Ethnobiological survey of traditional medicine practices in Oyo State

Abstract

A comprehensive study with the aim of documenting traditional medicinal practices was carried out betweenrnNovember 2008 and January 2012 in 16 locations across Oyo State. Semi-structured questionnaires and open-endedrninformal interviews were administered during series of visits to a total of 31 respondents. A total of 115 traditionalrnmedicinal practices were described for the treatment of 32 different ailments. Ninety-one plants, 18 animals and 26rnother ingredients were described being used in the preparations of the described traditional remedies. The 88rnidentified plants spread across 50 plant families; with Papilionaceae having the highest (7) number of speciesrnrepresentatives. Baby care had the highest number (14) of herbal remedies. The mode of preparations andrnadministration of the herbal treatments varied widely. Leaf was the most frequently used plant part in the herbalrnremedies described in this study. This study further strengthened the relationship between indigenous knowledge,rnethnomedicinal practices and pharmacology.