Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used for the treatment of Diabetes mellitus in the north western region of Nigeria.
Etuk E. U., Bello S. O., Isezuo S. A., Mohammed B. J.
Author Affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, College of Health Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria.
Asian Journal of Experimental Biological Sciences 1 : 55-59
Abstract : Ethnobotanical survey was conducted to document plant remedies used for the treatment of Diabetes mellitus (DM) in three randomly selected states in north western Nigeria. Data were collected by oral interviews of herbal medical practitioners (Herbalist) and their responses recorded in a prepiloted forms. The data obtained were further analyzed, collated and tabulated to give the botanical names, common names, local names, families and the parts of the plants used. The results showed that, thirty four different plant species were cited by the Herbalist as being used in the area for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Two plants, Mangifera indica and Vernonia amygdalina were ranked highest based on Informant consensus. All the Herbalists interviewed had no formal education. They inherited the knowledge of their practices from their fore parents, relatives or friends. This high number of medicinal plants recorded perhaps indicated the rich plant diversity of the area.