Herbal Medicinal Treatment of Malaria in Aliero Local Government Area, Kebbi, Nigeria

Abstract

With the increasing levels of malaria parasite drug resistance, the herbal knowledge of indigenous communities for malaria treatment can play an important role in identification of any new antimalarial plants that is yet to be discovered. Information was collected by interviewing indigenous people, using a semistructured questionnaire. Collected plant samples were identified with the help of taxonomist, herbarium materials, and taxonomic keys in the flora of Nigeria. A total of 119 respondents were interviewed, comprising of homemade herbal medicine user 105 (88.2%) and traditional healers 14 (11.8%). Nineteen plants species belonging to15 families were identified. The most frequently mentioned species were Azadirachta indica (72.2%), Magifera indica (63.0%), Citrus aurantifolia (48.7%), Carica papaya (31.9%), and Psidium gujava (22.7%). These plants can be a potential source for the development of new antimalarial drug. Therefore, the most frequently mentioned species should be considered for further research to standardize and validate their safety and efficacy. Keyword: Herbal, treatment, malaria, Aliero, Kebbi, Nigeria