Traditional Anti-fever Phytotherapies in Sagamu and Remo North Districts in Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

An ethnobotanical survey was conducted to identify the medicinal plants in Sagamu Local Government Area (LGA), and Remo North LGA of Ogun State, Nigeria, implicated in the treatment of various types of fever. The survey tools consisted of a semi-structured questionnaire and oral interviews. Seventy respondents mostly ages 31 to 50 covered in this survey were drawn from among the villagers, herbalists, herb sellers, traditional medical practitioners, students, community leaders, and elders who are mostly educated. Four types of fever including malaria, yellow fever, typhoid, and cold were identified with malaria and yellow fever being very common. The majority of the respondents were quite knowledgeable in the etiology, symptoms, and seasonality of all fevers except cold. Survey results document 116 anti-fever herbal recipes being administered as oral decoction or infusion for both curative and preventive purposes. Treatment is usually devoid of known side effects. Cymbopogon citratus, Citrus aurantifolia, Enantia chlorantha, Carica papaya, Morinda lucida, and Lawsonia inermis were frequently included in anti-fever herbal recipes.

Keywords:

• Malaria
• yellow fever
• typhoid
• ethnobotanical survey

Notes

The authors appreciate the respondents in Ogun State for their cooperation.