An Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal Plants Used for the Treatment of Typhoid Fever in Minna, Niger State

Abstract

An ethnobotanical survey was conducted from December 2011 to April 2012 in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria. The survey was aimed at identifying and documenting medicinal plants used for the treatment of typhoid fever in 6 communities in Minna, Niger State. Ethnobotanical data were collected with the aid of a tape recorder and supported with a semi-structured questionnaire during the interview interactive session with the Traditional medical practitioners. The data obtained were further analyzed, collated and tabulated to give the botanical names, common names, local names, families and the parts of the plants used. The survey revealed a total of 49 plants species belonging to 31 families. The plants habit and habitat of collection showed that 63.34% of the medicinal plant species grow up to the height of a tree and are mostly found in the wild (53.57%). The survey also revealed that the leaves were the major parts used for herbal preparation. The main methods of preparation are decoction and infusion. The present study has established a data bank for some medicinal plants that are used in the management of typhoid fever in Minna Niger State, Nigeria.