Use of Medicinal Plants by Hausa Ethnic Settlers in Lagos, Nigeria, for Treatment of Common Health Problems

Vollständiger Abstract

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An ethnobotanical investigation was conducted to document the use of medicinal plants among Hausa settlers in Lagos. A total of 125 informants (91 men and 34 women) were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires between 2018 and 2022. The study identified 138 plant species from 101 genera belonging to 57 families used to treat 19 health conditions. The most represented families were Fabaceae (29 species), Euphorbiaceae (8 species), and Moraceae (8 species). Woody tree species (44%), followed by shrubs (29%) and herbs (21%), constituted the primary sources of herbal medicines, with leaves and stem bark being the most frequently utilized plant parts. Decoction was the predominant preparation method (47%), while oral administration was the most common route (83%). Relative frequency of citation (RFC) values ranged from 0.01 to 0.06, and fidelity level (FL) values ranged from 44% to 100%. Boswellia dalzielii and Vangueria agrestis exhibited the highest use value (UV 0.143), followed by Erythrina senegalensis (UV 0.143). Informant consensus was highest for the use of medicinal plants in treating gastrointestinal system disorders (ICF: 0.69) and jaundice (ICF: 0.53). It is recommended that species with high UV and RFC values undergo further phytochemical analysis. The documentation of these findings contributes to the preservation of Hausa cultural heritage and provides a basis for future pharmacological research and the sustainable use of medicinal plants in Lagos.