African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines African Ethnomedicines Network ISSN: 0189-6016 Vol. 2, Num. 2, 2005, pp. 134-152

African Journal. Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines Vol. 2, Num. 2, 2005, pp. 134-152

Research Paper

TRADITIONAL MEDICINE PRACTICE AMONGST THE IGEDE PEOPLE OF NIGERIA. PART II

J. O. Igoli,¹*O. G. Ogaji,¹T. A. Tor-Anyiin¹ and N. P. Igoli²

¹Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2373, Makurdi, Nigeria. ²Department of Science, College of Advanced and Professional Studies, P.M.B. 102211, Makurdi Nigeria E-mail: igolij@yahoo.com (Igoli, J.O)

Code Number: tc05016

Abstract

A questionnaire-guided ethno-medical survey of the Igede speaking communities of Benue state (Nigeria) was conducted. 90 plant species from 45 families were identified covering 109 recipes against 35 ailments, including internal, external infections and parasitic diseases as well as poisons, pesticides, cuisine and for veterinary purposes. Ageratum conyzoides was the only plant used in HIV/AIDS disease. Mode of preparation, dosage regimen, plant(s) and part(s) used are reported. The importance of this kind of documentation in research and bio-conservation are discussed.

Keywords: Ethno-medicine, Igede, Nigeria, extracts, ailments.

Introduction

Ethnobotany and ethno-medical studies are today, recognised as the most viable methods of identifying new medicinal plants or refocusing on those earlier reported for bioactive constituents (Adjanahoun et al., 1991; Farnsworth, 1966). The clinical success of quinine and quinidine isolated from the Cinchona tree bark and recently artemisinin from Artemisia annua in the treatment of malaria have rekindled interest in medicinal plants as potential sources of novel drugs (Di Flumeri et al.,2000). Plants which are observed to be efficacious and frequently prescribed may contain compounds that are potential drug candidates and could rightly be recomended for further examination. Scientific investigations of medicinal plants have been initiated in many countries because of their contributions to health care. The continual search for, and the interest in natural plant products, for use as medicines has acted as the catalyst for exploring methodologies involved in obtaining the required plant materials and thence probing their constituents. In the selection of plants for pharmacological screening, five approaches are known, namely: The random approach which involves the collection of all plants from the study area, phytochemical targeting which deals with the collection of all the members of the plant' s family known to be rich in bioactive compounds, the ethnobotanical survey approach, which is based on traditional medical uses of the plant(s), the chemotaxonomic approach which is based on plants having similar constituents which maybe in different families and the screening of specific parts of a plant such as the seeds, barks, roots, leaves and other plant parts (Farnsworth, 1966). It is also reported that plant sampling based on ethnobotanical survey approach showed greater percentage yield of bioactive useful medicinal compounds over the other methods even though targeted and random screening of plants and their extracts for activity have also yielded excellent results (Khafagi and Dewedar,2000).

The depletion rate of genetic resources is high, yet little is known about most of the world's plant species especially tropical rainforest floras. When viewed against the current rate of extinction and decimation of tropical floras especially forests before their plants are studied, this paucity of knowledge is alarming. With the current trends of destruction of tropical forest habitats, there is the need to survey and document the medicinal plant flora of indigenous communities in the region. One of such community is the Igede speaking areas of Benue State, Nigeria. The people are presently dependent more on the traditional medical system as compared to the orthodox medical system. This study highlights the use of medicinal plants in the traditional medical practices of the people especially those used against HIV/AIDS, diabetes, infertility, diarrhoea, hypertension, veterinary and other common ailments.

Materials and Methods

Information on the plants was gathered through oral interviews of Igede people using a structured questionnaire. Older individuals, local medicine men or herbalists and others who claim to have effective prescriptions were interviewed. Plant materials were obtained by accompanying practitioners and making collections of such plants used in medical practice. Plants were identified during collection or at the Forestry and wildlife Department of University of Agriculture, Makurdi where voucher specimens were also deposited. Throughout the interviews local plant names, useful plant parts, method of preparation, application mode, dosage, and duration of treatment (where specific) were recorded. Also information on the duration of practice, source of knowledge, the extent of patronage and level of success in curing the ailments were recorded.

Results

Eighty nine species of plants belonging to forty six families were identified from fifty respondents. A total of one hundred and nine prescriptions or recipes were recorded for thirty five ailments or therapeutic indications/uses. Ailments with highest number of prescriptions/recipes include diarrhea (10); infertility (7), skin infections (7); diabetes (6), hypertension (6), fevers (6) and veterinary purposes (6) while cough and fresh wounds had five each. In terms of plant families, Euphorbiaceae had the highest number of plants prescribed (15) followed by Caesalpinaceae (13), Rubiaceae (12), Bignoniaceae (11), Poaceae (10), Mimosaceae and Anonaceae (7 each), Compositae and Rutaceae (6 each) and Anacardiaceae (5). Individual plant species with highest frequency of prescriptions were 6 each for Nauclea latifolia and Pilliostigma thonningii, 5 each for Ageratum conyzoides, Newlboldia laevis, Phyllanthus muererianus with 4 each for Cochlospermum planchonii, Ocimum gratissimum and Parkia biglobosa. Ageratum conyzoides was the only plant reported in the treatment of HIV/AIDS. Table 1a and 1b summarizes the plant(s), their local names and part(s) being used, the prescriptions and the mode of preparation and administration.

Discussion

This study indicates that for the Igede people, traditional medicine has wide acceptability and a long history. Indeed, majority of the people use these medications at one time or another and this presupposes the efficacy and safety of plant materials used in ethno-medicines. It could not be ascertained when and how the practitioners first introduced a remedy or prescription. No particularly toxic plant species were encountered and in all cases needing extraction, water was used exclusively as the extraction medium (Igoli et al., 2003). Practitioners could not explain why in many cases two or more plants or plant parts are used jointly. This may be due to either synergistic or additive effects of the constituents that have been observed over the years (Igoli et al., 2002). There is therefore a need to investigate these medicinal plants within the context of these reported claims. Oral consumption of remedies was advised where extracts were involved and in some cases dosages (usually 150-300ml, two to three times a day) and duration of treatment (usually 2-5 days or until when symptoms disappear) were prescribed. Presently, it is imperative for developing nations such as Nigeria to systematically document uses of medicinal plants in all autonomous areas or communities, which are still largely unexplored. This is because the old folks who are usually custodians of such information and fast disappearance of traditional cultures and natural resources arising from urbanization and industrialization of these areas, such information could be lost forever (Igoli et al., 2002; 2003). Documentation of this kind of information will be beneficial in general health care, ecological control, forest conservation, research and providing leads to plants with useful medicinal properties. This is imperative now because with the current rate of destruction of tropical forest habitats, plant scientists may have little time to survey the plant kingdom for useful novel or lead compounds.

Ethno-medicines can also be incorporated in primary health care, as these people feel safer with cures indigenous to them which may also be cost effective. Other benefits of ethnobotanical surveys have been discussed earlier (Githens 1949; Shellard 1979; Sofowora 1994; Burkill 1985; Tor-Anyiin et al., 2003). Plants and prescriptions used against malaria fever have earlier been reported (Igoli et al., 2002; 2003; Tor-Anyiin et al., 2003) and apart from Crossepteryx febrifuga (Local name: Ucho onyobiri) and Azadiracta indica (Local name: Idongoyaro) all the other plants were encountered in this study. Only one prescription was reported for HIV/AIDS, perhaps, because this is a modern disease or due to controversies/confusions generated by earlier claims of ethno-medical practitioners, the respondents were not forthcoming with information on this particular ailment. However it is known from experience that herbalists are wont to treat any kind of ailment brought before them.

It is worthwhile to note that in this study, no attempt was made to screen any of these plants phytochemically, biologically nor any toxicity studies undertaken.

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