Ethnomedicinal study of some plants used as spices by the inhabitants of Kano Metropolis, northern Nigeria

Abstract

A research was conducted to study the ethnomedicinal importance of some plants used as spices by the indigenous people of selected markets in the area. A self collection. The result obtained revealed the presence of fourteen different plant species representing nine families used as spices. These spices were found to be very effective against several clinical symptoms such as rheumatism, pneumonia, stomachache, fever, pile and ulcerative colitis among others. They also served as hypolipidemic, antithrombotic, anti hypertensive, anti-hyperglycemic, antihypercholesterolemic and immuno as anticancer agents. Garlic, clove, ginger, nutmeg and chilli pepper are the most predominant spices used in the area with relative frequent use of 25%, 24%, 21%, 15% and 9% respectively. The research also discovered their methods of preparation to vary from one location to another within the area. However, despite the roles they play in adding taste and flavor and nutritional composition to the diets, their usage is declinin changing pattern of food choice and urbanization coupled with economic melt therefore the need to call the attention of the health care sector to review the medicinal value of the spices and involve their applications into