Abstract

An ethnobotanical survey on medicinal plants used for treating and managing different ailments by the Laniba people who live in south western Nigeria was undertaken. The study was conducted using unstructured interviews among both male and female herbalists, herb sellers and experienced village elders. Information on traditional uses and remedies were documented. Twenty-one plants belonging to fifteen families were mentioned by herbalists and villagers as being commonly used. Interview data suggested a heterogeneous use of medicinal plants. Dioscorea hirtiflora Benth., Piper guineense Schumacher and Thonn., AlliumL. species, Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle were prominent in the recipes, which suggested that they are important in the management of diseases. Most of the plants identified in this study have been previously experimentally verified as being active biologically. The family Liliaceae occurred most frequently in the list. This work includes the plant recipes, plant part used, mode of preparation and application of the remedies as specified by people of Laniba village.

Key words: Nigeria, medicinal plants, traditional knowledge, conservation.