visits to physicians (Hajaratu et al.,2014). Also, postpartum depression has been reported to adversely affect mothers, their newborn infants, their partners and the society. The prevalence of postpartum depression among mothers was 30.6% at an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression scale (EPDS). Ukaegbe et al., 2012. To avert this health challenge, plants play significant roles during pregnancy, birth and postpartum care in many rural areas of the world most especially developing country such as Nigeria. This is because Nigerian ecosystems are naturally endowed with arrays of floristic composition of different plant forms and resources (Olajide, 2003), thus enabling them to ABSTRACT A survey of plants used for the treatment of menstrual disorders and after-child birth problems was conducted in Abeokuta South Local Government. Hundred (100) questionnaires were administered using multi stage sampling method on traditional herbal practitioners. Ethnobotanical information such as, plants and plant parts used, methods of extraction used and mode of administration of the herbal preparations of these plants were requested. Also, phytochemical contents of the most frequently mentioned plants were determined. Data were subjected to Analysis of variance (ANOVA) with probability set at p<0.05 and descriptive statistics. Results revealed that a total of fifty-six (56) plants belonging to 37 families were mentioned. The most frequently mentioned families are Euphorbiaceae, Leguminoceae, Anacardiaceae, Apocynaceae, Araceae and Combretaceae.

An ethnobotanical survey of some plants used for management of diabetes in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria was conducted. A total of 100 questionnaires were administered; (50 herbal practitioners and 50 on patients). Investigations were carried out on the plant parts used, methods of preparation and administration including, dosage and duration of usage. The results showed that fifty (50) plant species belonging to 30 families used in herbal anti-diabetes recipes. The most frequently used plant was Vernonia amygdalina (54%), followed by Azadirachta indica (44%), Ocimum gratissimum (20%), Mormodica charantia (10%) and Citrus aurantifolia (10%). Irrespective of the plant parts (leaves, fruits, stem-barks or roots) or combinations of the plant parts, water and alcohol were the main solvents. The most frequently used plant parts was leaf (62%) and mainly by decoction. Treatment regimens were by chewing or drinking of the aqueous herbal preparations (350-400ml) daily for 6-12 weeks or until symptoms of diabetes disappear.

A survey study was carried out on plants used to manage kidney and liver diseases in Odeda Local Government Area, Ogun State, Nigeria. A total of hundred (100) questionnaire were administered using stratified sampling method on traditional herbal practitioners. Ethnobotanical data such as, plants and plant parts and methods of extraction used were sought. Anti-nutrients of the frequently mentioned plants were also evaluated. Data were subjected to Analysis of variance (ANOVA) with probability set at p<0.05 and descriptive statistics. Results revealed that 55.5% of the respondents were females while 45.5% were males. Largest percentage (47.9%) were between the ages 41-60years. Twenty six 26(26.0%) of the respondents were herbalists, 34(34.0%) were herb sellers, 21(21.0%) were Traditional practitioners while 19 (19.0%) were Traditional practitioners and herb sellers. Twenty three (23) of the respondents had 1-5years, 35 had 6-10 years while 42 of them had being in the herbal profession for more than 10 years. Seventy four percent (74%) of plants collated during this study were available both in home garden and markets. Fifty 50 plants species belonging to 37 families were reported being used to manage kidney and liver diseases. Malvaceae and meliaceae were the most frequently mentioned families. Largest number of plants 20(40%) collated were trees, followed by herbs 19(38%) while vegetable 1(2%) was vegetable. The most commonly used plants part were Leaves, barks roots, fruits, seeds bulbs and combination of any of these parts. Decoction, soaking, infusion, grinding, strong heating paste and combination(s) of any of these methods were employed for preparing herbal remedies of these diseases. No significant difference (P>0.05) was recorded in the phytate content of Khaya ivorensis and Kigelia africana leaves. Similar observation was recorded in the oxalate and cyanide content of Chasmantheran dependens and Kigelia africana leaves.. Polyphenol and tannins were significantly different across the leaves of plants under this investigation. No significantly different (P>0.05) was recorded in the quantity of phytate present in Chasmantheran dependens and Kigelia africana, oxalate of Chasmantheran dependens, Kigelia africana and Azadirachta indica, and cyanide in root of the plants. Highest phytate (13.00) was recorded in Azadirachta indica, oxalate (12.33), Polyphenol (9.00) and cyanide (4.33) in Ficus exasperate while tannins (16.00) were recorded in the leaves of Chasmantheran dependens.

Ocimum gratissimum is an essential plant because of its wide food and medicinal usage. Despite its relevance, its morpho-physiological compositions are influenced by several abiotic stresses. Hence, this study examined the effects of water stress on the growth and chlorophyll contents of O. gratissimum. Seedlings of O. gratissimum were grown in twenty-four pots, two per pot and were arranged using a complete randomized design with four groups: Very Wet O. gratissimum (VWO), Moderately Water Stress O. gratissimum (MWSO), Strongly Water Stress O. gratissimum (SWSO) and Adequately Watered O. gratissimum (AWO) as control. Fifty centiliters of water was applied in AWO once daily, VWO twice daily, MSWO once in three days and SWSO once a week. Growth parameters: Stem height, number of leaves, leaf area, stem girth and petiole length were determined one week after treatment for six weeks. Chlorophyll contents were determined at two weeks intervals after treatment for eight weeks. Descriptive statistics such as mean±standard deviation and one-way Analysis of Variance (p < 0.05) were done using SAS software. Results obtained showed the highest mean stem height (27.50 ± 0.29 cm), number of leaves (37.00 ± 9.0), leaf area (735.7 ± 4.12 cm2), stem girth (0.40 ± 0.00 cm) and petiole length (7.20 ± 0.40 cm) in VWO. Similar results were obtained for chlorophyll (56.70 ± 0.65 mg–1). It could be concluded that regular watering of O. gratissimum could promote growth and increase chlorophyll contents of the plant.

Water stress is an inevitable factor which limits growth, development, and production efficiency of vegetables such as Capsicum annuum (Linnaeus) (pepper). This study was carried out to investigate the use of proline as an osmolyte to ameliorate the effect of water stress on morphological and physiological attributes of Capsicum annuum. C. annuum seedlings were subjected to different levels of proline (20, 30 and 40 %) against droughted and well-watered seedlings as control in a completely randomized design. Results showed that water stress limits morphological and physiological attributes of C. annuum, while proline at different levels enhances it. Highest plant height (26.00±0.71 cm) was obtained in C. annuum sprayed with 40% proline. Well-watered seedlings of C. annuum produced the highest numbers of leaves (35.40±4.12 cm) and leaf length (12.60±0.68 cm). In addition, leaf area (89.40±2.04 cm2), specific leaf area (124.24±1.24 m2kg-1) and leaf area index (1.76±1.13 m2m-2) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in C. annuum seedlings sprayed with 40 % proline compared with other treatments. Relative growth rate (0.30±0.09 mgg-1day-1), net assimilation rate (0.47±0.30 gm-2day-1) and leaf area ratio (0.58±0.11 m2kg-1) as well as, chlorophyll content (9.76±0.02 µgcm2), were higher in C. annuum seedlings sprayed with 40% proline. In conclusion, 20 and 30 % proline sustained morphological and physiological attributes of C. annuum under water stress, but 40% proline produced better ameliorative effects.