PLANTS TRADITIONALLY USED IN TREATING MALARIA, TYPHOID FEVER AND RELATED COMPLICATIONS IN SOUTH-WESTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

This research study was carried out to examined medicinal plant species that is used to treat malaria and typhoid fever and related complications in southwestern Nigeria. This research seek to provide a wider database on the utilization of forest plant parts especially leaves in indigenous healthcare, provide information on parts of the plant species used. The study area was divided into two compartments for the purpose of this research work, undisturbed forest an Data was collected using field surveys and visiting traditional medicine homes for parts the used for the treatment of malaria and typhoid fever. Field trips were embarked upon for three months from July to September 2020 for medicinal plant species identification. The researchers were accompanied by a field assistant who can identify the plant species in local languages.. The computer PAST Model version 3 was used to analyze plant species diversity indices. The result obtained from the study shown that the study area is rich in plant species that are used to treat malaria and typhoid fever in southwest Nigeria. In, all a total of 110 plant species were belonging to 51 families were enumerated in the study area. The family Rubiaceae has highest number of plant species of eight (8) and this followed by Malvaceae with five (5) plant species. The following parts of the plant were used Leaves, barks, ,roots, flowers, fruits and seeds The result of the diversity index indicates that it was higher in the A 4.591 than B 4.469