Authors:
Oke, O.O., Banmeke, T.O.A., Adeoye, A.S. and Ajayi, O.B. ,Nigeria |
Abstract:
This study investigated the utilization of medicinal plants in the treatment of malaria among rural
dwellers in Oyo State. A well structured questionnaire with interview schedule was used to
obtain primary data from 240 rural dwellers selected through multi stage sampling procedure.
Data were obtained on common medicinal plants used in malaria treatment, parts and forms of its
use, and factors influencing its use. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and Analysis
of Variance. Findings revealed that a total of 38 species of medicinal plants were used by rural
dwellers in malaria treatment, out of which Azadirachta indica, Chromolaena odorata, Mangifera
indica, Carica papaya and Cymbopogon citrate the most were commonly used. Results revealed
that medicinal plant parts frequently used by the respondents were leaves of Chromolaena
odorata (95.4%), Cymbopogon citrates (94.2%), Henna plant (94.2%), Phyllantus amarus
(87.5%), Momordica charantia (86.7%), and Azadirachta indica (84.6%). Also, 91.0% of the
respondents indicated that extract from the leaves of the plants were consumed in liquid form
after boiling. Furthermore, efficacy of herbal medicine (87.1%), indigenous knowledge of
medicinal plants (82.1%), and availability of medicinal plants (65.8%) were the major factors
that informed the use of these plants for malaria treatment. Majority (88.3%) of the rural
dwellers consumed medicinal plants more than twice daily for malaria treatment. Result of
ANOVA showed a significant difference (p<0.05) in parts of medicinal plants (F = 12.435) and
forms of medicinal plants (F = 16.345) used by respondents in the study area. The study
concluded that the commonly used medicinal plants for malaria treatment in the study area were
Azadirachta indica, Chromolaena odorata, Henna plant, Gossypium barbadense and
Cymbopogoncitrates. It was recommended that concerted efforts be made in developing malaria
drugs locally from these identified plants |
