The contribution of Traditional Medicine Practitioners (TMPs) to conservation of medicinal plants and the acceptability of cultivated plants as alternative to wild sources were studied in Aiyedade Local Government area of Osun State, Nigeria. 55 TMPs were randomly selected for interview from 120 registered TMPs in the study area. 94.5 % of the respondents were aware of plant species which had become scarce. Results revealed that 41.3% of plants cultivated in their homesteads were herbs, Shrubs (29.3%), Trees(18.7%) and climbers(10.7%). 51.6% of plants from wild sources were trees while 44.1% of plants bought from herb markets were trees. Correlation between scarcity of medicinal plants and travel distance to collect plant materials by TMPs was positive (0.278, ρ < 0.05), problems associated with cultivation such as land and collection from the wild was equally positive (0.358, ρ < 0.01). Sustainable harvesting and deliberate cultivation have been proposed to ensure continued supply of medicinal plants to meet the health care needs of rural dwellers in the study area.
This work investigated heavy metals content of Forest Leafy Vegetables (FLVs) consumed in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Fresh samples of eight commonly consumed FLV species were obtained from two major markets in Port Harcourt. FLVs were dried, digested and analysed with flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) for heavy metals. Proximate analysis of FLVs was carried out using standard method of AOAC. Concentrations of Iron (Fe) ranged from 4.69ppm (Heinsia crinata)-8.97ppm (Gongronema latifolia), Manganese was highest in Liasanthera africana (6.03ppm) and lowest in O.gratissimum (0.45ppm) while Magnesium levels ranged from 0.609-1.630ppm. P.guineense accumulate highest Pb (1.004ppm) compared to Ocimum basilicum Pb (0.380ppm). Copper was highest in H.crinata (1.165ppm) and lowest in O.gratissimum (0.218ppm). O. gratissimum had lowest Cadmium (0.022ppm), Arsenic (0.003ppm), Mercury (0.002ppm) and Zinc (0.044ppm). P.guineense contains highest concentration of Chromium (3.792ppm) while H. crinata possess the lowest (0.409ppm). Nickel was highest in O.bassilicum (0.665ppm) and least in G.latifolia (0.388ppm). FLVs were rich in crude protein, fat and crude fibre. O.bassilicum (21.00%) was the richest in crude protein while H.crinata has the lowest level (11.55%). Crude fibre content of the FLVs range from 11.0% to 14.0% while fat content varied between 2.4% for O.bassilicum and 4.0% for H. crinata. FLVs sourced from natural forests in crude oil exploration areas in Nigeria is safe for consumption, since heavy metals of FLVs samples were less than maximum limits recommended by FAO/WHO. Proximate analyses showed that the FLVs possess useful nutritional contents required for healthy growth.
This study examined the type of medicinal plants used in the management of malaria in the Yoruba folklore in south western Nigeria. 87 Traditional medicine practitioners (TMP's) were interviewed. Plants available in the regions were considered in the survey and recorded with their local names, parts used, preparation and the modes of use. A total of 21 plant species used by TMP`s in the management of malaria infections were identified. These species belong to 18 plant families.
Background and Purpose: Several urban tree species are important in ethno-medicine, especially in the developing tropical regions. Their assessment in urban landscapes is becoming an important issue. The study assessed and mapped the ethno-medicinal trees in the built up area land use type of the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, with a view to examining their spatial variation in terms of composition and diversity between the residential and non-residential areas of the University Park. Materials and Methods: The study employed the use of geographic information system (ArcGIS 9.3) for the mapping. Built up area land use was subdivided into residential and non-residential where the ethno-medicinal trees were recorded, identified and enumerated. Global positioning system was used to determine the coordinates of each tree. The species composition and diversity were calculated and a comparison was made between the residential and non-residential land use types. The pattern of spread of the ethno-medicinal trees was determined by the nearest neighbour analysis. Results: A total of 37 ethno-medicinal trees species were found in the study area, while the species composition was 499 in the residential area and 438 in the non-residential area. Azadirachta indica was the highest (233) in composition. Ethno-medicinal tree species in the study area consist of 19 families of which Anacardiaceae, Rutaceae, Moraceae and Combretaceae were the highest. Species diversity was higher in the non-residential land use (2.698) than in the residential land use (2.222). Conclusion: The nearest neighbour analysis reveals that the z-score value was higher in the nonresidential area (-23.06) than in the residential area (-0.30), but the pattern of distribution in both areas were clustered. The study recommended periodic monitoring and the assessment of ethnomedicinal trees in the study area for conservation purposes.
One of the numerous sources of Edible fruits from trees in peri-uban centres are home gardens. However, there are limited research on the implication for food security and urban greening due to transient nature of farming in the cities. The aim of this study was to determine the extent of edible fruit tree (EFTs) planting in home garden in University of Port Harcourt and assess its impact on the social and physical environment as well as its contribution to food security and urban greening. Total enumeration of edible fruit bearing tree species in the residential areas was carried out in Choba and Delta parks of the university while, representative sample consisting of all student halls of residence and major streets in the staff quarters in the main university park enumerated. Mangifera indica (Mango) has the highest population of 91 trees while Prunus persica (Peach) was the least with a single tree population in Abuja Park. Carica papaya (Pawpaw), Psidium guajava (Guava), Cocos nucifera (Coconut), Elaeis guinensis (Oil palm) and Persia americana (Avocado pear) ranked high among the common fruit trees planted or conserved in residential areas of the University. Valued local species in the survey include; Irvingia wombulu (Bush mango/Ogbono), Chrysophyllum albidum (African star apple), Citrus sinensis (Sweet orange) and Dacryodes edulis (African pear). Site distribution of EFTs in the study showed that residential areas of Delta Park possess the highest population of EFTs (243) among the three Parks while Choba Park has the least EFTs populations (92 trees). EFTs diversity consists of Twelve (12) families distributed over Fifteen (15) genera. Palmae has the highest frequency while ISSN 2157-6092 2014 www.macrothink.org/jee 235 Rosaceae was the least with one species (Prunus persica (L) Batsch). Judging from the way the well-educated protect, conserve and plant ETFs within the University environment food security and urban greening can be achieved if it is extended to other public and private residential area within the peri-urban centres. Journal of Environment and Ecology
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.