Documentation of the Medicinal and Nutritional Benefits of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) R.Br. ex G. Don Used by the People of Auta Balefi Community in Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Plants remain a veritable source of medicine for a substantial world population. The knowledge of medicinal properties of plants such as Parkia biglobosa, by indigenous people is progressively fading out due to poor record-keeping, modernization, and loss of language. Therefore, this study was designed to determine if the knowledge of P. biglobosa is still preserved among the inhabitants of the Auta Balefi, community. Relevant information was obtained from traditional medicine practitioners and other professionals using a semi-structured questionnaire, and one-on-one verbal communication. A total of sixty (60) respondents were interviewed. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the information obtained. The study's findings revealed that P. biglobosa was widely used both medicinally and nutritionally by the people in the study area. The majority (83.3%) of respondents claimed medicinal and nutritional knowledge of the plant and acknowledged utilizing all portions of the plant medicinally for various health concerns, whilst 16.7% claimed no knowledge of the plant. The root was the most frequently mentioned therapeutic benefit (65%), while protein (33.3%) was cited for nutritional benefit, and decoction (33%) was the main method of preparation. 38.3% of respondents mixed P. biglobosa with other plants for medical purposes, while 61.7% did not. Most respondents (26.7%) are knowledgeable and attribute their knowledge to studies, whereas only 6.7 percent say their dreams inspired them. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of major metabolites except for anthraquinone and flavonoids. The study concludes that inhabitants of the Auta Balefi community had medicinal and nutritional knowledge of P. biglobosa.