Pakistan Journal of Nutrition 6 (5): 490-496, 2007

ISSN 1680-5194
© Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2007

Medicinal Herbs Used for Managing Some Common

Ailments among Esan People of Edo State, Nigeria

R.I. Okoli1, O. Aigbe2, J.O. Ohaju-Obodo3 and J.K. Mensah4

1,3
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics,
2
Department of Medical Biochemistry, 4Department of Botany,
Ambrose Alli University, P.M.B 14, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract: Medicinal herbs used for managing some common ailments in Esanland, Edo State, Nigeria were
investigated in this study. The Esan people have a rich cultural heritage, which is reflected in the well-
developed herbal medicine used to cure and manage various disease conditions. Herbal medicine offered
remedies to common ailments ranging from common cold to complex pathological disorders including
those relating to the respiratory, circulatory and genito-urinary systems. Seventy herbal plants used in 115
different methods or preparation were identified. About 83% of the herbal preparations were given orally,
while 17% were applied topically. The aerial parts of the plants (84%) were most frequently administered in
the form of decoctions. Some of the herbs also form part of their diets and include: Talinum trangulare,
Boerhavia diffusa, Euphorbia hirta, Gongronema latifolium and Aframomum melegueta. It can be concluded
that medicinal herbs have played and will continue to play major roles in the management of common
diseases in these communities.

Key words: Medicinal herbs, common ailments, Esanland

Introduction hospitals for providing solutions to their health

All civilizations have always had traditions of using herbs problems. Only five of the communities studied have
to promote healing. Plants still remain the basis for functioning Government General Hospitals with Medical
development of modern drugs and medical plants have officer in charge while the rest make do with Primary
been used for years in daily life to treat diseases all over Health Care Centres headed by a nurse, midwife or a
the world (Ates and Erzdogrul, 2003). According to Ayitey- Matron. The rich culture of these areas is reflected in
Smith (1989), traditional medicine evolved from their well-developed herbal medicines/preparations not
environmental resources, which the people of a only as the first remedy for poor health but also in some
community adapted in desperation for survival from chronic disease conditions. The objective of the present
disease. On the African continent, traditional medical investigations is to document the uses of indigenous
practices date as far back as 4000 years. It was the sole plants for posterity, prior to their possible elimination
medical system for health care before the advent of through urbanization, social development and
orthodox or modern medicine. Even in this present deforestation. It is also hoped that the publication will
technological era, traditional medicine is still the stimulate interest for further research in medicinal plant
predominant means in the third world for the (s) and the ailments for which they are used with the
preservation of health of the rural majority who constitute purpose of developing potential drugs for some
over 70% of the total population. common diseases.
According to Gbile and Adesina (1986), the Nigerian
flora has made and would continue to make great Materials and Methods
contributions to health care of Nigerians. In fact the The information about the local names, usages, parts of
indigenous medicinal plants form an important plants used, methods of preparation and administration
component of the natural wealth and culture of Nigeria. of plants was obtained from local healers, herbalists,
The present survey was carried out in twenty-one traditional birth attendants, bone setting homes,
selected communities in Esanland, an ethnic group experienced parents and patients by filling in
located in Edo State, Nigeria. The communities studied questionnaires during personal interviews.
include: Ahia, Amahor, Amendokhian, Egoro-Naoka, Respondents were asked to bring their drugs or herbal
Eko-Ibadin, Ekpoma, Ekpon, Emu, Ewatto, Ibore, preparation they use or guided the authors to places
Obeidu, Obieromu, Ohordua, Opoji, Ubiaja, Ugbiyokho, where they are grown. In all 1106 individuals were
Ugbegun, Ukhun, Uwalor, Uromi and Udo. The interviewed and 45% of them were men while 55% were
communities are semi-urban or rural and depend on women. Information was compiled from 21 settlements
traditional medicine or the few government and private in Esanland .The reference numbers for the plants are

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Table 1: Categories of Respondents interviewed for studies (8.1%) and fruits were used occasionally. Flowers have
Categories of Respondents No % the least frequency of 0.9%. Table 4 gives the herbal
Local healer 100 9 plants used for their treatment. Gastro-intestinal disease
Herbalist 94 8.5
had the highest number of herbal plants for its treatment
Traditional birth attendant 80 7.2
Bone setting homes 90 8.1
(23), followed by treatment of infertility in women or
Experienced parents 342 30.9 gynaecological and obstetrics problems (17); the least
Patients 400 36.2 number of plants was used for the management of ear
problems (1). A summary of the characteristics of the
n = 1106 herbs, parts used and voucher numbers of the Ambrose
Alli University; Ekpoma which is located in Esanland is
Table 2: Routes of Administration of herbal preparations
presented in Table 5. The local names of the plants
Route of Administration Frequency Percentage
have been included to ease identification by herbalist
Orally 95 83
practicing in the locality and potential researchers from
Topically 19 17
Inserts or Suppository 0 0 the same environment.
Inhalation 1 0.9 The plants used in Esanland have been presented in
n = 115 alphabetical order of botanical names and other relevant
information in Table 5. In all, 70 species were
Table 3: Parts of the plant used in the herbal preparations encountered and are used in 115 different methods or
Part of plant Frequency Percentage preparations. It was recorded that 83% of the herbal
Leaf 56 51.0 preparations were used internally while 17% were
Seed 9 8.1 applied externally (topical).
Fruit 10 9.0
Root 14 12.7
Back and Steam 10 9.0 Discussion
Flower 1 0.9 About 36% of the respondents were patients undergoing
Bulb 4 3.6 treatment for various ailments at herbal homes as both
Juice/sap 1 0.9 out patients and in patients at the time of investigations
Tuber 2 1.8 (Table 1). Another major category were experienced
Whole plant 2 1.8 parents (30.9%) who had encountered the various herbs
Rhizome 1 0.9
during the period of raising their children. The high
n = 110, Aerial part = 84%, Root = 16%
proportion of patients and parents is an indication of the
popularity of herbal medicine in the communities
those used in depositing the plants at the Herbarium of studied.
the Department of Botany, Ambrose Alli University, It is apparent from Table 2 that oral route was the most
Ekpoma in Edo State (Table 5). popular method of administration since the majority of
the extracts were alcoholic or aqueous and acceptable
Results through the mouth. Topical application was low (17%)
The characteristics of respondents, types of plants used while inhalation was a rare means of administering the
as well as the common ailments for which various parts herbal preparations. The aerial parts of the plants
of herbs are used by the Esan people (an ethnic group especially the leaves were the most frequently used and
in Edo state, Nigeria) are presented in Table 1-5. Table were administered directly in the form of decoctions, and
1 gives the details of the various categories of in few cases applied externally or topically. Leaves are
respondents engaged in this investigation. A total of known to accumulate alkaloid, tannins, inulins etc. which
1106 indigenes were interviewed and of these, patients are active components of most herbal preparations in
who were undergoing treatment at various herbal high concentrations and it is these components which
homes constituted the largest percentage of 36.2% give relief to the disease condition in patients
while traditional birth attendants constituted the least (Okoegwale and Omefezi, 2001). Roots, stem bark, fruits
(7.2%). and seeds are minor source of these components and
Oral route was the most frequently used route of hence used to a lesser extent (Table 3).
administration (83%) while inhalation and inserts/use of In the communities studied, traditional medicine offered
suppositions recorded the least (6.9% and 0% remedies to some of the common ailments ranging
respectively; Table 2). from common cold to complex pathological disorders
The results of the present investigations further revealed relating to poor blood circulation, gastro-intestinal,
that aerial parts of the plants (84%) were the most respiratory, genito-urinary system, as well as infertility,
commonly used parts while roots or underground parts impotence, rheumatism and asthma. The highest
of the herbs (16%) were the least used parts (Table 3). number of herbs was associated with gastro-intestinal
The leaf was indeed the most popular plants part used disorders. This is not surprising because water
in the various herbal preparations (51%) while seed availability is a problem in Esanland which has been

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 Okoli et al.: Medicinal Herbs Used for Managing Some Common Ailments

Table 4: Diseases and Herbs used in managing specific ailments

Ailment Plants used (Serial numbers as in Table 5)
Common cold/respiratory system 1, 6, 7, 11, 16, 22, 22, 26, 27, 29, 33, 37, 40, 40,70.
Cardiovascular system 22, 34, 56, 61, 68.
Genito-urinary system 2, 6, 29, 44, 52, 61, 68.
Wound/ulcers 4, 37, 43.
Dermatitis/skin 4, 13, 18,20, 60, 28, 39, 39, 47, 49, 64.
Ear 38.
Eye 1, 21, 21, 25.
Female fertility/gynaecology and obstetrics 3, 8 15, 24, 29, 32, 37, 42, 44, 45, 47, 50, 52, 57, 58, 67.
Male fertility/sexual dysfunction 3, 30, 47, 62, 65.
G I T (gastro-intestinal system) 5, 6, 10, 12, 12, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 43, 44, 44, 46, 48, 52, 52, 54, 55.
Epilepsy 7, 8, 36, 44, 50, 51.
Dental/mouth 10, 18, 25.
Malaria 14, 14, 22, 47, 53.
Central Nervous System 17, 20.
Fractures/bone 35, 69.
Diabetes 41, 47, 66.
Miscellaneous 4, 9, 31, 52, 59, 63.

Table 5: Medicinal Plants used in Esanland of Edo State Nigeria

Species Local Parts Used Traditional Preparation and AAUBH
Name Name uses Administration No.
1. Abrus precatorius Empo Leaf For cataract Leaf extract is applied 00342
on the eyes
For asthma Leaf is chewed
2. Acacia sieberiana Alughan Leaf For urinary tract disorder Decoction is taken orally 00076
3. Aframomum Uriema / Seed For low sperm count Seed is chewed during 01124
melegueta Usiedo breakfast.
Fruit For menstrual pain The fruits with the seeds 00023
are chewed together
4. Ageratum Okhekhe Leaf For dressing wound Decoction is applied 00568
conyzoidess on wound surface
Root For rheumatism Decoction is taken orally
Leaf Skin rashes Leaf extract is applied 00021
on affected parts
5. Alchornea latiflora Obieyba Leaf For stopping vomiting The leaf is ground with 00287
pepper and taken orally
6. Allium cepa Alubasa Bulb For asthma Decoction is taken orally 00032
Bulb/leaf For kidney problem Bulb is burnt and
taken orally.
For ulcer Same as above
7. Allium sativum Nikhere Bulb For asthma Decoction is taken orally 03340
Seed For epilepsy Cloves are chewed.
(cloves)
8. Alstonia booneii Ojegbhukhun Root For epilepsy Decoction is taken orally 09003
Bark For expelling Decoction is taken orally 04402
retained placenta
9. Amaranthus spinosus Obiwhne Roots For allergy Roots are mashed, 00012
soaked in ethanol and
taken orally
10. Anacardium Ikashu Bark For dysentery Decoction is taken orally 00062
occidentale For toothache Bark is chewed.
For sore gum
11. Ananas comosus Edin-ebo Fruit For asthma Ripe fruit is eaten 009111
12. Aspillia Africana Ohawe Leaf To stop vomiting Decoction is taken orally 00009
Root To stop vomiting Leaf is chewed.
13. Alternanthera Obiewe Leaves For eczema Infusion is applied 00392
sessalis on affected parts
14. Azadirachta indica Dogoyaro Leaf Malaria Decoction is taken orally 00073
Bark Malaria Decoction is taken orally
Leaf For malaria Decoction is used to bath
Table 5 Cont.

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 Okoli et al.: Medicinal Herbs Used for Managing Some Common Ailments

15. Boerhaavia diffusa Ebe-Ukpokodo Leaf For fertility Leaf is used for making 09321
soup which is taken orally.
For menstrual pain Leaf is pounded with pepper
(Capsicum annuum), salt
is added and taken orally.
16. Bryophillum Ogbodogho Leaves For cough Leaves are passed over 00081
pinnatum the fire for a minute, fluid
produced is taken orally.
17. Caesalpina Eko-omode Leaf/bark As purgative Decoction is taken orally 00066
pulcherrima Seed For nervous ailment Seed powder is taken orally
18. Cajanus cajan Root For frequent stooling Root is ground and 00099
taken orally
Olene Leaf For toothache Leaf extract is used as
For chicken pox mouth wash Decoction
is taken orally
19. Calotropis procera Tofiafia Leaf For stomach pain Leaf extract is taken orally 00451
20. Cannabis sativa Itabe-elimin Leaf For dandruff Leaf extract is applied 01243
on the scalp
Leaf As stimulant Prepared along with food
such as beans and porridge
21. Capsicum frutescens Asin Leaf For eye pain The extract of the leaf is 000154
applied on the eye
Seed For eye pain Seed is ground and
taken orally
22. Carica papaya Dry leaf For asthma The smoke of burnt leaf 03457
is inhaled
Seed For tuberculosis Seed is chewed
Okodu Unripe fruit For stomach ulcer Decoction is taken orally
Leaf For hypertension Leaf is crushed, little quantity
of water and native chalk is
added to it, the extract
is taken orally.
Dried leaf For malaria Leaf is boiled for along
time and is taken orally.
23. Ceiba pentandra Okha Leaf For stomach pain Decoction is taken orally 05112
24. Chromolaena Ebe-awolowo Leaf For diarrhoea Decoction is taken orally 00452
odorata Leaf For menstrual pain The leaf of C. odorata
25. Citrus aurantifolia Igbopin-nigue Fruit For abdominal pain Juice is taken orally 00812
Obiede Leaf For bad breath Leaf is chewed
Stem For opthalmia Decoction is taken orally
26. Citrus paradise Alimo-grape Fruit For tuberculosis Juice is taken orally. 00521
27. Citrus sinensis Alimo Fruit For tuberculosis Juice is taken orally 01230
28. Cleome viscose Ikharo-oha Leaf For female infertility Leaf is chewed three 02010
times a day.
29. Cocos nucifera Uvin Bark For scabies Decoction is taken orally 00025
Root For uterine diseases, Decoction is taken orally.
urethritis, bronchitis, liver
ailment and dysentery
30. Crateva adansoni Ogiri-oha Root For weakness of male Root is chewed at regular 01921
reproductive organ interval for a month.
(decreased Libido)
31. Cymbopogon citrates Ihumibo leaf For high fever Decoction is taken orally 05111
32. Cynodon dactylon Leaf For irregular menstruation Decoction is taken orally 00051
33. Dialium guinense Igen Leaf For hiccup Leaf is chewed. 04191
34. Dichapetalium Ureaja Leaf For hypertension Decoction is taken orally 09100
heudebtii
35. Dityandra involucrata Ebeughegbe Roots For bone fractures Scrapings from the outer 00076
covering of the roots are
mixed with ground fruits
of Xylopia aethiopica, oil
added, the mixture is made
warm over the fire. The
decoction is applied on
the affected area.

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 Okoli et al.: Medicinal Herbs Used for Managing Some Common Ailments

36. Elaeis guineensis Udin Kernel oil As anticonvulsant The extract is applied all 00413
over the body
37. Euphorbia hirta Azugben Leaf For wound It is applied on the 00995
surface of the wound
Fresh leaf For asthma Decoction is taken orally
Flower Infertility in women
It is prepared as soup
which is taken orally.
38. Euphorbia Leaf For ear pain Latex is applied directly 06311
heterophylla on the ear twice a day
39. Ficus exasperata Ebe-Ameme Leaf For ring worm Leaf is used to scratch 07113
the affected part.
40. Ficus exasperata Leaves For boils Leaves are ground and
applied directly
on the boil.
41. Garcinia kola Adu Root bark For asthma Decoction is taken 00301
orally after food
bulb/seed For tuberculosis
42. Gongronema Utezi Leaf Diabetes Eaten raw or as vegetable 00115
latifolum in soup as spice
43. Hibiscus Obobo Leaf Abnormal development Leaf is ground with salt and 01942
rosasinensis of foetus taken orally once a day
44. Ipomoea batatas Iyan ebo Leaf For boils and wounds Poultice of leaf is applied 00341
As purgative on affected area
Decoction is taken orally
45. Jatropha Ujavade/ Root Fr epilepsy Decoction is taken orally 02231
curcas Okokoiko
Seed For gonorrhoea Seed is burnt and eaten
Seed As an abortifacient Dry seed is ground, kept in
local gin and taken orally.
Leaf For indigestion Infusion is taken orally.
Dry leaf For stomach ulcer Decoction is taken orally
46. Manihot Egu Tuber For bleeding during Start is extracted from the 02003
utillissima pregnancy tuber, stays for three days
before the addition of a glass
of water and is taken orally.
47. Melanthera Obreshelle Leaf For stomach disorders Decoction is taken orally 007201
scandens
48. Momordica Urakhanye Leaf Malaria The three plants are 00112
charantia squeezed together in
water and taken orally.
Leaf and fruit For fertility Leaf and fruit are
macerated in water, the
fluid is taken orally
Whole plant For diabetes Decoction is taken orally
Fruit Low sperm count A mixture of ground
young fruit with snails is
taken orally once a day.
Momordica Leaf For ring worm Leaf extract is applied
charanta on theaffected area
49. Musa paradisiaca Oghede Unripe fruit For stomach ulcer Decoction is taken orally 00512
Leaf For haemorrhoids (pile) Leaf mixed with palm oil
is applied externally
50. Musa sapientum Oghede-nikhere Leaf For eczema The leaves are burnt, and 00219
the ashes are rubbed
in the affected area
51. Newbouldia laevis Ukhimi Root For epilepsy Decoction is taken orally
Stem bark Early abortion Decoction is taken orally 00017
52. Nicotiana tabacum Itaba Fresh leaf For epilepsy Decoction is taken orally 09655
53. Olax subscorpioidea Ukpakon Root To reduce fat during Decoction is taken orally 00555
pregnancy, for constipation
Bark/leaf For yellow fever, jaundice, Decoction is taken orally
venereal diseases
and guinea worm

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 Okoli et al.: Medicinal Herbs Used for Managing Some Common Ailments

54. Parguetina Ufiogba Leaf Malaria The three plants are 00086
nigrescence squeezed together in water
and is taken orally.
55. Paullinia pinnata Ekeleba-kpugho Leaf As a purgative Decoction is taken orally 09433
56. Penisetum Esun Root For indigestion Root extract is 00009
purpureum taken orally
57. Persea americana Olumuebo Leaf For hypertension Leaf is boiled and 00871
taken orally
58. Phyllanthus amarus Ikekeebe Whole plant For bleeding Decoction is taken orally 00097
during pregnancy
59. Portulaca oleracea Userue Leaves For bleeding Parts are cooked using 09076
during pregnancy yam and palm
oil and are eaten.
60. Saccharum Uriekhue Matured stem For typhoid fever Juice extract of matured 09097
officinarum care is taken
61. Sida acuta Ubane alimi Leaf For gonorrhea Leaf extract is taken 00086
62. Sphenocetrum Obiomanuwhuno Root For impotence, Root is chewed 00128
jolyanum loss of Libido like chewing
stick every morning
63. Spondias mombin Ogheghe Leaves For allergy Leaves are eaten 00681
64. Talinum triangulare Ebodondon Tuber For schistosomiasis Tuber extract is taken orally 08553
Leaf For scabies and fresh cuts Leaf extract is taken orally.
65. Telferia occidentalis Umwenken Seed For increasing sperm Seed is boiled and eaten 00954
count in male
66. Terminalia catappa Belebo Leaf For diabetes Decoction is taken orally 09762
67. Triumfetta Uwerientan Leaf To induce fertility Infusion is taken orally 00423
rhomoboidea and make womb receptive
to implantation of foetus
68. Vernonia amydgalina Oriwo Leaf For hypertension Unwashed leaf is 05030
prepared as soup and
taken in the evenings.
69. Xylopia aethiopica Erierie Fruits For bone fractures Fruits are mixed with 05117
scrappings from the
outer roots of Dityandra
involucrate and oil. Then
mixture is made warm
over fire and applied on
the fractured site.
70. Zingiber afficinale Agio Rhizome For tuberculosis Decoction is taken orally 03302

without good source of water from time immemorial. amydgalina, Allium cepa, Talinum triangulare, Citrus
Some of the preparations are potent antibiotics and are aurantifolia, and Boerhavia diffusa.
used to treat pathologies such as wounds/ulcers, Previous works on traditional medicine in Nigeria
venereal diseases, dysentery, urinary tract infections, include: Mume (1976); Gill and Akinwumi (1986);
eczema, dandruffs and schistosomiasis. The potent Sofowora (1993); Adegoke et al. (1968); Daodu (2000);
antibiotics include: Garcina kola for treating Oliver (1990); others are: Gill and Akinwumi (1986),
tuberculosis; Olax subscorpioidea for yellow fever and Sofowora (1993), Gill and Siakpere (1990) and Gill and
venereal diseases such as Neiseria gonorrhea. As Akporhunor (1988). The findings of the present
indigenous communities, emphasis is placed on investigations were compared with some previously
child birth and its associated gynaecological/obstretic published studies on traditional medicine in Southern
disease conditions. Herbs used in the management Nigeria: Okoegwale and Omefezi (2001); Gill et al.
of reproductive disorders were Sphenocetrum (1993), Osifor (1988); Gill (1992). From these reports, it
jolyanum for loss of libido in men, Telferia was apparent that some of the plants, parts used and
occidentalis and Aframomum melegueta for low sperm purpose of use cut across other cultures not only in
counts; and Cloeme viscose for managing infertility in Nigeria but other parts of the world with similar cultural
women (Table 5). and socio-economic background (Ayitey-Smith, 1989).
Interestingly, some of the plants, which are known for
treating specific ailments, also form part of the diet of the Conclusion: It could be said that the use of medicinal
indigenes, who use them in various food preparations. herbs to cure common ailments would continue to be a
Notable among these are: Aframomum melegueta, major part of the health care delivery system in many
Euphorbia hirta, Telferia occidentalis, Vernonia societies. This may be related not only to cost and

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 Okoli et al.: Medicinal Herbs Used for Managing Some Common Ailments

difficulty in obtaining modern orthodox medical care Gill, L.S. and H. Siakpere, 1990. Ethnobotanical studies
but also the proven efficacy and tolerability of these of Urhobo People (Agbarho Clan) Ughelli Local
herbal preparations-a practice that has been with Government Area, Delta State, Nigeria. In S.A.
indigenous groups for ages. Adesanya (Ed.). Proceedings Workshop on Nature
Products. OAU Press, Ife, Nigeria.
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