Assessments of Medicinal Plants Used in Treatment of Various Ailments in Kano City, Nigeria

Aim: The aim of this research is to conduct an Ethno botanical assessments of medicinal plants used in the treatment of various ailments in Kano metropolis, Nigeria

Methodology: A systematic survey of medicinal plants, used in the treatment of different diseases in Kano metropolis involving 66 participants (30 herbalists, 18 old people with knowledge of traditional medicine, 6 Botanists and 12 traditional medicine users) was conducted from February 2016 to August 2016 using simple structured questionnaire.

Results: The result revealed that 79 different plant species belonging to 48 plant families are used for curing various ailments in Kano metropolis. The most frequently used herbs are from the families used as medicinal plant in Kano Metropolis according to this study includes Fabaceae, Moraceae, Combretaceae, Rubiceae and Anacardiaceae. The ailments mostly mentioned in the application of these medicinal plants/preparations included; pile, typhoid fever, pains, cancers, cough/colds, rheumatism, diabetes and sexual dysfunction. The study of habits & habitats of the materials collection showed that 52% of the medicinal plant species are trees and mostly found in the wild (62%). The survey also revealed that the leaves are the major parts used for herbal preparation accounted for 45%. The main methods of preparation are mostly decoction with occasional administrations of infusions & pounded plant parts.

Conclusion: Plants continue to provide a source of hope for novel drug compounds as they have made large contributions to human health and well-being.