Esan study documents 70 medicinal plants
Researchers have documented 70 herbal plants used to treat common ailments ranging from common cold to complex pathological disorders, including those relating to the respiratory, circulatory and genito-urinary systems. CHUKWUMA MUANYA reports.
NIGERIAN researchers have documented medicinal herbs used for managing some common ailments in Esan land, Edo State. The 70 plants were used in 115 different methods or preparation. About 83 per cent of the herbal preparations were given orally, while 17 per cent were applied topically. The aerial parts of the plants (84 per cent) were most frequently administered in the form of decoctions.
According to the study, some of the herbs also form part of their diets and include: Talinum trangulare, Boerhavia diffusa, Euphorbia hirta, Gongronema latifolium and Aframomum melegueta. Indeed, the Esan people are known for their rich cultural heritage, which is reflected in the well-developed herbal medicine used to cure and manage various disease conditions. Esanland is also the home of PaxHerbals where catholic monks have gone into full production of herbal medicines blended with orthodox care.
The study is titled "Medicinal Herbs Used for Managing Some Common Ailments among Esan People of Edo State, Nigeria". The researchers include: R.I. Okoli ; O. Aigbe; J.O. Ohaju-Obodo; and J.K. Mensah of the Departments of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Medical Biochemistry, and Botany, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State. The study was carried out in 21 selected communities in Esanland, an ethnic group located in Edo State, Nigeria. The communities studied include: Ahia, Amahor, Amendokhian, Egoro-Naoka, Eko-Ibadin, Ekpoma, Ekpon, Emu, Ewatto, Ibore, Obeidu, Obieromu, Ohordua, Opoji, Ubiaja, Ugbiyokho, Ugbegun, Ukhun, Uwalor, Uromi and Udo.
A total of 1,106 indigenes were interviewed and of these, patients who were undergoing treatment at various herbal homes constituted the largest percentage of 36.2 per cent while traditional birth attendants constituted the least (7.2 per cent). Oral route was the most frequently used route of administration (83 per cent) while inhalation and inserts/use of suppositions recorded the least (6.9 per cent and 0 per cent respectively. The results revealed that aerial parts of the plants (84 per cent) were the most commonly used parts while roots or underground parts of the herbs (16 per cent) were the least used parts.
The leaf was indeed the most popular plants part used in the various herbal preparations (51 per cent) while seed (8.1 per cent) and fruits were used occasionally. Flowers have the least frequency of 0.9 per cent. They also gave the herbal plants used for their treatment. Gastro-intestinal disease had the highest number of herbal plants for its treatment (23), followed by treatment of infertility in women or gynaecological and obstetrics problems (17); the least number of plants was used for the management of ear problems (1).
In the communities studied, traditional medicine offered remedies to some of the common ailments ranging from common cold to complex pathological disorders relating to poor blood circulation, gastro-intestinal, respiratory, genito-urinary system, as well as infertility, impotence, rheumatism and asthma.
Most of herbs were associated with gastro-intestinal disorders. Interestingly, some of the plants, which are known for treating specific ailments, also form part of the diet of the indigenes, who use them in various food preparations. Notable among these are: Aframomum melegueta, Euphorbia hirta, Telferia occidentalis, Vernonia amygdalina among others.
- The leaf extract of Abrus precatorius (Empo in Esan) is applied on the eyes for cataract and chewed for asthma.
- A leaf decoction of Acacia sieberiana (Alughan in Esan) is taken orally for urinary tract disorder.
- Fruits and seeds of Aframomum melegueta (Alligator pepper) are chewed for low sperm count and menstrual pain.
- The leaf decoction of Ageratum conyzoidess (Okhekhe in Esan) is used for dressing wound, while the root as decoction is taken orally for rheumatism. The leaf extract is applied on affected parts for skin rashes.
- The leaf of Alchornea latiflora (Obieyba in Esan) ground with pepper and taken orally is used for stopping vomiting
- A decoction of the bulb/leaf of Allium cepa (Onions) is taken orally for asthma and kidney problem. The bulb is burnt and used for ulcer.
- A decoction of the bulb of Allium sativum (Garlic and Nikhere in Esan) taken orally is used for asthma. The cloves are chewed for epilepsy.
- A decoction of the root of Alstonia booneii (Ojegbhukhun in Esan) is taken orally for epilepsy. A decoction of the bark is taken orally for expelling retained placenta.
- The mashed roots of Amaranthus spinosus (Obiwhne in Esan, Inine ogwu in Igbo and spiny Amaranthus in English) soaked in ethanol and taken orally for allergy.
- A decoction of the bark of Anacardium occidentale (Ikashu in Esan and cashew tree in English) is taken orally for dysentery. Bark is chewed for toothache and sore gum.
- The ripe fruit of Ananas comosus (Edin-ebo in Esan) is eaten for asthma.
- A leaf decoction of Aspillia Africana (Ohawe in Esan) is taken orally to stop vomiting, while the leaf is chewed for the same purpose.
- An infusion of the leaves of Alternanthera sessalis (Obiewe in Esan) is applied on affected parts for eczema.
- A decoction of the bark and leaf of Azadirachta indica (Dogoyaro in Esan and Neem tree in English) is taken orally for malaria. The leaf decoction is used to bath.
- The leaf of Boerhaavia diffusa (Ebe-Ukpokodo in Esan) is used for making soup, which is taken orally for fertility. The leaf is pounded with pepper (Capsicum annuum), salt is added and taken orally against menstrual pain.
- The leaves of Bryophillum pinnatum (Ogbodogho in Esan) are used for cough. Leaves are passed over the fire for a minute, fluid produced is taken orally.
- The leaf/bark decoction of Caesalpina pulcherrima (Eko-omode in Esan) is taken orally as purgative and the seed powder is taken orally for nervous ailment.
- The root of Cajanus cajan (Olene in Esan) ground and taken orally for frequent stooling. The leaf extract is used for chicken pox and mouth wash decoction is taken orally for toothache.
- The leaf extract of Calotropis procera (Tofiafia in Esan) is taken orally for stomach pain.
- The leaf extract of Cannabis sativa (Itabe-elimin in Esan, Igbo in Igbo, Indian hemp in English) is applied on the scalp for dandruff. As stimulant when prepared along with food such as beans and porridge.
- The leaf extract of Capsicum frutescens (Asin in Esan) is applied on the eye for eye pain. Seed is ground and taken orally.
- The smoke of burnt dry leaf of Carica papaya (pawpaw) is inhaled for asthma. The seed is chewed for tuberculosis. The unripe fruit is taken for stomach ulcer. A leaf decoction is taken orally for hypertension. Leaf is crushed, little quantity of water and native chalk is added to it, the extract is taken orally. For malaria, dried leaf is boiled for along time and is taken orally.
- The leaf decoction of Ceiba pentandra (Okha in Esan) is taken orally for stomach pain.
- A decoction of the leaf of Chromolaena odorata (Ebe-awolowo in Esan) is taken orally for diarrhoea and menstrual pain.
- The fruit juice of Citrus aurantifolia (Igbopin-nigue in Esan) is taken orally for abdominal pain. The leaf is chewed for bad breath. A decoction of the stem is taken orally for opthalmia
- Fruit juice of Citrus paradise (Alimo-grape in Esan and grapefruit in English) is taken orally for tuberculosis.
- Fruit juice of Citrus sinensis (Alimo in Esan) is taken orally for tuberculosis.
- The leaf Cleome viscose (Ikharo-oha in Esan) is chewed three times a day for female infertility.
- A decoction of the bark of Cocos nucifera (Uvin in Esan and coconut in English) is taken orally for scabies, while a decoction of the root is taken orally for uterine diseases, urethritis, bronchitis, liver ailment and dysentery.
- The root of Crateva adansoni (Ogiri-oha in Esan) is chewed regular interval for a month for weakness of male reproductive organ (decreased Libido).
- A decoction of leaf of Cymbopogon citrates (Ihumibo in Esan and lemon grass in English) is taken orally for high fever.
- A decoction of the leaf of Cynodon dactylon is taken orally for irregular menstruation.
- The leaf decoction of Dialium guinense (Igen in Esan, Icheku in Igbo and Black tamarind in English) is chewed for hiccup
- A leaf decoction of Dichapetalium heudebtii (Ureaja in Esan) is taken orally for hypertension.
- The roots of Dityandra involucrate (Ebeughegbe in Esan) are used for bone fractures. Scrapings from the outer covering of the roots are mixed with ground fruits of added, the mixture is made warm over the fire. The decoction is applied on the affected area.
- The kernel oil from Elaeis guineensis (Udin in Esan and Palm tree) is used as anticonvulsant. The extract is applied all over the body.
- The leaf of Euphorbia hirta (Azugben in Esan and Asthma herb in English) is applied on the surface of the wound. The fresh leaf is used for asthma. It is prepared as soup, which is taken orally. A flower decoction is taken orally for infertility in women.
- The leaf latex of Euphorbia heterophylla is applied directly on the ear twice a day for ear pain.
- The leaf of Ficus exasperata (Ebe-Ameme in Esan) is used to scratch the affected part for ringworm.
- The leaves of Ficus exasperata are ground and applied directly on the boil.
- A decoction of the root bark of Garcinia kola (Adu in Esan) is used for asthma. The decoction of the bulb/seed is taken orally after food for tuberculosis.
- The leaf of Gongronema latifolum (Utezi in Esan) is eaten raw or as vegetable in soup as spice for diabetes.
- The leaf of Hibiscus rosasinensis (Obobo in Esan) is ground with salt and taken orally once a day for abnormal development of foetus.
- The poultice of the leaf of Ipomoea batatas (Iyan ebo in Esan and Potato in English) is applied for boils and wounds on affected area. A decoction is taken orally as purgative.
- The root decoction of Jatropha curcas (Ujavade/ Okokoio) is taken orally for epilepsy. The seed is burnt and eaten as abortifacient. Dry seed is ground, kept in local gin and taken orally for gonorrhoea. An infusion of the dry leaf is taken orally for indigestion and stomach ulcer.
- The tuber of Manihot utillissima (Egu in Esan) soaked for three days before the addition of a glass of water and is taken orally for bleeding during pregnancy
- Tuber. The leaf decoction of Melanthera scandens (Obreshelle in Esan) is taken orally for stomach disorders.
- The leaf and fruit of Momordica charantia (Urakhanye in Esan) are squeezed together in water and taken orally for fertility. The whole plant is used for diabetes. The fruit decoction is taken orally for low sperm count. A mixture of ground young fruit with snails is taken orally once a day.
- Leaf extract is applied on the affected area for ringworm.
- A decoction of the unripe fruit of Musa paradisiaca (Oghede in Esan and plantain in English) is taken orally for stomach ulcer. Leaf mixed with palm oil is applied externally for haemorrhoids (pile)
- The leaves of Musa sapientum (Oghede-nikhere in Esan) are burnt, and the ashes are rubbed in the affected area for eczema.
- The decoction of the root of Newbouldia laevis (Ukhimi in Esan) and early abortion of the stem bark is taken orally for epilepsy.
- A decoction of the fresh leaves of Nicotiana tabacum (Itaba in Esan) is taken orally for epilepsy.
- A decoction of the root of Olax subscorpioidea (Ukpakon in Esan) is used to reduce fat during pregnancy, for constipation. A decoction of the bark/leaf is taken orally for yellow fever, jaundice, venereal diseases and guinea worm.
- The leaf of Parguetina nigrescence (Ufiogba in Esan) is squeezed together in water and is taken orally for malaria.
- The leaf of Paullinia pinnata (Ekeleba-kpugho in Esan) is taken orally as a purgative.
- The root of Penisetum purpureum (Esun in Esan) is taken orally for indigestion.
- The leaf of Persea Americana (Olumuebo in Esan and Avocado in English) is boiled and taken orally for hypertension.
- The whole plant of Phyllanthus amarus (Ikekeebe in Esan) is taken orally for bleeding during pregnancy.
- The leaves of Portulaca oleracea (Userue in Esan) are cooked using yam and palm oil and are eaten for bleeding during pregnancy.
- The juice extract of mature Saccharum officinarum (Uriekhue in Esan) is taken for typhoid fever.
- The leaf extract of Sida acuta (Ubane alimi in Esan) is taken for gonorrhea.
- The root of Sphenocetrum (Obiomanuwhuno in Esan) is chewed for impotence, loss of Libido like chewing stick every morning.
- The leaves of Spondias mombin (Ogheghe in Esan) are eaten for allergy.
- The tuber extract of Talinum triangulare (Ebodondon in Esan) is taken orally for schistosomiasis, scabies and fresh cuts.
- The seed of Telferia occidentalis (Umwenken in Esan and Ugu in Igbo) is boiled and eaten for increasing sperm count in male.
- The leaf decoction of Terminalia catappa (Belebo in Esan) is taken orally for diabetes.
- An infusion of the leaf of Triumfetta rhomoboidea (Uwerientan in Esan) is taken orally to induce fertility and make womb receptive to implantation of feotus.
- The unwashed leaf of Vernonia amydgalina (Oriwo in Esan, Onugwu in Igbo and bitter leaf in English) is prepared as soup and taken in the evenings for hypertension.
- The fruits of Xylopia aethiopica (Erierie in Esan, Uda in Igbo and African Black pepper in English) are mixed with scrappings from the outer roots of Dityandra involucrate and oil. Then mixture is made warm over fire and applied on the fractured site for bone fractures.
- A decoction of the rhizome of Zingiber afficinale (Agio in Esan and Ginger in English) is taken orally for tuberculosis.
The researchers concluded: "It could be said that the use of medicinal herbs to cure common ailments would continue to be a major part of the health care delivery system in many societies. This may be related not only to cost and difficulty in obtaining modern orthodox medical care."