ETHNOMEDICAL PLANTS SURVEY OF UGHELLI NORTH

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, DELTA STATE

BY

ODIBI EMUDIAGA

MATRIC NO: PHC/08/09/146717

A PROJECT SUBMITTED IN PATRIAL FULFIMENT OF THE

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF
PHARMARCY IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACOGNOSY AND
HERBAL MEDICINE, FACULTY OF PHARMACY,
DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY, ABRAKA

AUGUST, 2014.

DEDICATION
This project work is dedicated to Almighty God for his infinite mercies, guidance and
protection, the only one in whom all things are possible who has been my Lord and
Saviour
And
Also to my husband, Comrade Oyibo-Jerry Enwefah and my family

CERTIFICATION
I certify that this project work on Ethnomedical plants survey of Ughelli North Local
Government Area of Delta State was carried out by ODIBI EMUDIAGA with
matriculation number PHC/08/09 146717 in the Department of Pharmacognosy and
herbal medicine of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta State University, Abraka, under my
supervision.

Date

Prof. K. K. Ajibesin

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Above all mortals, my profound gratitude goes to Almighty God for counting me
worthy of this academic calling.
I wish to express my gratitude to my supervisor Prof. K. K. Ajibesin for unreserved
supervisory role, constructive criticisms and suggestions at a very level of this study
which were most helpful and ensure the success of this work. My immeasurable gratitude
goes to every staff both academic and non academic and student for their great support
and encouragement towards the completion of my programme. Also I wish to appreciate
the invaluable contributions and assistance of the following individuals Pharm. (Mrs.)
Rita Akonoghrere, pharm. Ogheneovo , my mother Mrs. Lucky Odibi for her moral
support throughout the period of my study. And to my simblings, Miss Tina Odibi, Miss
Efemena Odibi, Master Omohwo Odibi, Master Oyoma Odibi, Mr. and Mrs. Eseoghene
Luzian Odibi for their encouragement and prayers. I recognize every member of
500level (2012/2013) class most especially Idibofu Gregsonil.
Finally,to my dearest, my ever caring and understanding husband comrade OyiboJerry Enwefah who stood by me when it matters and also for his financial support.
Almighty God will bountifully reward you all.

ODIBI EMUDIAGA

TABLE OF CONTENT
TITLE

PAGE

Title page

Dedication

ii

Certification

iii

Acknowledgement

iv

Table of content

Abstract

ABSTRACT
An Ethnomedical plants survey was carried out on Ughelli North Local Government
Area of Delta State which is made up of seven (7) clans with a view of having a database
of the medicinal plants employed by the indigenes to treat various ailments.
Field trips were made and questionnaires were employed as the method of data
collection, interviews were also conducted alongside with questionnaires, information
was sourced from traditional medical practitioners, community elders, people who have
knowledge of medicinal plants, patients that has been treated traditionally, persons who
had the idea on the use of herbs and herb sellers, data was collected on the local names of
plants used, type or form of plant (tree, herb, shrub and climber), the plant(s) used, their
therapeutic effect, method of preparation and mode of administration.
Result obtained from the survey showed that the following disease conditions were the
most prevalent, malaria (19.80%), fever (19.41%), cough (7.25), stomach pain (4.71%),
and measles (4.12%). From the survey, a total of 68 plant species from 45 plant families
of medicinal plants were used to treat various ailments. The Euphobiaceae family was the
most reported followed by the Malvaceae family. The harvested plant parts consisted of
stem, bark, leaf, bulb, rhizome, fruit, flower and nut. Leaf and shrub was the plant part
frequently used. Both Herb and shrub were (23 species) each were found to be the most
used plant form followed by tree (17 species), and climber (5 species). The survey also
revealed that oral route was the most frequently used route of administration among
topical, ophthalmic, and nasal routes encountered.
Most people especially in the rural settlements prefer the use of medicinal plants in the
treatment of diseases for the reasons of affordability, effectiveness, availability and
accessibility of practitioners. Thus, for these reasons, traditional medicine is useful to the
health of the nation and should be integrated or co-recognised with modern or orthodox
medicine practice and its operations should be re-evaluated and standardised for optimal
effects.