Ethnobotanical Survey of Plants used in the Management of Pregnancy-Related Illnesses in Parts of Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Aims: For many centuries before the invention of conventional drugs plants were the drugs used for the treatment of many illness, till now it has been proven by a lot of researchers that many persons still prefer the use of herbal drugs including pregnant women. This study was carried to find out the plants used for management of pregnancy-related illnesses. Study Design:  This was a cross-sectional study Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out between January and May, 2019 within five local government areas of Edo State, Nigeria, which make up Benin City. Methodology: Ethnobotanical data were gathered through general conversations with informants in the field. Fifty people were interviewed during the course of the research. An oral interview was used to gather information, which was led by a semi-structured open-ended questionnaire within five local governments in Edo State. Results: Respondednts identified sixteen plants for management of pregnancy-related ailments. These sixteen plants' leaves, stems, and roots were primarily used. In the Amaryllidaiea family, Allium sativum, fruits and bulbs were used, whereas in the Euphorbiaceae family, Phyllantus amarus, all plant components were utilised. The Oredo local government had the highest percentage of responders who use Alchornia cordifolia from the Euphorbiaceae family for the treatment of pregnancy-related disorders, with 80 percent agreeing to use the plant. Conclusion: Among the 16 plants identified, the most-used were Jatropha curcas, Alchornea cordifolia, and Secamone afzelii.