases

(WHO, 2008; WHO, 2010). Ethnobotany as a discipline studies the interaction between native

man and its environments laying emphasis on how plants can be used for feeding, clothing,

medicine, fodder and other day to day activities (Ahmed et al., 2013). Ethnobotany is therefore

essential for the conservation and sustainable development of plant resources (Muthu et al,

2006). Since the advent of the field of ethnobotany as a discipline, the importance of traditional

knowledge in many local cultures of the world have been realized and documented (Ahmed et

al., 2013). Ethnobotanical study helps in gathering information on type of disease and health

problems, prevalent among people of certain localities (Giday et al., 2009; Lawal et al.,

2010).Traditional knowledge of medicinal plants and their use by indigenous healers and drug

development in the present are not only useful for conservation of cultural tradition and

biodiversity but also for community health care and drug development in the local people

(Mesfin et al., 2013). Recently, the knowledge on medicinal plants is on the decline due to rapid

urbanization leading to deforestation, migration and lack of free transfer of associated knowledge

from parent to offspring (Kankara et al., 2015). The loss of forest brings with it the loss of

indigenous cultures and their plant knowledge which has been acquired over thousands of years

of living with nature (Prance, 1991).

1
A study showed that one of the major factors affecting the decline of the practice of traditional

medicine is due to negligence on the part of the youths today, thus, many youths are not willing

to take up the practice from their parents (Singh et al., 2012).

Over the years, medicinal plants have been used to treat hypertension, malaria, oral diseases,

diabetes, gingivitis, gastro-intestinal diseases, high blood pressure and insanity (Dike et al.,

2012; Muthu et al; Gbolade, 2009; Salihu et al., 2015). Traditional medicine have been the

source of discovery of new medicine and essential bioactive compounds (Dike et al., 2012;

Ishola et al., 2014). In recent years, interest has increasingly been expressed by African and other

non-Western scholars in their own herbal pharmacopoeias and other indigenous treatment

modalities (Etkin, 1979). According to (Menendez-Baceta et al., 2015), both ethnobotanical and

ethnopharmacological studies have been conducted in lure to the fact that when a medicinal plant

is similarly used in different cultures the presence of bioactive compounds likely explains its

traditional use. However, many ethnopharmacological studies have revealed that analysis

conducted on some traditional medicine do not always show the desired pharmacological activity

(Sokmen et al., 1999; Gertsch, 2012).

About 80% of the African population consult Traditional medical practitioners (TMPs) for their

primary healthcare (Cunningham, 1993). A large number of the rural masses depends essentially

on traditional medicine to meet their healthcare needs due to poverty and lack of access to

modern medicine (Mesfin et al., 2013; Salihu et al., 2018). Thus, leading to renewed interest in

traditional herbal remedies. Many of the rural population especially in regions where access to

Medicare is at the minimal level believe in herbal medicines because it has been around for ages,

cheap and easily accessible, hence, a lot of people prefer taking them to the more highly priced

2
orthodox medicines (Wambugu et al., 2011). Moreover, the use of folklore medicine is not only

culturally and socially acceptable but it plays an important part of the culture and traditions of

the African people.

1.2 TRADITIONAL MEDICINE IN NIGERIA

Herbal medicine is the oldest form of healthcare known to mankind. Herbs had been used by all

cultures throughout history (Falodun and Imieje, 2013). Traditional medicine is widely practiced

in Western and Central Africa, in which the leading country in Ethnobotany is Cameroon,

followed by the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria (Douniaset al., 2000). Nigeria as a

country has a long history of the use of herbal medicine in its diverse cultures and traditions

(Ekeanyanwu, 2011). The use of plants for medicine by various ethnic groups in Nigeria have

been documented in various pharmacopoeias. The world health organization (WHO) reported

that the ratio of Traditional Health Practitioners to the population in Nigeria was 1:110 while that

of Medical Doctors to the population was 1:16,400 (WHO, 2002). This report showed that

majority of the Nigerian population rely on traditional medicine practitioners (TMPs) more than

orthodox doctors for their primary health needs.

High population growth rate, poverty coupled with dwindling economic reserves in the country

make Nigerians resort to more affordable sources for their primary health care needs

(Ekeanyanwu, 2011). Adefolaju (2011) asserts that the acquisition of traditional knowledge by

practitioners is either through inheritance or long apprenticeship. He also stated that traditional

medicine practitioners (TMPs) majorly practice the art as a hobby or as a form of community

service with minimal or no financial reward. The various ethnic groups in Nigeria have specific

names that they call people that practice traditional medicine as a profession. The Hausa people

3
call them “Boka” while the Igbo and Yoruba people call them “Dibia” and “Babalawo”

respectively. In recent times, traditional medicine is rapidly gaining recognition from the

government as can be seen by the establishment of the Herbal Medicine Board.

In Nigeria, the National institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD),

Abuja, and the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA), Lagos, are blazing

the trail in the development of alternative medicines in the management of AIDS/Malaria. They

have made progress in developing herbal cures for AIDS, malaria and TB, screening is ongoing

for over 20 plants for diabetes, TB and hypertension which are part of the critical projects at the

NNMDA (Falodun and Imieje, 2013).

1.3 HAUSA-FULANI MIGRATIONS INTO YORUBALAND

Inter-ethnic migration has always been a common trend in Nigeria. It is believed that people

normally migrate due to two main reasons: First, people migrate from under-developed areas to

more developed areas with the sole purpose of improving their social and economic status.

Secondly, people migrate to a new destination in order to be reunited with their relatives, friends,

or due to presence of ethnic compatibility between origin and destination of the migrant

(Makinwa, 1981). Albert (1991) mentioned that the migration of the HF into Yorubaland is a

product of the Trans Sahara trade whose origin in Western Sudan has been dated back to the

seventh century. This was closely assisted by trans-Atlantic slave trade in which the Yoruba

people featured as middle men between the European slavers and the hinterland sources of slave

supplies through the southern routes linking Hausaland with Gonja. Yorubaland benefited from

the trans-Saharan trade and later the Hausa-Fulani (HF) markets for the trans-Atlantic slave

trade. As part of the trans-Saharan and trans-Atlantic trade, the HF merchants dealing in slaves

4
and kolanut passed through Yorubaland, especially on their way to Salaga and Gonja in the Gold

Coast (Modern day Ghana) (Oroge, 1971). Until early twentieth century when kolanut

production was fully introduced to Yorubaland, the HF people got their kolanut from the Gold

Coast (Albert, 1991; Albert 1994).

Furthermore, it is also believed that one of the reasons behind the migration of the HF people is

to spread Islam to other part of the country Adamu (1978); Gbadamosi (1975). During the pre-

colonial period, the Yoruba, Junkun and Nupe people were the major trading partners of the HF

people. Trade between these lots was aided by the closeness in proximity of their districts. The

HF people continually export valuable goods it received via the Trans-Saharan route from North

Africa to Yorubaland while their Yoruba counterpart on the other hand traded European goods

which they had direct access to via the Atlantic ocean into Hausaland.

The first and second points of contact of trade between the HF people and their Yoruba counter

parts were the forest edge of Old Oyo capital and along the coast of Badagry respectively.

However, this was subsequently shifted to the heartland of Yoruba cities such as Ibadan and

Abeokuta owing to the fall of the Old Oyo Empire during the late 19th century. The ability of the

HF people to trade directly in the Yoruba hinterland allowed them to settle down in these

regions. They were soon joined by their friends and kinsmen thus leading to their expansion and

the led to the subsequent creation of "Sabo" and "Gambari town" (Tijani, 2008). The Yoruba

traders traded Kolanut (Cola acuminata), salts and palm oil in exchange for horses, cattles and

textiles from their HF counterpart (Tijani, 2008). This led to the creation of Sabo communities in

Ibadan, Ogbomosho, Eko (Lagos) and appointment of a leader within these communities known

as "Sarkin Hausawa" meaning (Leader of Hausa Community).The appointment of the Sarkin

5
Hausawa was done by choosing a consensus candidate by the elders of the Sabo community. In

order for someone to be considered as a candidate for the title of "Sarkin Hausawa", he must

have settled in Yoruba land especially the "sabo communities" for a longer period than others

and he must also be successful in his line of business. Over the years, the appointment of the

"Sarkin Hausawa" has led to controversy which has resulted in conflicts among the sabo

communities. The role of the Sarkin Hausawa is therefore no more than a ward head ("Bale" in

Yoruba or "Mai angwa" in Hausa). But in the characteristic manner, he has his own chiefs who

are accountable to him (Albert, 1994).

1.4 AIM AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to identify and document the various ethnobotanical knowledge of

medicinal plants utilized by Hausa and Fulani inhabitant in Lagos.

The objectives of this project are as follows:

1. To collect and document the various medicinal plants utilized by the Hausa-Fulani

individuals in Lagos.

2. To identify the sources of the medicinal plants used by the Hausa-Fulani community

in Lagos.

3. To gather the ethnobotanical knowledge of Hausa-Fulani culture of plant usage.

6
 CHAPTER TWO

MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1 STUDY AREA

Lagos state is the economic, manufacturing, financial and commercial capital of Nigeria.

According to National Bureau of Statistics, Lagos occupies an area of 3,671 km² and lies

between latitude 6°27′14″ N and longitude 3°23′40″ E of the equator. The metropolitan area

originated on islands, including Lagos Island, that were protected from the Atlantic Ocean by

sand spits. The city has expanded onto the mainland west of the lagoon, however, with Ikeja, the

capital of Lagos, and Agege over 25 miles northwest of Lagos Island. Lagos state experiences

two seasonal changes namely; the dry and wet season. The wet season starts in April and ends in

October, while the dry season starts in November and ends in March. According to the 2006

census conducted by the National Population Commission (NPC), Lagos has a population of

over nine million, of a national estimate of 150 million. The population growth has a rate of

about 600,000 per annum, with a density of approximately 4,193 persons per sq. km. In the

urban areas of the Lagos metropolis, the average population density is over 20,000 people per sq.

km.

Current demographic trend analysis reveals that Lagos’ population growth rate of 8% has

resulted in its harboring 36.8% of Nigeria’s 150 million urban population (World Bank, 1996).

The city of Lagos attracts Nigerians from across the federation as well as peoples from other

parts of Africa and beyond (Adebayo and Iweka, 2016). Oduwaye (2008) also noted that out of

the 371 ethnic groups in Nigeria, over 300 have presence in Lagos State.

7
Figure 1: Map of Lagos state showing the study site(s)

2.2 ETHICAL APPROVAL

At the beginning of the interview session, details of the study; purpose, objectives were

thoroughly explained to the respondents and an approval was obtained from each respondent that

participated in the interview.

2.3 FIELD WORK AND ETHNOBOTANICAL DATA COLLECTION

8
This study was conducted between May and June 2018 at fourHF communities of the selected

local government areas in Lagos State in order to collect relevant information about the use of

medicinal plants in those regions. Ethnobotanical data were obtained based on oral interview

with the aid of semi-structured questionnaire. This study was conducted solely in English

language. The field work was, however, not without some problems. At first, the respondents

were reluctant in giving out information until I told them the study is to help preserve the

remaining traditional knowledge on plant usage giving the way it’s on the decline due to increase

in urbanization and migration. Secondly, there was problem in passing across information. Most

of the locals had little to no education and this somewhat caused delay in data gathering.

However, I was lucky enough to meet few individuals who could speak better English so they

acted as my translator. Most of the plants names were given in Hausa language, notwithstanding,

I was able to document most of the plants stated using "Hausa Names For Plants and Trees" by

Roger Blench which contained detailed list of plants in Hausa language, English (Common

name) and Latin.

The questionnaire was divided into two sections. In section one, the socio-demographic

information and education background of the respondents were documented. While the other

section contain information on the use of medicinal plants. A total of 100 respondents were

interviewed in which twenty-five (25) were selected from each community. The target people

were herb sellers, traditional medicine practitioners (TMPs), the elderly and middle aged;

individuals who are considered knowledgeable by other members of the study population, and

who perceive themselves, to be most conversant in matters relevant to health and disease and

people in public areas such as mosques, streets and markets.

9
2.4 DATA ANALYSIS

The data collected through the ethnobotanical study were analyzed using Excel worksheet.

Descriptive statistical methods were carried out to get the percentage and frequencies charts

based on the following parameters:

i. The distribution of informants’age, gender and education class.

ii. The life form, part used, mode of usage and method of preparation of the medicinal

plants.

iii. Relative frequency of citation (RFC) was employed in order to calculate the level of

importance for each plant species cite. The RCF can be calculated as described in (Salihu

et al., 2018) as follows;

FC
𝑅𝐹𝐶 =
N

Where FC = number of respondents that cited that plant.

N = Total number of respondents.

iv. Fidelity level (FL) was also employed to calculate the percentage of informants claiming

the use of a particular plant to treat a particular disease(s).

N𝑃
𝐹𝐿 (%) = 100
N

Where N𝑃 = Number of informants claiming the use of a particular plant to treat a

particular disease.

And N = Number of informants that use the plant to treat any given disease(s)

(Teklehaymanot, 2009; Alexiades, 1996).

10
11
 CHAPTER THREE

RESULTS

3.1 BIODATA OF THE RESPONDENTS

A total of 100 respondents partook in the survey in which their gender, ethnicity, age,

educational background and occupation were all documented and analyzed using Excel

worksheet (Table 1). Furthermore, the distribution of male and female in each age class was also

analyzed (see Fig. 2).

12
Table 1: Socio-demographic information of the respondents

Parameter Description Number Percentage(%)

Gender Male 83 83%

Female 17 17%

Ethnic group Hausa 64 64%

Fulani 35 35%

Kanuri 1 1%

Age 18-30 16 16%

31-40 34 34%

41-50 29 29%

51-60 20 20%

61-70 1 1%

70-100 Nil

Educational qualification None 24 24%

School cert 49 49%

SSCE 24 24%

OND/NCE 3 3%

HND/B.Sc. Nil

M.Sc./Ph.D. Nil

Occupation TMPs & Herb Seller 24 24%

Farmer 6 6%

Trader 32 32%

Business man 21 21%

Bureau de change 3 3%

Others (Tailor, Meruwa etc.) 14 14%

*TMPs stands for Traditional medicine practitioners

13
 MALE FEMALE

30
NUMBER OF INFORMANTS

25

20

15

10

0
18-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 61-70

AGE CLASS

Figure 2: The distribution of informants in age-classes

3.2 MEDICINAL PLANTS DOCUMENTED

From the data obtained from the study location(s), the informants reported 184 medicinal plants

belonging to seventy (70) plant families and 154 genera (see Table 2). The most occurring plant

families was Fabaceae represented by 34 species (18.5%), followed by Asteraceae and

Euphorbiaceae (9 species each, and constituting 4.89% apiece) while others families constitute

the remaining 71.7% (see Table 3).

Also, ethnobotanical information of the medicinal plants comprising their local and scientific

names, habit, life forms, part used method of preparation and usage were also documented (see

Table 2).

14
 Table 2: Medicinal plants used in the sampled locations and their usages

Method of Mode of
Scientific name Local name Family Habit Part used Treatment/Uses preparation RFC FL usage
Abrus precatorius L. Dàmàr ̃ zàyáá Fabaceae Climber Root Diabetes Decoction 0.03 100 Oral
Acacia campylacantha Hochst. ex
A. Rich. Fárcèn shááhòò Fabaceae Tree Branch Sore throat Direct 0.01 100 Oral
Acacia nilotica (L.) Delile gàbààríí Fabaceae Tree Pod Wound healing Decoction 0.09 77.8 Oral
Acacia polyacantha Willd. Fárcèn shááhòò Fabaceae Tree Bark General wellbeing Infusion 0.01 100 Oral
Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. Dííshèè Fabaceae Tree Leaves Stomach ache Decoction 0.02 100 Oral
Acacia seyal Delile Báujíí Fabaceae Tree Root Depression Infusion 0.02 100 Oral
Acacia siberiana (DC.) Kyal. &
Boatwr. Farar kaya Fabaceae Tree Bark Ease labour Infusion 0.03 66.7 Oral
Acanthospermum hispidum DC. Kááshín yààwóó Asteraceae Herb Entire plant Diarrhea Infusion 0.03 100 Oral
Adansonia digitata L. Kubali Malvaceae Tree Bark Diarrhea Grinded into Powder 0.08 75 Oral
Aframomum melegueta K.Schum. Cìttáá Zingiberaceae Shrub Rhizome Cold Decoction 0.07 85.7 Oral
Albizia adianthifolia (Schumach.)
W.Wight Tsíntsííyár ̃ kúrmìì Fabaceae Tree Stem Diabetes Decoction 0.02 100 Oral
Albizia chevalieri Harms Kàtsáríí Fabaceae Shrub Bark Stomach ache Infusion 0.04 75 Oral
Albizia ferruginea (Guill. & Perr.)
Benth. Tsíntsííyár ̃ kúrmìì Fabaceae Tree Root Dysentery Decoction 0.02 100 Oral
Alchornea cordifolia (Schumach.
& Thonn.) Müll.Arg. Bámbámí Euphorbiaceae Shrub Leaves Diabetes Infusion 0.01 100 Oral
Allium sativum L. Tàfánnúúwáá Amaryllidaceae Herb Bulb Cold Grinded into Powder 0.08 75 Oral
Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R.Br. ex
DC. Mài kái dúbúú Amaranthaceae Herb Entire plant Headache Decoction 0.02 50 Oral
Alysicarpus vaginalis (Linn.) DC. Gàdágíí Fabaceae Herb Entire plant Cough Direct 0.01 100 Oral
Ampelocissus africana (Lour.) Fààrún
Merr. mákììyààyáá Vitaceae Herb Entire plant General wellbeing Decoction 0.05 100 Oral
Anacardium occidentale L. Kànjùù Anacardiaceae Tree Bark Stomach ache Infusion 0.04 50 Oral
Anchomanes difformis (Blume)
Engl. Càkàráá Araceae Shrub Root Urinary tract infection Grinded into Powder 0.02 100 Oral
Anisopus mannii N.E.Br. Sakayau Apocynaceae Herb Entire plant Ease labour Infusion 0.04 100 Oral
Annona senegalensis Pers. Gúbdúú Annonaceae Tree Root Dysentery Decoction 0.03 66.7 Oral
Anogeissus leiocarpa (DC.) Guill.
& Perr. Gàngàmáu Combretaceae Tree Leaves Fever Grinded into Powder 0.02 50 Oral
Anthocleista djalonensis A Chev. Kwarri Gentianaceae Tree Leaves, Bark Skin infections Decoction 0.01 100 Topically
Argemone mexicana L. Wagiri Papaveraceae Shrub Leaves Cold Decoction 0.05 80 Steaming
Artemisia annua L. Tazargade Asteraceae Shrub Leaves Fever Infusion 0.08 75 Oral
Asparagus africanus Lam. Káràr kàdangárèè Asparagaceae Climber Root Fever Decoction 0.01 100 Oral
Aspilia africana (Pers.) C.D. Jamajina Asteraceae Herb Leaves Gastrointestinal disorder Decoction 0.02 100 Oral
Azadirachta indica A.Juss. Kírfì Meliaceae Tree Leaves Fever Decoction 0.06 66.7 Body bath
Baccharoides adoensis (Sch.Bip.
ex Walp.) H.Rob. Dumashi Asteraceae Shrub Leaves, Root Inflammation Infusion 0.06 100 Oral

15
Table 2 (Continued)
Method of Mode of
Scientific name Local name Family Habit Part used Treatment/Uses preparation RFC FL usage
Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile Kwàikwàyéé Zygophyliaceae Tree Leaves Stomach ache Infusion 0.07 71.4 Oral
Baphia nitida Lodd. Mààjígíí Fabaceae Tree Bark Skin infections Decoction 0.03 100 Oral
Bauhinia reticulata DC. Kalga Fabaceae Tree Leaves General wellbeing Decoction 0.05 100 Oral
Bauhinia rufescens Lam. Jìgá Fabaceae Tree Bark General wellbeing Infusion 0.04 100 Oral
Boerhavia diffusa L. Báábáá jíbjíí Nyctaginaceae Herb Entire plant Inflammation Decoction 0.04 100 Oral
Bombax buonopozense P.Beauv. Gújííyáá Bombacaceae Tree Stem, Bark Stomach ache Decoction 0.03 66.7 Oral
Boscia salicifolia Oliv. Zúúrè Capparidaceae Herb Leaves Urinary tract infection Grinded into Powder 0.02 100 Oral
Boswellia dalzielii Hutch Árárráɓíí Burseraceae Tree Bark Pile Grinded into Powder 0.05 100 Oral
Bridelia ferruginea Benth. Kírníí Phyllanthaceae Tree Bark General wellbeing Decoction 0.06 66.7 Oral
Byrsocarpus coccineus Thonn. ex
Schumach. Kasa Connaraceae Herb Entire plant Urinary tract infection Grinded into Powder 0.06 50 Oral
Calotropis procera R.B Báábáá ambalee Asclepidaceae Shrub Leaves Diabetes Infusion 0.04 75 Oral
Capparis tomentosa Lam. Haujerin raƙumi Capparaceae Shrub Leaves Skin infections Decoction 0.01 100 Topically
Capsicum annuum L. Tùùgándéé Solanaceae Shrub Entire plant Cold & cough Direct 0.01 100 Oral
Capsicum frutescens Linn. Tsààkíí Cucurbitaceae Shrub Fruit Stomach ache Grinded into Powder 0.01 100 Oral
Caralluma dalzielii N.E.Br. Wútsííyàr ̃ dámóó Asclepiadaceae Herb Entire plant Nausea Direct 0.02 50 Oral
Carica papaya L. gwándóójíí Caricaceae Shrub Leaves Fever Decoction 0.09 44.4 Oral
Cassia arereh Delile Maleduwa Fabaceae Shrub Root Urinary tract infection Infusion 0.04 100 Oral
Cassia mimosoides L. Bagaruwar kasa Fabaceae Herb Leaves skin infections Ointment 0.07 71.4 Topically
Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn. Ríímíí Malvaceae Tree Leaves Diarrhea Grinded into Powder 0.06 83.3 Oral
Celosia argentea L. Rììmìì Amaranthaceae Herb Leaves Diarrhea Infusion 0.02 50 Oral
Centaurea acarnanica (Matthäs)
Greuter makààfíí Asteraceae Herb Entire plant General wellbeing Decoction 0.03 66.7 Oral
Centaurea perrotteti DC. Sùrándù Asteraceae Herb Entire plant Wound healing Infusion 0.02 100 Oral
Ceratotheca sesamoides Endl. Bátáƙáshíí Pedaliaceae Herb Seed Pain reliever Grinded into Powder 0.02 100 Oral
Chrozophora senegalensis (Lam.)
A.Juss. ex Spreng. Wàrkín maciijii Euphorbiaceae Herb Entire plant Stomach ache Grinded into Powder 0.02 100 Oral
Cissus populnea Guill. & Perr. Dááfááráá Vitaceae Tree Leaves Nausea Infusion 0.08 75 Oral
Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. Kwartowa Cucurbitaceae Tree Root Used as laxative Decoction 0.02 50 Oral
Citrus aurantiifolia (Christm.)
Swingle Lèèmóó Rutaceae Shrub Leaves Nausea Decoction 0.07 75 Steaming
Lèèmúú mài
Citrus sinensis Osbeck. zááƙíí Rutaceae Tree Stem, Bark Fever Decoction 0.02 100 Oral
Cleome gynandra L. Gasaya Cleomaceae Herb Entire plant Fever Decoction 0.06 66.7 Oral
Cochlospermum tinctorium
Perrier ex A.Rich. Kukur Cochlospermaceae Shrub Root Jaundice Grinded into Powder 0.04 50 Oral
Cocos nucifera L. Àttáágárà Arecaceae Tree Bark Diabetes Decoction 0.03 66.7 Oral
Cola acuminata Schott & Endl. Àtáràs Sterculiaceae Tree Nut Allay thirst and hunger Direct 0.03 66.7 Oral
Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott Gwáázáá Araceae Herb Stem Sore Grinded into Powder 0.01 100 Topically
Combretum micranthum G.Don Fárár géézàa Combretaceae Shrub Leaves General wellbeing Decoction 0.08 37.5 Oral

16
Table 2 (Continued)
Method of Mode of
Scientific name Local name Family Habit Part used Treatment/Uses preparation RFC FL usage
Commiphora africana (A. Rich.)
Engl. Kwarooroo Anacardiaceae Shrub Stem Reduce inflammation Infusion 0.01 100 Oral
Commiphora hildebrandtii Engl. Dashi Burseraceae Shrub Leaves General wellbeing Decoction 0.03 100 Oral
Commiphora kerstingii Engl. Árárráɓíí Burseraceae Tree Leaves Diabetes Infusion 0.02 50 Oral
Corchorus olitorius L. Láálò Tiliaceae Climber Leaves Diarrhea Decoction 0.03 100 Oral
Kákìì zúwàà
Costus afer Ker-Gawl Háusá Costaceae Herb Stem Nausea Decoction 0.02 100 Oral
Croton lobatus L. Námíjìn gáásàyáá Euphorbiaceae Herb Leaves Skin infections Decoction 0.03 66.7 Oral
Cucumis ficifolius A. Rich. Cìcìdóó Cucurbitaceae Climber Root Dysentery Infusion 0.01 100 Oral
Cucurbita maxima Duchesne. ex
Lam. Gámmòn fátààkéé Cucurbitaceae Climber Leaves Tap worm Decoction 0.02 100 Topically
Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. Jààjàà mazá Poaceae Herb Entire plant General wellbeing Decoction 0.04 75 Oral
Cyperus articulatus L. Kààjííjì Cyperaceae Shrub Root Cold Decoction 0.06 100 Oral
Daniellia oliveri (Rolfe) Hutch. &
Dalz. Kàdáuráá Fabaceae Tree Gum Oral diseases Direct 0.02 50 Oral
Detarium microcarpum Guill. &
Perr. Táuráá Fabaceae Tree Bark Pile Infusion 0.02 100 Oral
Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) Wight
& Arn. Dundu Fabaceae Shrub Leaves Headache Ointment 0.02 50 Topically
Dioscorea bulbifera L. Kamu Dioscoreaceae Shrub Bark Pile Grinded into Powder 0.06 66.7 Oral
Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst.
ex A.DC. Báròò Ebenaceae Tree Fruits, Leaves Gingival irritation Infusion 0.03 33.3 Orally
Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn. Támbà Poaceae Herb Seed Stimulant, Diarrhea Grinded into Powder 0.01 100 Oral
Entada africana Guill. & Perr. Tààwátsáá Fabaceae Tree Leaves, Bark Stomach ache Grinded into Powder 0.06 83.3 Oral
Erythrina senegalensis DC. Ìdòn zàkáràà Fabaceae Herb Entire plant Anaemia Grinded into Powder 0.04 75 Oral
Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. Turaré Myrtaceae Tree Leaves Fever Decoction 0.04 100 Steaming
Eugenia caryophyllus (Sprengel) Dry flower buds are
Bullock & Harr. Hánjín kádéé Myrtaceae Tree Flower Toothache Direct 0.04 75 Oral
Euphorbia balsamifera Aiton Káágúwáá Euphorbiaceae Tree Twig General wellbeing Decoction 0.03 66.7 Body bath
Euphorbia convolvuloides Hochst.
ex Benth. Nòònòn kùrcìyàà Euphorbiaceae Herb Entire plant Urinary tract infection Grinded into Powder 0.02 50 Oral
Euphorbia hirta L. Nòònòn kùrcìyàà Euphorbiaceae Herb Root Cough, Asthma Decoction 0.03 66.7 Oral
Fagara zanthoxyloides Lam. Fàsà kwàrí Rutaceae Tree Fruit Gingival irritation Direct 0.02 100 Oral
Faidherbia albida (Delile) A.Chev. Cáncálóó Fabaceae Tree Bark General wellbeing Decoction 0.03 100 Oral
Ficus congensis Engl. Bauré Moraceae Shrub Leaves Diarrhea Decoction 0.03 66.7 Oral
Ficus platyphylla Delile Ganyi Moraceae Tree Bark General wellbeing Grinded into Powder 0.01 100 Oral
Ficus sur forsk. Úúwár yáàráá Moraceae Tree Root, Bark Stomach ache Decoction 0.02 100 Oral
Ficus thonningii Blume cèèɗàkúú Moraceae Tree Bark Fever Grinded into Powder 0.02 50 Oral
Ficus vallis-choudae Delile Bargom Moraceae Tree Bark Ease labour Infusion 0.02 100 Oral
Gardenia aqualla Stapf & Hutch. Sáárán wááwáá Rubiaceae Shrub Leaves Fever Decoction 0.06 66.7 Oral

17
Table 2 (Continued)
Method of Mode of
Scientific name Local name Family Habit Part used Treatment/Uses preparation RFC FL usage
Gossypium barbadense L. Bà Gwàndáráá Malvaceae Shrub Leaves Diarrhea Grinded into Powder 0.03 100 Oral
Guiera senegalensis J.F.Gmel. Bàrb̃ átáá Combretaceae Shrub Leaves Nausea, Vomiting Grinded into Powder 0.07 85.7 Oral
Hibiscus sabdariffa L. Ján bàróódò Malvaceae Shrub Fruits, Leaves General wellbeing Infusion 0.05 60 Oral
Holarrhena floribunda (G.Don) Sàndán maya Apocynaceae Tree Entire plant Dysentery Decoction 0.02 50 Oral
Indigofera astragalina DC. Ƙàiƙàyíí kòòmàà Fabaceae Herb Entire plant General wellbeing Decoction 0.04 75 Body bath
Ipomoea asarifolia (Desr.) Roem.
& Schult. Dúmán kádàà Convolvulaceae Herb Entire plant General wellbeing Decoction 0.08 62.5 Body bath
Irvingia gabonensis (Aubrey-
Lecomte. ex O'Rorke.) Baill. Góóròn bírìì Irvingiaceae Shrub Stem, Bark High blood pressure Decoction 0.07 57.1 Oral
Isoberlinia doka Craib & Stapf Kwánkwárándé Fabaceae Tree Root Stomach ache Decoction 0.05 80 Oral
Jatropha curcas L. Bìì ní dà zúgúú Euphorbiaceae Shrub Twig General wellbeing Infusion 0.06 83.3 Oral
Khaya senegalensis (Desr.) A.
Juss. mààɗààtái Burseraceae Tree Root Antibiotics Decoction 0.04 75 Oral
Kigelia africana Benth. Kiciiciyaa Bignoniaceae Tree Stem, Bark General wellbeing Decoction 0.05 60 Oral
Lannea acida A.Rich. Fààrùn mùtàànèè Anacardiaceae Tree Bark General wellbeing Infusion 0.06 66.7 Oral
Skin infections,
Lawsonia inermis L. Lállè Lythraceae Shrub Leaves Beautification Concoction 0.08 87.5 Topically
Lepidium sativum L. Zàmàntáróórì Brassicaceae Herb Leaves Jaundice Decoction 0.05 80 Oral
Oral
Leptadenia hastata Vatke Ɗán ɓààkúúwà Asclepiadaceae Herb Leaves General wellbeing Direct 0.04 50
Ludwigia octovalvis (Jacq.)
P.H.Raven Gworgoro Onagraceae Shrub Leaves Inflammation Poultice 0.03 100 Topically
Mallotus oppositifolius (Geisel.)
Müll.-Arg. Káfàr mútúwàà Euphorbiaceae Shrub Leaves Astringent Decoction 0.03 100 Oral
Mangifera indica L. Màngwàrò Anacardiaceae Tree Leaves Malaria Decoction 0.16 87.5 Oral
Merremia tridentata (L.) Hallier f. Yàmɓúrúrúú Convolvulaceae Climber Entire plant Sexual infections Decoction 0.02 100 Oral
Milicia excelsa Welw. C.C. Berg Lóókò Moraceae Tree Bark Malaria Decoction 0.02 100 Oral
Mitragyna inermis (Willd.) Kuntze Gííyyàyáá Rubiaceae Shrub Leaves Inflammation Poultice 0.07 71.4 Topically
Momordica balsamina L. Dàddààgúú Cucurbitaceae Shrub Leaves Navel treatment Ointment 0.05 80 Topically
Momordica charantia Linn. Dàddààgúú Cucurbitaceae Climber Entire plant Antiseptic Maceration 0.02 50 Topically
Monodora myristica (Gaertn.)
Dunal Gújíyár ̃ dan miya Annonaceae Tree Seed Constipation Grinded into Powder 0.02 100 Oral
Moringa oleifera Lam. Mákkà Moringaceae Shrub Leaves Anaemia Decoction 0.13 69.2 Oral
Musa paradisiaca L. Àgàdà Musaceae Shrub Leaves Dysentery Decoction 0.02 100 Oral
Musa sapientum L. Kwandan Musaceae Herb Leaves Malaria Decoction 0.03 66.7 Oral
Nauclea diderrichii (De Wild. &
Th.Dur.) Merrill Tàfááshííyà Rubiaceae Tree Root Pile Decoction 0.02 100 Oral
Newbouldia laevis (P.Beauv.)
Seem. Àdùrúúkù Bignoniaceae Tree Bark Skin infections Decoction 0.03 100 Topically
Nicotiana tabacum L. Gòòdóó Solanaceae Herb Flower Staining teeth Direct 0.03 66.7 Oral
Ocimum basilicum L. Ɗâɗɗóóyà Lamiaceae Herb Entire plant Ease labour Infusion 0.05 80 Oral

18
Ocimum gratissimum L. Ɗâɗɗóóyà tá Lamiaceae Herb Leaves Depression, Pile Decoction 0.03 66.7 Oral
gídáá
Olax subscorpioidea Oliv. Gwàànón kùrmìì Olacaceae Tree Root Jaundice Decoction 0.02 100 Oral
Opilia amentacea Roxb. Rugaggada Opiliaceae Herb Entire plant Fever Infusion 0.06 100 Oral
Ozoroa mucronata (Bernh.) R.
Fern. & A. Fern. Kasheshe Anacardiaceae Tree Leaves Urinary tract infection Infusion 0.07 85.7 Oral
Parkia biglobosa Benth. Mààkúbà Fabaceae Tree Bark Stomach ache Grinded into Powder 0.04 75 Oral
Parquetina nigrescens (Afzel.) Kwànkwánín tsa
Bullock tsumbe Asclepiadaceae Climber Root Blood cleanser Decoction 0.01 100 Oral
Paullinia pinata L. Yáátsàà bìyár Sapindaceae Climber Leaves, Root Jaundice Decoction 0.03 100 Oral
Pavonia senegalensis (Cav.)
Leistner Tsu Malvaceae Shrub Root General wellbeing Infusion 0.02 100 Oral
Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br. Tàmángájíí Fabaceae Shrub Stem Urinary tract infection Direct 0.03 100 Oral
Peristrophe bicalyculata (Retz.) Tùbáánín
Nees dáwáákíí Acanthaceae Shrub Leaves Ease labour Infusion 0.07 71.4 Oral
Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin.
ex Steud. Macara Poaceae Shrub Bark Ease labour Infusion 0.04 100 Oral
Piper guineense Thonn. Màsóóróó Piperaceae Climber Seed Diabetes Grinded into Powder 0.02 100 Oral
Portulaca oleracea L. Rùb dà túkúnyá Portulacaceae Herb Entire plant Skin infections Decoction 0.02 100 Topically
Prosopis africana (Guill. & Perr.)
Taub. Ƙíryà Fabaceae Tree Bark Fever Infusion 0.07 85.7 Oral
Pseudocedrela kotschyi
(Schweinf.) Harms Tònáá Meliaceae Tree Bark Ulcer, sore Decoction 0.02 100 Topically
Psidium guajava L. Gwéébàà Myrtaceae Shrub Leaves Fever Decoction 0.10 100 Oral
Pupalia lappacea (Linn.)Juss. Màrìn kùùsùù Amaranthaceae Herb Leaves Constipation Decoction 0.01 100 Oral
Rauvolfia vomitoria Afzel. Wada Apocynaceae Tree Leaves, Root Jaundice Decoction 0.05 60 Oral
Ricinus communis L. Kulakula Euphorbiaceae Shrub Root Used as mouthwash Direct 0.01 100 Oral
Salvadora persica L. Kige Salvadoraceae Tree Stem, Root Gingivitis Infusion 0.01 100 Oral
Schwenkia americana Kunth Da sisiº Solanaceae Herb Entire plant Diarrhea Decoction 0.09 66.7 Oral
Sclerocarya birrea (A.Rich.)
Hochst. Dáníyáá Anacardiaceae Tree Bark General wellbeing Grinded into Powder 0.03 100 Oral
Scoparia dulcis L. Rìmà fáádà Scrophulariaceae Herb Entire plant General wellbeing Decoction 0.08 75 Oral
Securidaca longipedunculata
Fresen. Sányáá Polygalaceae Shrub Bark General wellbeing Decoction 0.03 100 Oral
Senna obtusifolia (L.) H.S.Irwin &
Barneby Tafasa Fabaceae Shrub Leaves Stomach ache Grinded into Powder 0.05 80 Oral
Senna occidentalis (L.) Link Màjàmfàríí Fabaceae Shrub Leaves Fever Decoction 0.05 60 Steaming
Senna singueana (Delile) Lock Runhu Fabaceae Shrub Root skin infections Ointment 0.05 100 Topically
Sesamum alatum Thonn. Námíjìn dàyìì Pedaliaceae Herb Entire plant Ease labour Decoction 0.03 66.7 Oral
Sesbania dalzielii E.Phillips &
Hutch. Álámbúú Fabaceae Herb Entire plant Labour inducement Infusion 0.08 87.5 Oral
Sida ovata Forssk. Miyar tsanya Malvaceae Herb Entire plant Diarrhea Grinded into Powder 0.02 100 Oral
Solanum americanum Mill. Gáután kàdìì Solanaceae Herb Leaves skin infections Ointment 0.03 66.7 Topically
Solanum incanum L. Yáálóó Solanaceae Herb Root Stomach ache Maceration 0.04 100 Oral
Solanum lycopersicum L. Tumatir Solanaceae Herb Flower Stomach ache Juice 0.01 100 Oral

19
Solenostemon monostachyus (P
Beauv.) Briq. Tùmúƙùn bírí Lamiaceae Herb Leaves, Root Stomach ache Decoction 0.02 100 Oral
Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench Mùrmúrà Poaceae Herb Seed Diarrhea Grinded into Powder 0.03 100 Oral
Spondias mombin L. Tsáádàr Másàr Anacardiaceae Tree Entire plant Cold, fever Decoction 0.03 100 Oral
Stereospermum kunthianum Cham. Jìríí Bignoniaceae Tree Bark Diarrhea Grinded into Powder 0.06 66.7 Oral
Strychnos spinosa Lam. Tá rúwá Loganiaceae Shrub Bark Urinary tract infection Grinded into Powder 0.02 100 Oral
Stylosanthes erecta P.Beauv. Dáuɗa dáuɗàà Fabaceae Herb Leaves General wellbeing Grinded into Powder 0.04 75 Oral
Tamarindus indica L. Lallewa Fabaceae Tree Bark General wellbeing Infusion 0.06 66.7 Oral
Telfairia occidentalis Hook. f kabewa Cucurbitaceae Shrub Leaves Malaria Decoction 0.04 100 Oral
Terminalia avicennioides Guill. &
Perr. Kalangon daji Combretaceae Tree Root Diabetes Decoction 0.01 100 Oral
Terminalia macroptera Guill. &
Perr. Kalangon daji Combretaceae Tree Root Diabetes Decoction 0.03 100 Oral
Trema orientalis (L.) Blume Ajenanaº Ulmaceae Tree Stem, Bark Fever Decoction 0.03 100 Oral
Vernonia amygdalina Delile Shìwáákáá Asteraceae Shrub Leaves Urinary tract infection Grinded into Powder 0.05 60 Oral
Vernonia kotschyana Sch.Bip. ex
Walp. Kùmbùrà fágé Asteraceae Herb Root Cease vomiting Grinded into Powder 0.04 100 Oral
Vernonia strumambiguum
(Kotschy and Peyr.) H.Rob. Tattab Asteraceae Herb Entire plant Fever Decoction 0.04 100 Oral
Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. Waké Fabaceae Herb Stem Urinary tract infection Grinded into Powder 0.04 75 Oral
Vitellaria paradoxa C.F.Gaertn. Ká déé Sapotaceae Tree Bark Stomach ache Infusion 0.02 100 Oral
Vitex doniana Sweet Búrzún ɗínyáá Verbenaceae Tree Bark Diabetes Decoction 0.01 100 Oral
Ximenia americana L. Tsáádà Olacaceae Tree Bark skin infections Ointment 0.06 83.3 Topically
Zaleya pentandra (L.) C.Jeffrey Gadon maciji Aizoaceae Herb Entire plant General wellbeing Infusion 0.05 80 Oral
Zingiber officinale Roscoe Sakanjabir Zingiberaceae Shrub Rhizome Cold Decoction 0.10 70 Oral
Ziziphus abyssinica Hochst Ex A.
Rich mágààréé Rhamnaceae Shrub Leaves Jaundice Infusion 0.01 100 Oral
Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. Babbagi Rhamnaceae Shrub Leaves Jaundice Infusion 0.03 66.7 Oral
Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Desf. Kánɗííɗà Rhamnaceae Shrub Bark General wellbeing Infusion 0.04 75 Oral
FL and RFC stands for fidelity level and relative frequency of citation respectively.

20
 Table 3: Diversity of medicinal plant species in the sampled locations

Family Number of genera % of genera Number of species % of species

Acanthaceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Aizoaceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Amaranthaceae 3 1.95 3 1.63
Amaryllidaceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Anacardiaceae 7 4.55 7 3.8
Annonaceae 2 1.3 2 1.09
Apocynaceae 3 1.95 3 1.63
Araceae 2 1.3 2 1.09
Arecaceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Asclepiadaceae 3 1.95 3 1.63
Asclepidaceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Asparagaceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Asteraceae 6 3.4 9 4.89
Bignoniaceae 3 1.95 3 1.63
Bombacaceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Brassicaceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Burseraceae 3 1.95 4 2.17
Capparaceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Capparidaceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Caricaceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Cleomaceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Cochlospermaceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Colchicaceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Combretaceae 4 2.6 5 2.72
Connaraceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Convolvulaceae 2 1.95 2 1.09
Costaceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Cucurbitaceae 6 3.4 7 3.8
Cyperaceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Dioscoreaceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Ebenaceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Euphorbiaceae 7 4.55 9 4.89
Fabaceae 23 14.94 34 18.48
Gentianaceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Irvingiaceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Lamiaceae 3 1.95 4 2.17
Loganiaceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Lythraceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Malvaceae 6 3.4 6 3.26
Meliaceae 2 1.3 2 1.09

21
Moraceae 2 1.3 6 3.26
Moringaceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Musaceae 1 0.65 2 1.09
Myrtaceae 3 1.95 3 1.63
Nyctaginaceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Olacaceae 2 1.3 2 1.09
Onagraceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Opiliaceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Papaveraceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Pedaliaceae 2 1.3 2 1.09
Phyllanthaceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Piperaceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Poaceae 4 2.6 4 2.17
Polygalaceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Portulacaceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Rhamnaceae 1 0.65 3 1.63
Rubiaceae 3 1.95 3 1.63
Rutaceae 2 1.3 3 1.63
Salvadoraceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Sapindaceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Sapotaceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Scrophulariaceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Solanaceae 4 2.6 6 3.26
Sterculiaceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Tiliaceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Ulmaceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Verbenaceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Vitaceae 2 1.3 2 1.09
Zingiberaceae 2 1.3 2 1.09
Zygophyliaceae 1 0.65 1 0.54
Total 154 100 184 100

22
 Gentianaceae
Ulmaceae
Capparaceae
Arecaceae
Annonaceae
Connaraceae
Aizoaceae
Loganiaceae
`

Cyperaceae
Nyctaginaceae
Polygalaceae
Moringaceae
Euphorbiaceae
Burseraceae
Cochlospermaceae
Solanaceae
Malvaceae
Lamiaceae
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Frequency of occurence

Figure 3: Distribution of the plant families used by the Hausa/Fulani communities in Lagos

state, Nigeria.

3.3 PLANT PARTS USED AND MODE OF PREPARATION

The Hausa-Fulani people used a wide range of plant part for their herbal remedies (Figure 4).

Among the 184 plant species documented, the most commonly harvested plant for medicinal

uses was the leaves (54), followed by whole plant (33), bark (32), root (25), stem (6), while other

plant part such as (rhizome, bulb, fruit, gum, seed, flower) and a combination of two (2) different

plant parts constitute the remaining 34 plants species documented (see Fig. 4). The leaf as shown

in figure 6 is the most harvested plant part used for medicinal purposes. The preferred use of leaf

for medicinal purposes helps for sustainable harvesting of plants since removal of an appreciable

amount of leaf is tolerated by the plant.

23
 60
50
54
40
Frequency

30
33 32
20 25
10 6 1 2 2 1 1 2 1 5 3 1 2 2 5 4 1 1
0

Part Used

Figure 4: Showing various plant parts used for the treatment of various ailments in the

study area.

Most of the herbal remedies used to treat various disease and disorders in the study area are

majorly prepared by decoction which is soaking the plant part in water which is then heated in

order to extract the bioactive compounds of the plant (45.1%) followed by infusion (22.2%),

grinding (19.6%), direct (6.5%), ointment (3.3%) while other methods constitute the remaining

3.3% (Figure 5). Decoctions involved boiling the plant parts in water or first pounding the part

and then boiling. For most TMPs, boiling is considered the most effective method in extracting

plant bioactive components. Also, it preserves them longer compared with using cold water.

However, a major concern when using the decoction method is that if the timing is got wrong,

some active principles may be denatured and useful aromatic compounds present may also be

lost through its release into the air.

Majority of the reported herbal preparations are drawn from a single plant, mixtures are rarely

used. Most of the remedies used were prepared from fresh materials, and some were prepared

from either dried plant materials while a little percentage were prepared from a combination of

24
these. Most medicinal plants were brought from medicinal materials suppliers from the northern

part of the country where they are found and cultivated. Although, some of the medicinal plants

can be found accessed from major local markets (i.e. Mile 12 market) in the city, only some

species were found to be sold but mainly for their uses as spice, such as Zingiber officinale,

Capsicum annuum and Allium sativum.

90 83
80
70
60
50
41
40 36

30
20
12
10 6
1 2 2 1
0

Figure 5: Showing preparation methods of herbal medicine in the study area

Formatted: Centered, Space After: 0 pt

3.4 LIFE FORMS, DOSAGE AND ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION

The analysis of the medicinal plants using Excel worksheet showed that tree species constitute

the highest proportion having 37% (represented by 68 species) followed by herbaceous species

with 29% (53 species), shrubs (28%, 52 species) and climbers (6%, 11 species).The result of

analysis of the data showed that medications in the sample location(s) were primarily

25
administered via the oral route (159), followed by topical administration on the skin (17),

steaming (4) and body bath (4) (Fig. 6).

Climber
6%
Herb
29%
Shrub
28%

Tree
37%

Figure 6: Showing life forms of the medicinal plants in the study area.

180

160
159
140

120

100

80

60

40

20
17 4 4
0
Oral Topically Steaming Body bath

Figure 7: Showing route of administration of plants used for treating various ailments in the

study area.

26
3.5 RELATIVE FREQUENCY OF CITATION (RFC) AND FIDELITY LEVEL (FL)

From the analysis, Mangifera indica had the highest relative frequency of citation (RFC) of 0.16

along with a fidelity level (FL) of 87.5 showing that there is a high degree of consensus amongst

the respondents that cited Mangifera indica to cure malaria. While Moringa oleifera, Psidium

guajava and Zingiber officinale all exhibiting high RFC of 0.13, 0.10 and 0.10 respectively.

Among them, Psidium guajava had the highest fidelity level of 100% denoting that all the ten

informants that cited Psidium guajava declared its ability to cure fever. Although, there are other

plants that are reported to be able to treat fever, Psidium guajava is definitely the first choice of

plant used when treating fever.

27
Figure 8: Allium ascalonicum sold in local Figure 9: Hausa man showcasing Turmeric

markets at Mile 12 market

Figure 10: Showing an herb seller showcasing Figure 11: Display of herbal medicine in

his products Idi-araba

28
Figure 12: Showing the roots, stem and barks of some medicinal plants in their grinded form

29
 CHAPTER FOUR

DISCUSSION

4.1 MEDICINAL PLANTS AND ASSOCIATED KNOWLEDGE

In this study, a total of 184 medicinal plants belonging to 70 families and 154 genera were

documented. The local name, scientific name, family, part used for each plant species was also

documented. This study showed that traditional medicine still receives a lot of patronage from

the local population. The indigenous population relies to a great extent on traditional healers and

medicinal plants to meet their healthcare needs because of the perceived effectiveness, presumed

safety with minimal side effects and affordability (Abo et al., 2008). A large proportion of the

respondents acknowledge that the number of medicinal plants used in the past is far greater than

the one in use today. Most of them concluded that aggressive over-exploitation of forest

resources and increased farming activities are the major activities affecting loss of natural plant

diversity and subsequently loss of valuable medicinal plant species. From the result obtained

through the questionnaire, there is a considerable decrease in citation of medicinal plants in the

age group 18-30 when compared with other age groups. This showed that the newer generations

are not willing to learn the practice of traditional medicine and as thus, have very little

knowledge in matters relating to it. Knowledge of medicinal plants is greater in the male gender

than the female gender. In fact, a little percentage of the female gender partook in the study due

to cultural and religious beliefs.

Ethnobotanical knowledge and practice within any culture vary by geographical origin,

residence, ethnicity, religion, age, and gender (Teklehaymanot, 2009). Nonetheless, some

medicinal plants cited in this study: Asparagus africanus, Ximenia americana, Sida ovata,

Mangifera indica, Vernonia amygdalina, Ziziphus mauritiana, Allium sativum, Telfairia

30
occidentalis have been found to have similar use with the result of Salihu et al., 2015, Ishola et

al., 2014, Gbolade, 2009 and Kankara et al., 2015 studies conducted in different cultural setups

and sample area. The causes for the similarity may be an agreement of the possession of

biological active compound or effectiveness of the medicinal plants for the reported diseases

(Teklehaymanot, 2009). This similarity can encourage both pharmacological and phytochemical

study on these plants to ascertain the active bioactive ingredients responsible for the action.

The quantity of the parts used determines the dosage and depends on the information given by

the patient and the experience of the traditional medicine practitioners. The dose depends on the

patients’ physical conditions, sex, health conditions, the socio-cultural explanation and diagnosis

of the illness. During the interview, lack of consistency regarding amount of medicines to be

used was observed among informants. The lack of precise dosage is one of the major issues

affecting the acceptance of traditional medicine in the western world.

Decoction appeared to be the most common form of herbal preparation in the study area. This is

because, the HF people believe that the bioactive components of the medicinal plants are best

extracted by boiling and thus, enhancing its healing principle. Infusion as well as grinding are

also commonly used in preparing herbal remedies especially when the plant part used are root,

bark, stem and leaves. Many of the plant parts are grounded into powder by the TMPs before

administering it to the public, this is a strategy adopted in order to preserve the plant materials

that are not available both in dry and rainy seasons. Furthermore, they perceived the grinded for

to be the most effective method for the complete extraction of the potent constituents of the plant

and increases the efficacy of the medicines through faster physiological reaction. After

preparation, the powder is either used immediately or preserved for later use.

31
Most times, the TMPs in the study administered oral method for major internal traumatic injury,

respiratory disease, digestive system disease and diabetes while for diseases relating to the skin

and outer part of the body, the topical treatment is commonly used. The duration of treatments

was generally long, usually ranging from a few weeks to several months based on the severity of

the diseases/injury in question (Goldring and Goldring, 2006). In rare cases, treatment usually

entails a concoction of different plants, plant parts and methods of preparation (Salihu et al.,

2018). Some believed that combining plant extracts offer a wider range of biological effects but

this is not a common practice among the HF people as shown in Fig. 6. The use of the

concoction method in preparing herbal remedies in the study area is dubbed very risky as one

will not know the active ingredient or the plant really doing the work and also its adverse effects

may be profound if not administered well since it involves a variety of plants.

4.2 CONCLUSION

There have been very few ethnobotanical works done on the HF people especially outside of

their natural environment. This study showed that these group of people are still very rich in

ethnobotanical knowledge and they still practice it. Traditional medicine knowledge is facing

great treat in these modern times as the present generations are unwilling to learn the trade from

their ancestors due to the fact they perceived it as unprofitable and due to other influences from

western culture. Thus, there is an urgent need to find solution to conserving and transmitting the

traditional medicine knowledge in the study area for future use. Government agencies should

create functional traditional medicine boards which will document and validate the acclaimed

use of each medicinal plant documented on the various local pharmacopoeias by facilitating both

pharmacological and phytochemical study on these plants. Furthermore, this study will pave the

way for future ethnobotanical and anthropological research on the HF people.

32
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 Ethnobotanical study of the Hausa/Fulani communities in Lagos State,
Nigeria. (Questionnaire)
Section 1. IDENTITY OF THE INTERVIEWED PERSON
i. State of origin…………………… ii. Gender: female ☐ male ☐

iii. Tribe/Ethnic group: ☐ Hausa ☐ Fulani ☐ others (indicate)………………………..

iv. Place of birth…………………..... v. Age: ☐ 18-30 ☐ 31-40 ☐ 41-50

☐ 51-60 ☐ 61-70 ☐ 71-100

vi. Education qualification: ☐ School cert. ☐ SSCE ☐ OND/NCE ☐HND/B.sc

☐ M.sc/Ph.D.
Vii. Occupation……………………………….

Section 2. DATA ABOUT PLANT USAGE

A. Medicinal plant

i. Region of the plant source: ☐ North ☐ south

ii. Source of the plant: ☐ wild ☐ cultivated ☐ Both

iii. Do you use plant/plant materials? Yes/No
iv. If yes, what do you use it for? ……………………………………………………………....
v. How effective are plants as traditional medicine? ☐ Very high ☐ High ☐ Average ☐ Low
vi. Give list of some of the medicinal plants used and disease being used for.
S/N Plants Habit Part used Treatment Method of Mode of usage
preparation
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

38