The Journal of Phytopharmacology, 2017;6(2):107-114 ; DOI:10.31254/phyto.2017.6208
An ethnomedicinal survey of plants used to treat malaria in the Central Region of Ghana
Paulina Ampomah1 , Kobina Yankson2 , Hugh Komla Akotoye3 , Elvis OforiAmeyaw1
1. Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Ghana
2. Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Ghana
3. Department of Environmental Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Ghana
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 22nd April, 2017 / Accepted: 19th May, 2017
Herbal medicines form a major component of traditional medicine in Africa because they are perceived to be efficacious and safe. The study aimed at investigating anti-malarial plants used by the indigenous people in the Central Region of Ghana. The study was conducted in three districts: Cape Coast (CC), Assin and AsikumaOdoben-Brakwa (AOB). Ethnomedicinal data on antimalarial plants was collected using a convenient sampling technique consisting of field observation, collection of vouchers and semi-structured interviews of herbalists/herbal practitioners and general public. Respondents interviewed constituted Herbal practitioners/Vendors (8%), Traditional birth attendants (TBAs, 6%), Chiefs/Opinion leaders (2%), and general public (84%). The female respondents formed 54% and 46% were males. Eighty-nine plant species belonging to 41 families were recorded as useful in treating malaria. Leaves were the commonest plant part used for herbal preparation (49.5%), followed by Stem bark (21.2%), roots (14.1%), fruits (7.2%), seeds and whole (3.0% each) and flowers (2.0%). Thirty two plant species belonging to 23 families were found to be common in all study areas. Herbal medicine patronage for malaria treatment in Central Region of Ghana is high with common species occurring inall study areas.
Malaria, Medicinal plants, Survey, Assin, Central Region.
HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE
Ampomah P, Yankson K, Akotoye HK, Ameyaw EO. An ethnomedicinal survey of plants used to treat malaria in the Central Region of Ghana. J Phytopharmacol 2017;6(2):107-114.
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