Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal Plants Used in the Treatment of Diabetes in Irepodun Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used for the treatment diabetes in Irepodun Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria was conducted between March and June, 2013. Ethnobotanical data were collected by oral interview and semi-structured questionnaire administered to fifty (50) respondents made up of traditional medical practitioners (TMPs), herb sellers, civil servants and farmers. From the survey, a total of 45 plant species belonging to 29 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 Rauvolfia vomitoria, Aframomum meleguata, Momordica charantia, Xylopia aethiopica, Senna spp. 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. Herbal remedies were either prepared from dried or freshly collected plants while traditional solvent of choice included water, lime and aqueous extract from fermented maize. Decoction and pulverization were the main methods of preparation while mode of administration varies within 2 to 3 times daily. 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.