ETHNOBOTANICAL SURVEY OF SOME ANTIMALARIAL MEDICINAL PLANTS, THEIR THERAPEUTIC PREPARATION AND ADMINISTRATION IN ABIA STATE, SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA

Onyenso, A.I. and Onyenweaku, L.N.

Department of Forestry and Environmental Management

Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Umuahia, Abia State

E-mail: onyensoanthony@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used for the treatment of malaria in Abia State, Southeastern Nigeria was carried out using questionnaire and oral interviews of practicing orthodox medicine dealers and patrons. Results indicated that 23 plant species belonging to 18 families were identified. Investigations on the plant part(s) used and mode of preparation and administration indicated that irrespective of plant and part(s) used, water was the main medium for all medicinal preparations. Treatment regimes generally included drinking the aqueous preparation until symptoms disappear. Although the anti-malarial efficacy of the plants described in this paper is not known with certainty, this survey adds to the efforts of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the search for natural antimalarials and provides a basis for future research on these plants.