Abstract

The Fulani herdsmen of Nigeria are known to use herbs for the treatment and control of different human and livestock diseases. This study was designed to identify and document the medicinal plants used by the Fulani herdsmen in Plateau State, Nigeria, in the management of animal diarrhoea, and to harness such plants for the purpose of drug development. Open-ended questionnaires and guided dialogue techniques were used to interview the Fulani pastoralists in nine Local Government Areas (LGAs) spread across the three senatorial districts of Plateau State. Seventy-nine plants were mentioned as being used for treatment and control of diarrhoea in animals. Fabaceae was the most common family mentioned followed by Combretaceae, Moraceae and Verbanaceae. The leaves were mentioned as the most common plant part used. Most anti-diarrhoeal preparations are administered by drenching while a few others are mixed with feed, salt or potash to improve palatability. The Fulani herdsmen have appreciable understanding of medicinal plants and could constitute a relevant source of information about herbal remedies. Plateau State has a large reserve of medicinal plants used for the management of diarrhoea in livestock; such plants are potential sources of novel anti-diarrhoeal medicaments.

Key word: Animal diarrhoea, Fulani, herbs, Plateau State, Nigeria, survey.

Abbreviation

LGA, Local Government Areas; WHO, World Health Organization; ABU,Ahmadu Bello University.