Ethnobotanical Survey on Medicinal Herbs Used in Treatment of Diabetes in Oye Local Government

Student: Suleman Nefisat Funke (Project, 2025)
Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology
Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State

Abstract

An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal herbs used for the treatment diabetes in Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Nigeria. Ethnobotanical data were collected by semi-structured questionnaire administered to fifty (150) respondents made up of traditional birth attendants, herb sellers, traditional leaders, hunter/farmers and housewife. From the survey, a total of 27 plant species belonging to 15 families were found to be useful in the treatment of diabetes. Recipes used in the treatment of this disease were documented. Prominent among them are Ageratum conyzoides, Allium ascalonicun, Allium Sativum, Carica papaya,Rauvolfia vomitoria, Aframomum meleguata, Momordica charantia, Senna podocarpa and Vernonia amygdalina. These species were found to be very important and useful in the treatment of diabetes based on their frequency of occurrence in the recipes obtained. Decoction, Maceration and Concoction were the main methods of preparation while duration of usage is between 2 weeks or more. Survey revealed that leaves form the major part of plants for herbal preparations. Residents in the study area find traditional medicine cheaper as compared to orthodox medicine. A need for further scientific research based on the findings of this work is needed.

Keywords
ethnobotanical survey medicinal herbs treatment diabetes local government
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