HindawiPublishingCorporation ISRNBotany Volume2013,ArticleID829424,11pages http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/829424 Research Article Ethnobotanical Studies of Port Harcourt Metropolis, Nigeria A.B.Nwauzoma1,2andMagdaleneS.Dappa1 1DepartmentofApplied&EnvironmentalBiology,RiversStateUniversityofScience&Technology,PMB5080, PortHarcourt500001,Nigeria 2EmbrapaAgroenergia-PQEB-FinalW3Norte,AsaNorte,7077091Brasilia,DF,Brazil CorrespondenceshouldbeaddressedtoA.B.Nwauzoma;[email protected] Received25April2013;Accepted26May2013 AcademicEditors:F.A.Culianez-Macia,G.T.Maatooq,andT.L.Weir Copyright©2013A.B.NwauzomaandM.S.Dappa. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons AttributionLicense,whichpermitsunrestricteduse,distribution,andreproductioninanymedium,providedtheoriginalworkis properlycited. TheobjectiveofthisstudywastoshowthedifferentwaysmedicinalherbsareusedbytheindigenouspeopleinPortHarcourt ∘ 󸀠 ∘ 󸀠 metropolis (07 3 E, 04 51 N) in the Niger Delta region, Nigeria. One hundred and fifty structured questionnaires were administered,includingoralinterviewstoherbalpractitionersanduserslocatedatdifferentpartsofthecity.Also,threepopularly knownherbalcompanies—Emiolanaturalistcare,Yem-Keminternationalherbalcenter,andAbiolamedicalherbalcenter—were includedastheyarehealthcareproviders,especiallythemediumincomegroup.Theresultsshowedthatatotalof83plantspecies wererecordedandclassifiedaccordingtotheirfamily,botanical,common,andlocalnames.Also,theplantpartused,modeof preparation,andtypeofailmentcuredwereincluded.Themostfrequentlyusedplantpartswereleavesfollowedbybarks,roots, andfruitsandwithmalariafeverasthemosttreatedailment.Deforestation,agriculturalexpansion,andfirewerenotedasthe mostimportantfactorsthreateningtheavailabilityoftheseplants.Theauthorsareoftheopinionthatpayingspecialattention tothemedicinalplantsfoundintheareathroughconservationmayhelptoamplifytheirroleinthehealthcaresystem,poverty alleviation,andenvironmentalprotection. 1.Introduction to herbal medicine because of its affordability, accessibility, andacceptability.Thetreatmentandcontrolofdiseasesbythe Herbal or traditional medicine has been a major aspect of useofavailablemedicinalplantsinalocalitywillcontinueto the sociocultural heritage in Africa for hundreds of years playsignificantrolesinmedicalhealthcareimplementation even before the advent of conventional medicine. It was inthedevelopingcountriesoftheworld[5].Theobjectiveof once believed to be primitive and wrongly challenged by this survey was to document the herbal plants used by the foreign religions dating back during the colonial rule in peopleinPortHarcourtmetropolis,thepartused,howthey Africa and subsequently by the conventional or orthodox are used, and the type of ailment they cure. Also, the need medicalpractitioners[1].Plant-derivedmedicineshavebeen fortheintegrationofherbalmedicineintotheformalhealth partoftraditionalhealthcareinmostpartsoftheworldfor caresystem,complementaryrelationshipamongsthealthcare thousands of years and there is increasing interest in them practitionersanddeliveryofhealthservices,especiallytothe as sources in the treatment of diseases [2–4]. The majority lowincomegroupinbothruralandurbanareasisdiscussed. of people in developing countries depend on herbalists for their medical care. This is so in Port Harcourt metropolis, which is the hub of oil and gas activities in the Niger 2.MaterialsandMethod Delta region of Nigeria. The city comprises of people from different social and economic strata, ranging from the oil 2.1. Study Area and Data Collection. Port Harcourt, the companyexecutivetothewatervendor.Allthesecategories capital of the oil rich Rivers State (Figure1), is located in ∘ 󸀠 ∘ 󸀠 ofpeopleseekmedicalcareandothersocialservicesinthe Southeastern Nigeria (07 3 E, 04 51 N, and 10m altitude city.Therefore,mostofthepeopleespeciallythepoorresort above sea level) in the humid forest zone of the Niger 2 ISRNBotany 3.Results Table1 shows the individual plant species, their botanical, common,andlocal(Yoruba,Igbo,andHausa)namesaswell astheirfamilies,theuseofeachplant,andwhichpart(s)of theplantthatisbeingused.Ourstudyshowsthattheplants have different ethnomedical applications by the people as antiseptic,laxatives,purgative,anticonvulsant,expectorants, anthelmintic, and sedatives in the treatment of malaria, rheumatism,diarrhea,infertility,jaundice,dysentery,gonor- rhea, fever, pains, respiratory problem and poultice, and so forth. 3.1.Ailment,ModeofPreparationDosage,andAdministration ofSomeoftheCommonHerbs 3.1.1. Skin Diseases, Malaria Fever, Anaemia, Diabetes, and Bronchitis. Fresh leaves and bark of Mangifera indica are boiledtogetherwiththeleavesofPapayaandneem.Aglassful Figure 1: Map of Rivers State (Nigeria) showing Port Harcourt ofthemixtureistakenthricedailytotreatfever,anaemia,and metropolis. diabetes. It is also used for bathing early in the morning to treatmalarialfever. 3.1.2.StomachAche,SkinInfection,Diabetes,LossofMemory, andProstateCancer. ThetenderpartofthestemofVernonia amygdalina is used as chewing stick and the bitter water is swallowed daily as remedy for stomach ache. Alternatively, Delta region, Nigeria. It is densely populated and home to freshleavesarepoundedinamortarandthejuiceispressed multinational oil and gas companies and as such witnesses out, and a pinch of salt is added to 3 tablespoons of the theinfluxofpeopleinsearchofbetterliving.Thispopulation undiluted juice and taken as a drink 3 times daily to bring increase often stretches public facilities, including hospitals immediaterelieftostomachache.Forskininfectionsuchas (which are few) leading to alternative sources like herbal ringworm, itching, rashes, and eczema, the pure undiluted medicine.Thismakestheethnobotanicalstudiesofthearea extractofbitterleafisappliedtotheaffectedpartdaily.For very imperative. Therefore, a structured questionnaire was diabetes,10handfulsofthefreshleavesaresqueezedinto10 administeredtodifferentherbalmedicinedealersandusers litersofwater;aglassfulistaken4timesdailyfor1monthto of herbal medicine located at different points in the city— reducesugarleveldrasticallyanditalsorepairsthepancreas. mile1market,mile3market,flyoverarea,andthreepopularly Inthecaseofmemoryloss,take1glasstwicedailyforatleast knownherbalcompanies:Emiolanaturalistcare,Yem-Kem 2months,whileapplicationofthesolutionsoothesinflamed internationalherbalcenter,andAbiolamedicalherbalcenter, jointsarthritisanderadicatespains. allsituatedinPortHarcourtmetropolis.Theherbalcompa- niesselectedinthisstudyhavebeeninpracticeformanyyears 3.1.3.MalariaFever,Diabetes,StomachUlcer,andConvulsion. inthemetropolisandserveashealthcareproviderstomany The leaves of Papaya are squeezed into one liter of water peopleinthecityandpartnerwithgovernmentduringtrade and a glassful istaken 3 times daily for 7 days to serve as a fairexhibitions.Theydidnotsponsorthisworkresearchor goodtreatmentformalariafeverandjaundice.Similarly,the influencethereport. greenleavesaresqueezedinto1literofwater;oneglassfulis The data in this study were derived from the question- takenthreetimesdailytotreatdiabetesandconstipation.For naires that were administered and oral interviews granted intestinalulcer,unripePapayafruitiscutintopiecesandthe by the individual herbal dealers and the companies. The peelandseedsareremovedandsoakedinfivelitersofwater respondentswerebothmenandwomenfromages40years for4days.Itissievedand1/2glassistaken3timesdailyfor andabove,representingtheagegroupwithgoodknowledge twoweeks.ThewhitemilkysapofunripePapayacontainsa of herbal remedies. The indigenous plants collected during highpercentageofpapainwhichisusedforchronicwounds the oral interviews were identified with the aid of floras of orulcers.ThedryfallenPapayaleavesarewashedandground the area using [6, 7] and authenticated by Dr. B. O Green into powder. Two tablespoonfuls of the ground powder are (Taxonomist), Department of Applied and Environmental addedinto1/2glassofpalmkerneloil,stirredproperly,and Biology, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, rubbedoverthebodytoarresthighfeverandconvulsion. Port Harcourt, Nigeria, where the specimen vouchers were deposited. Ethnomedical confirmations were carried out using[8]andatotalof150questionnaireswereadministered 3.1.4. Anaemia, Intestinal Ulcer, and Heart Problem. The andatotalof83plantsspecieswereidentifiedinthestudy. driedpeelsofMusaparadisiacaaregroundintopowder;one ISRNBotany 3 Part(s)used corm Tuber,stem LeavesLeaf,FlowerFruit Leaf Fruit Wholeplant FruitFruit Leaves Twigs,stembark,fruits,peel Leaves Gum,bark Leaf LeafFruit Bark,Fruit Leaf,bark Tuber,leaves Use(s) Detoxifyliver,bronchitis Caries,dysmenorrhoea,urinarydisordersDysentery Gonorrhea Vegetable,bloodpurifier Delicacy,antinausea Venerealdiseases,skininfections,earacheVegetable,VitaminCDelicacy,seasoning Antibiotic,carminative Dysentery,fever,headache,antimicrobialagent,anthelmintics,toothache,antiscorbutic Fever Dysentery,diarrhoea,toothache,urinaryinfection,astringent,toothache Vegetable MalariaInfertility Cough MalariaAnaemia,wounds,rheumatism,poisonantidote o city,Nigeria. Hausa Ata-ile Daddor AkeseMolanganrsn/akbolobolo Lalo Agwaliba Ewe-oju TomatiTatashi Lmu — Ozabwa,Maje Alenyruw-a —Isada Kanju Mango Gwamba rt u o ciesinPortHarc LocalnamesIbo Chita — Yanka-dafi Ariraa/ulogburu Agbalumo TomatoOse Nch-anwu Or-oma Eze-ogu Kadaura, Nte-oka/inene Nch-anwuNgu-lung-wu Sas-hu Ede e p s nt ecommonpla Yoruba Jinga Ogbakiiki Odo Ewedu Odara/udala TomatiAtaweweEfinrinwewe Osan Oruwo Iya, Gbure Koriko-obaIyeye Kaju Mongoraoko,kokof-un,kokoibile, m K o s of y n e1:Ethnobota Familyname Zingiberaceae Vitaceae Malvaceae Tilaceae Titiaceae Sapotaceae Cucurbitaceae SolanaceaeSolanaceae Lamiaceae Rutaceae Rubiaceae Leguminosae Portulacaceae PoaceaeAnacardiaceae Anacardiaceae Anacardiaceae Araceae l b a T BotanicalnameZingiberofficinale(Rose)Cissusquadrangularis(L.)HibiscusacetosellaTriumfettarhomboidea(Jacaq.) Corchorusolitorius Chrysophyllumalbidum(G.Don) Cocciniabarteri SolanumlycopersicumCapsicumannuumL. Thymusvulgaris Citrussinensis(Linn.) Morindalucida(Benth.) Danielliaoliveri Talinumtriangulare(Willd.)CymbopogoncitratusSpondiasmombinL.AnacardiumoccidentaleL.MangiferaindicaLColocasiaesculentum(L.)Schott Commonname Ginger Edible-stemmedvine Hibiscus Chinesepur/Burweed Bushokra/Jewfibertelteria/JewsMallow Africanstarapple Fruitedgourd TomatoesPepper,Chili Curryleaf Orange,Sweet Brimstonetree Africancopaiba,balsamree,niger-opal,maaje Waterleaf LemongrassHogplum Cashewnut Mango Cocoyam,Wildtaro t o. n S/ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 89 10 11 12 13 14 1516 17 18 19 4 ISRNBotany Part(s)used Leaf Leaf Wholeplant,leaves,root Leaves,stem-twigs Nut Fruit,leaves,stem,twigs Stem-twig,leaves,roots Leaves,roots,leafsap Bark,leaves,root Leaves Unripefruit n Use(s) Measles Pile,lowersugar,vegetable Wounds,ulcers,craw-craw,digestivedisturbance,diarrhoea,emetic,skindiseases,antipyretic,gonorrhoea,sleepingsickness,eyewashAntimicrobial,dysentery,headache,malariafever,toothache,haemostatic,skindiseasesThewaterneutralizespoison/drugInsectrepellant,fever,cough,toothache,stimulantSyphilis,cough,emetic,urethraldischarge,purgative,boils,anaemia,anthelminticsCough,diarrhoea,dysentery,wounds,fever,sedatives,diuretic,absc-esses,antifungal,epilepsy,antimicrobial,anticancerRoundworms,elephantiasis,dysentery,malaria,convulsions,migraine,cough,yellowfever,stomachache,hernia,infertility,earache Asthma Antihypertensionconstipatio Hausa Tumifafiya Shiwaka Ahenhen Obiarakara Mosara — Abomoda Aduruku Aduruku — u d. LocalnamesIbo nu-gbu,olug-b ulaujula, Awo-lowo, Aku-beke Nmi-mi Nyin-yiog-wu — Ogirisi Ogili-si,ogirisi Nkw-aba e O u n nti Table1:Co Yoruba Bom-ubomu Ewuro Imi-esu Akintola Agbon Igbere, Ahon-ekun,runmuarugbo, Eru-odundun, Akoko Akoko Opeoyinbo i Familyname Asclepeceae Asteraceae Compositae Compositae Arecaceae Annonaceae Acanthaceae Crassulaceae Bignoniaceae Bignoniaceae Bromeliaceae Botanicalname Calotropisprocera Vernoniaamygdalina(Del.) AgeratumconyzoidesL. Chromolaenaodorata(Linn.) Cocosnucifera Dennettiatripetala Acanthusmontanus Bryophyllumpinnatum Newbouldialaevis Spathodeacampanulata(P.Beauv.)Ananascomosus CommonnameGiantmilkweed/sodomapple Bitterleaf Goatweed,flossflower Siamweed Coconut Pepperfruit alsethistle,leopard’songueBear’sbreech,white’sginger, Resurrectionplant,lifeplant Fertilitytree,treeoflife Africantulip Pineapple Ft o. n S/ 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 ISRNBotany 5 Part(s)used Wholeplant Wholeplant,seeds,fruitroot Leaf Fruit LatexfruitLeaves,fruit,bark,twigs Tubers Seed,leaves,stem,roots,sap Root Fruit Seeds Fruits Seed Bulb Use(s) Convulsions,cancer,worms,rectalenema,mouth-washDiabetes,piles,convulsions,jaundice,sore,nervousdisorders,diabeticrecipe,emetic,nightblindness,aphrodisiac,dysmenorrhoea,anthelmintic,antimicrobials Antianaemic,bloodtonic Laxativedigestion Boil,purgativeFever,coughs,bronchitis,toothache,astringent,diuretic Antidiarrhea Ringworm,eczema,scabies,fever,guineaworms,herpes,rectalenema,blacktongue,whitlow,impotence,irregularmenses,convulsion,smallpoxFever,headache,mentaldisorder,aphrodisiac,cough. Aphrodisiac LaxativeReligiouspurpose,mystic,soupwithokra-liketaste Condiment AntibioticantidiabeticAnti-hypertension ma mi Ol Hausa alkashinkora Kakayi Egbsi/guna Gwanda Tsamiyarkur Doya palapa,Zugu, ewonekiri Hawuusa Mamujigoro Tafarunua K a l o d. LocalnamesIbo Ogb-eria-kuko Alo-ose Ugu Elili/egwusi Okworo-gbogb Icheku, Ji-ocha Olulu-idu Ukpa Ogb-ono Ayo-ishi e u n Table1:Conti Yorubaogo-igun,Apari-Igun, Ejinrinw Egunsi Ibepe Awin, Akoisu Botuje, Eka-nawodi Awusa,asal Ewa a-oko,lakolako Oromopa Aayu Ag Il Familyname Boraginaceae Cucurbitaceae Cucurbitaceae Cucurbitaceae Caricaceae Leguminosae Dioscoreaceaedanzaria Euphorbiaceae Capparaceae Euophorbiaceae Leguminosae Tiliaceae Irvingiaceae Alliaceae BotanicalnameHeliotropiumindicumL MomordicacharantiaL. TelfariaoccidentalisHook.F.Citrulluscolocynthis(L.)Caricapapaya(Linn.)Dialiumguineense(Wild)Dioscoreaecayennensis JatrophacurcasL. Capparisthonningii TetracarpidiumconophorumGlycinemax Grewiasp Irvingiagabonensis AlliumsativumL. CommonnameCock’scomb,Heliotrope Africancucumber,bittergourd,balsampear Flutedpumpkin Colocynth,wildgourd.PawpawVelvet,blacktamarid,tumbletree Whiteyam Physicnut Caperbush AfricanWalnut Soyabean African/Native/Bushmango Garlic o. n S/ 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 6 ISRNBotany Part(s)usedBulb Leaves LeafLeaf,bark Leaves,roots,stembark,fruit Fruit UnripefruitLeaf Nuts LeafLatex Leaves,youngshoots Leaves,root LeafRootLeafFruitLeaf Stemlatex Use(s) AntidiabeticRingworm,anthelmintics,aphrodisiac,amenorrhoea,cough,skininfections,astringent,antitumour,pile,fruitsforpreventingsnakebiteStomachache Boils,antimalaria Inflammatorydiseases,asthma,antipyretic,cough,earache,liverandpancreasdiseases,venerealdiseases,anthelmintic,hysteria,diarrhoea,diureticdiseasesAntihypertensionstomachulcerPotentastringenthighironMalariaOilassolvent,antimicrobials,insomniaCoughDecorationGonorrhoea,abortifacient,anthelmintics,emmenagogue,skinrashesofHIV/AIDSCough,bronchialasthma,aphrodisiacMalaria Ratpoison,vegetable StimulantRelaxingnervesRingworm,ascaris,antitumour,malaria,dysentery,dysmenorrhoea r a HausaYabasi Dadoya Maina ale,Bagaaruwmakka Okamu/ayaba Gwaabaa Gedda Damarzaya Ekusi-Oloko Alenyruwa Barkono g o z a d. LocalnamesIboAlu-bosa Aloe Nchanwu Og-wuakom Okweoyeibe, Ube-beke Abrika/Okirim Gova AnyannunuUri Atosi Ncheawula Nte-oka/inene Ose/totashiSawamsop Akembogho e u n Table1:Conti YorubaAlubosa Efinrinnla Dongoyaro Ewe-ile,Eweigbale, Igba/apoka OgedeagagbaGurofa Egpa werejeje/ojuologbo Oparun Ogiri-egba, Koriko-oba Gbure Atawewe Botujepupa,Binidizugu I FamilynameAlliaceae Liliaceae Lamiaceae Meliaceae Moringaceae Lauraceae Musaceae Myrtaceae Fabaceae PapilionaceaeSterculiaceae Poaceae Sapindaceae Poaceae Portulacaceae SolanaceaeAnnonaceae Euphorbiaceae BotanicalnameAlliumcepaAlabasa Aloebarteri Ocimumgratissimum Neemtree Horseradishtree,Moringatree,“NeverDie,”drumsticktree Avocadopear MusaparadisiacaL. PsidiumguajavaL Arachishypogaea AbrusprecatoriusBaphianitida BambusavulgarisL. Deinbolliapinnata Cymbopogoncitratus Talinumtriangulare CapsicumannuumL.Annonamuricata Jatrophagossypifolia CommonnameOnion Aloe,WestAfricanaloe Scentleaf,mintAzadirachtaindica(A.Juss.) MoringaoleiferaLam. Perseaamericana(Mill) Plantain Guava Groundnut,peanut Crab’seyeCamwood Bamboo Waterwillow Lemongrass Waterleaf Pepper,chiliSoursop, WildCassava o. n S/ 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 5354 55 56 57 58 5960 61 ISRNBotany 7 Part(s)usedLeaves,stem,twigs Leaves,fruitpulp,bark Wholeplant Wholeplant Leaves Leaves,twigs Leaves,flowers,bark Leaves Seeds,roots Hairsonthepods Stemtwigs Root,bark,leaves,fruit Roots,bark Bark Use(s) Abortifacient,detergent Malaria,asthma,diarrhoea,kidneyandbladderdiseases,demulcent,prophylactic,antihistaminic,skindiseases,caries,antimicrobialRheumatism,asthma,dropsy.Ulcers,wounds,snakebite,diuretic,purgative,anthelmintic,sorethroat,kidneyandbladderstonesSyphilis,asthma,anthelmintics,ulcers,rheumatism,antimicrobialandantifungalSkininfection,AntimicrobialsSpermatorrhoea,jaundice,gonorrhoea,leucorrhoea,ulcers,menorrhagia,astringent,skindiseases,malaria Yaws,fracturemanagement Haemorrhoids,diuretics,micturitionproblemsinchildren,skindiseasesIntestinalworms,genitourinarydiseases.Anthelmintics,antimicrobials,antifungalFever,jaundice,asthma,dysentery,colic,emmenagogue,vermifuge,constipationFever,cough,respiratoryailment,anthelmintic,ophthalmiaDysentery,leprosy,antipyretic,diuretic,gonorrhoea Hausa kukaa,kulambali Alhaji,Furfurata,fatumi kandiri Lallee Yamurin,Nonanbarya Kakara,osese Abbala,Kakara sulunwahi. Tuburku,Ajukwu Giyeya d. LocalnamesIbo Ofun Igiose, Eweowo, Laali. yerepewerepe Werepe omonigelegele, Oju-Ologbo okeokpa Okobo, e u n Table1:Conti Yoruba Ogbun, Ose, wogba,Tanpopo Aje,Efunile Jinwinini, Jinwinini Lali, Yanrin, Ewe-ina, Esisi, Omoniginigini Ito, e At Familyname Avicenniaceae Bombacaceae Convolvulaceae Amaranthaceae Euphorbiaceae Euphorbiaceae Lythraceae Compositae Leguminosae Leguminosae Lauraceae Rubiaceae Leguminosae Rubiaceae Botanicalname Avicenniaafricana Adansoniadigitata Ipomoeamauritiana Aervalanata Acalyphafimbriata Acalyphagodseffiana Lawsoniainermis Launaeataraxacifolia Mucunasloanei Mucunapruriens Cassythafiliformis Morindamorindoides Millettiathonningii Mitragynainermis h c Commonname BlackMangrove Baobab Morningglory Bhadram,cherula Acalypha Acalypha Hennaplant Wildlettuce Stingingbean Cow-hage,cow-itcplant,velvetbeanDevil’sgut,parasitivine Morinda Millet AfricanLinden o. n S/ 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 8 ISRNBotany Part(s)used Leaves Stembark,seeds Seed Leaves Wholeplant Root,seeds,juiceofpods,leaves Seeds,fruits Leaves,bark,seeds,flower Use(s) Guineawormspiles,kidneydisease,fistula,boilsAntipyretic,astringent,mouthwash,stomachic Antibiotic,antiseptic Antiscorbutic,purgative Boils,fever,gonorrhoea,jaundice,heart-trouble,insecticide Fever,cirrhosis,liverlesions,dysentery,colic,vermifuge Tapeworm,diuretic,taenicide,otitis,utensilsDiuretic,anthelmintics,astringent,leucorrhoea Hausa Patanmo, Emido sese-nla Mannafaa,sanyantan, Abilere,Oyigi saworo,Yara, Kabeewaa ayin. d. LocalnamesIbo Uku Ponpondo, Ajemawofo, Akidimuo Apala, seke, e u n nti n, Co nta Table1: Yoruba aluro gbosanya Koropo Elegede, Seke u r a M Familyname mosaceae potaceae uminosae ranthaceae mpositae uminosae urbitaceae uminosae Mi Sa eg ma Co eg uc eg L A L C L s Botanicalname Mimosapudica Mimusopskummel anavaliaensiformi Celosialaxa Chrysanthellumindicum Crotalariaretusa Cucurbitamaxima Delonixregia C a Commonname Sensitiveplant Bulletwood Swordbean,horsebean Celosia Indianchrysanthemum Rattlebox,rattlepe Melon-pumpkin Flameoftheforest o. n S/ 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 ISRNBotany 9 tablespoonofthepowderismixedwithfourtablespoonsof infections. Decoction of leaves is used as an eye wash in honeyandlickedthreetimesdailyfortwoweeksforintestinal conjunctivitis. Boiled leaves extract is used to treat general ulcer. Some quantity of the root and fresh leaves are boiled malaria. separately; 1/2 and a full glass is drank daily for 1 week to intestinal ulcer and anaemia, respectively. Eating of unripe 3.1.11.TyphoidFever,MenstrualFlow,HealthySkin,Purgative, fruiteitherroasted,boiled,pounded,orprocessedintoflour Diuretic, Anthelmintic, Expectorant, and Abortifacient. The isagoodtreatmentfordiabetes. fruitofAnanascomosusiscut,cooked,anddrankfortyphoid fever. The unripe fruit can be used as a purgative, diuretic, 3.1.5. Cough, Malaria Fever, and Repellant. Decoction from antihelmintic, expectorant, and abortifacient and is also leavesofCymbopogoncitratewithonionandhoneyisusedto taken to regulate and enhance menstrual flow. Fruit peel curecough,taken3timesdailyfor3days.Theleafisboiled is used topically for healthy skin. The ripped fruit is taken alongwithotherherbstotreatmalariafeverbybathingwith regularlytorecoverfromtyphoidfever. iteverynightfor2days.Theleafisburntinhomestoserve asrepellantformosquitoes. 3.1.12. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Stomach Troubles, Purgative, and Fungal Infection. Fruits of Citrullus colocyn- 3.1.6.FeverandLactation. Thebark,root,andleafofMorinda thisarerecommendedforthetreatmentofstomachtroubles lucidaareusedininfusionordecoctionforthetreatmentof andsexuallytransmitteddiseases.Fruitandleafdecoctionis yellowfeverandotherformsoffevertobetaken1/2glass,2 usedasapurgativeinmanandanimal.Seedshellpowdered timesdaily,andalsobathing,for3days.Theverybitterleaf and mixed with palm oil is rubbed on skin to treat fungal decoction is applied to the breast of women at weaning of infections. theirinfantstoimprovelactation.Twigsareusedaschewing stick. 3.1.13.Ringworm,Scabies,Eczema,SexuallyTransmittedDis- eases,ThrushBleeding,Wounds,Toothache,andSkinDisease. 3.1.7.Malaria,Diabetes,Dysentery,MouthThrush,Toothache, ThelatexofJatrophacurcasisusedtotreatskindiseasesuch andSoreGums. ThetwigofAnacardiumoccidentaleisused asringworm,scabies,andeczema.Twigsareusedaschewing as chewing stick for mouth thrush, tooth ache, and sore sticktopreventtoothdecay,oralthrush,bleeding,wounds, gum.Decoctionofthebarkisaremedyformalariafever,by andtoothache.Rootsareusedtotreatsexuallytransmitted drinking1/2glass3timesdaily.Thebarkandleavesareboiled, diseases.Leavesareaddedtohastenfermentationofcassava. andaglassistakentwicedailyfordysentery. Decoctionofleavesisusedtosterilizeumbilicusofnewborn babies. 3.1.8. Fibroids, Cataract, Gonorrhea, Aphrodisiac, Cough, Inflammatory Symptoms, Toothache, and Sore Throat. Seed 3.1.14.FibroidImprovesSpermCount,Fertility,andMenstrual ofSpondiasmombinisboiledtogetherwithimmaturepalm- Flow. Seed of Tetracarpidium conophorum is used in the nuts and 1/2 glass is taken thrice daily for 2 months for treatmentoffibroid.Boiledseedsareeatentoimprovesperm fibroid. Fresh leaves are ground and the juice is squeezed countinmen.Leafjuiceisusedtoimprovefertilityinwomen andmixedwithoneteaspoonfuloflimejuiceandappliedas andtoregulatemenstrualflow. eyedroptwicedailyforcataract.Freshleavesareboiledand oneglassfulisdrankthricedailyforgonorrhea.Decoctionof 3.1.15.AsFood. LeavesofTelfairiaoccidentalisareofhighly leavesisusedasanaphrodisiac.Decoctionofthebarkistaken nutritive value as vegetable for soup and other local dishes. forseverecough,toothache,andsorethroat. Leavesarewashedandthejuicesqueezeismixedwithmilk and taken as a blood tonic. The boiled seeds are eaten as 3.1.9. Abdominal Pains, Ulcers, Skin Disease, Dressing of delicacyandsourceofoil.Someoftheplantsareusedasherbs Wound, and Prophylactic. Decoction of the whole plant of foodandotheruses. Ageratum conyzoides is a remedy for abdominal pains. Leaf The knowledge of the indigenous people about contra- juice is used for dressing wounds, ulcers, and other skin ceptives was one of the informal innovative discoveries in diseases. Leaves are used as tonic to aid fertility, because it this work. In this context, Ageratum conyzoides, Tetracar- preventsearlymiscarriage.Itisalsousedasprophylacticand pidiumconophorum,Rhaphiostylisbeninensis,Lonchocarpus curefortrachomaincattle. cyanescens, carpolobia alba, and Chrysophyllum albidum are used to invoke sterility, while Moranthodoa leucantha 3.1.10.ThreatenedAbortion,Convulsion,Epilepsy,SkinInfec- increasessexualvigorandMucunasoloaneiandSennaocci- tions,Conjunctivitis,Migraine,andEarache. Amediumsize- dentalisareusedbyindigenousladiesascontraceptives.Few pot is filled with the fresh bark of Newbouldia laevis and plantspeciesknowntobe“poisonous,”forexample,Ricinus boiledwaterforalongtime.Thepreparationisthenusedto communis and Scleria verrucosa were reported to be very washfaceandheadeverymorningandnight;oraltakingof potent. We also observed that some tuberous plant species 1/2glassofpreparationtwicedailyfor6dayscuresmigraine likeColocasiaesculentaandDioscorearotundataandJatropha andalsostopsvaginalbleedinginthreatenedabortion.Leaves gossypifolia and Musa paradisiaca are used to cure sexually and roots are boiled together and administered for fever, transmitted diseases, to regularize menstruation, and to convulsion,andepilepsy.Stembarkisusedfortreatingskin increasefertility.Wefurtherdiscoveredthatthoseplantswith 10 ISRNBotany high nutritive value like Colocasia esculenta, Basella alba, plants.Thepracticeisfastdevelopingduetopooreconomic Telfairiaoccidentalis,Glycinesoja,Gnetumafricana,Arachis situation,expensiveness,andinadequateavailabilityofdrugs. hypogea,andSolanumlycopersicumarecultivatedmainlyfor Reference [13] stated that the use of plants and products in commercial purposes, as they are sold in nearby markets. health care is, even much higher particularly in those areas OtherslikeHibiscussenensis,MoringaoleiferaandSidaacuta with little or no access to modern health services. These in addition to food and medicinal values, have become medicinal plants have been underutilized in the orthodox beautifulornamentalplants.Dracaenaarborea,Anacardium medicine but have now been recognizedin ethnomedicinal occidentale, Basella alba, Spathodea campanulata, Allium preparation. sativum, Mucuna sloanei, Ocimum basilicum, Sida acuta, Genderandageinfluencedthetraditionalknowledgeof Laportea aestuans, and Trema orientalis are used to treat our respondents. Males within 45–70 years have medicinal constipation, indigestion, abdominal pain, and dysentery. knowledge than females. This may be due to their involve- Our result also shows that the people use Xanthosoma spp, ment in trade or personal experience of using these plants Calotropis procera, Vernonia amygdalina, Ageratum cony- for a very long time. In addition, the younger generation zoides, Chromolaena odorata, Newbouldia laevis, Spathodea doesnotseemtohavemuchtrustinthetraditionalmedicine campanulata,andAdenopusbreviflorusforskindiseaseslike system which may be attributed to increasing use of allelo- wound, tumor, boils, burns, and cuts. Dioscorea rotundata, pathicmedicineswhicharereadilyavailableandpotent.Our Jatrophacurcas,Ricinuscommunis,Irvingiagabonensis,Aloe findingsalsoshowthattheindigenouspeoplevaluesomeof barteri,Ocimumbasilicum,Azadirachtaindica,Baphianitida, theseherbsformedicinalpurposesthanasfoodcondiments. Mitracarpusscabrum,Glyphaeabrevis,andTremaorientalis For instance garlic is more useful in treating fever, cough, arealsousedfortheabovepurposes. constipation,asthma,nervousdisorder,hypertension,ulcer, Respiratorydisorderslikecough,cold,tuberculosis,and andantihelmenticthaninmereseasoningoffood.Thesame asthmaarecuredusingsingleherbormixtureofherbslike appliestoonion,curryleaf,ginger,andscentleaf. Calotropisprocera,Dennettiatripetala,Caricapapaya,Allium Traditional medicinal practices are known to still be an sativum, Cymbopogon citratus, Chrysophyllum albidum, and importantcomponentofeverydaylifeinmanyregionsofthe Zingiber officinale. Our study shows that most herbs are world[14–16].Theuseofplantsinhealthcareisevenmuch knowntocuremalariaandtyphoidfeverwhichareendemic higherparticularlyinareaswithlittleornoaccesstomodern inPortHarcourtmetropolis:Anacardiumspondias,Dennettia health services [13]. Reference [1] gave a comprehensive tripetala, Ananas comosus, Adenopus breviflorus, Ipomea treatise on the need to institutionalize traditional medicine involucrate, Carica papaya, Securinega virosa, Hyptis pecti- into the health scheme according to WHO guidelines [17]. nata,Sidaacuta,Azarachtaindica,Psidiumguajava,Bambusa Mostoftheplantswereusedtotreatmalariafever,underlying vulgaris,Cymbopogoncitratus,MorindalucidaCitrussinensis, theimportanceofthisdiseaseintheregion. Murrayakoenigii,CapsicumannumChrysophyllumalbidum, Conservation of indigenous plant species of medicinal Glyphaeabrevis,Corchorusolitorius,andTremaorientalis. importance is necessary as they remain source of health and wealth. There is need for closer collaboration between herbal medical practitioners, medical doctors, and other 4.Discussion stakeholdersinmedicalpracticetobringtraditionalhealers closer by engaging them in laboratory work, training as This is the first ethnobotanical study of Port Harcourt well as getting information on traditional prescriptions for metropolis in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Our study specific diseases. Both traditional and orthodox medicines shows that the 83 plant species identified were useful as should complement each other, and their integration or food and in the treatment of different human ailments, harmonization is necessary for quality healthcare delivery, showing that traditional medical practice is an important especiallyintheruralcommunities.TheethnobotanyofPort componentofoureverydaylife.Ourfindingsaresimilarto Harcourt metropolis has been documented. Various plants [9]. Reference [1] suggested the need to institutionalize the have dual significance first as food, secondly as medicinal traditional medicine in concert with orthodox medicine to plants and can have some active constituents for future achieve an effective national health care system in Nigeria. pharmaceuticalanalysis. The authors maintained that an effective health cannot be achievedinAfricabyorthodoxmedicinealoneunlessithas ConflictofInterests beencomplementedwithtraditionalmedicine,insupportof [10]. Thereisnoconflictofinterests,astheinformationthereinis The questionnaire and interviews gathered indicate purelyforresearchpurposes.Theauthorsdonotsupportself- that most people in the Metropolis depend on traditional medicationandfurthersuggestgettingadvicefrommedical medicine for their health needs because of their poor eco- practitionersbeforetakinganyoftheseherbs. nomic conditions. This is one of the major reasons why traditional medicine has continued to thrive in both rural and urban areas in Nigeria. The utilization of medicinal Acknowledgments plants in traditional medicine was found to be effective, cheap, and practical. References [11, 12] noted the growing The authors are grateful to the local informants and herbal interestonthemedicinalpropertiesofanumberofcommon healerswhosharedtheirknowledgewiththem.