Exploring the Benefits of Yoruba Indigenous Knowledge and the Herbal Medicine System

Abstract

The Yoruba people are one of the West African's main ethno-linguistic or ethnic groups. They have an impressive indigenous knowledge and herbal medicinal system. They pre-occupied Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Kwara, Ondo , Lagos and Koji state. The researchers developed seven (7) research objectives and seven (7) research questions to investigate the nature, forms, benefits and methods of preparing and administering Yoruba Herbal Medicine. Descriptive research design was adopted for the study, interviews and observations were the instruments used for data collections. Eight (8) herbal medicine practitioners were interviewed in Oyo and Ogun state. The result of the interviews was also presented and the researchers found that the Yoruba indigenous knowledge and herbal medicine system was characterized by the use of herbs, roots, leaves and other materials. It was concluded that indigenous herbal medicine is crucial to community development and sustainability in spite of the huge influences of modern western medicine. It was also recommended that traditional herbal medicine should be included in the Nigerian school curriculum from primary to tertiary education levels to enable the younger generations to be acquainted with indigenous herbs, roots, leaves, fruit, etc.