Ethnobotany is a multidisciplinary field that studies the relationships between plants and human cultures, encompassing various aspects such as anthropology, botany, medicine, and economics [1]. It involves documenting traditional medicinal knowledge and the application of medicinal plants by indigenous communities. Ethnobotanical surveys have been conducted in diverse regions, including Iran, Turkey, Ethiopia, and India, to record the use of plants for treating various ailments [2,3.4,5]. The documentation of ethnobotanical knowledge is crucial for preserving indigenous wisdom and identifying potential leads for drug development [6]. However, this traditional knowledge is at risk of erosion due to factors such as agricultural expansion and disinterest among younger generations [5].

Use Value (UV) is a quantitative measure used in ethnobotanical studies to evaluate the relative importance of plant species based on their reported uses.  It integrates both the frequency of a species’ mention and the number of its reported uses, often serving to highlight species of particular significance. Use value in ethnobotany refers to the importance or utility of a plant species to a particular cultural group or community. It is also defined as a measure of the plant’s usefulness, versatility, and significance to the people who use it. Several studies have employed UV to assess the significance of medicinal plants in different communities

Materials and Methods

Description of the study area

The survey was done in in Jema’a is a Local Government Area located in southern Kaduna State, Nigeria, with its headquarters in Kafanchan. Covering an area of 1,384 square kilometers, Jema’a had a population of 278,202 according to the 2006 census. Map of Jema’a is a LGA is shown in Figure 1.

Experimental Design

A semi-structured questionnaire was used to engage 90 respondents from three communities for data collection on species grow in home gardens in the areas and their traditional or cultural medicine application.

Determination of Use Value (UV)

Use Vakue of species is a quantitative method that highlights the relative importance of species within local knowledge systems [8]. It is often employed, where the use value is calculated with the formula below described by Zenderland [9].

Results

Table 1 shows results on diseases treated and the Diversity plant species used in Jema’a Local Government Area (LGA). From the results, 76 different disease categories were being treated, reflecting the extensive reliance on traditional medicine in the region. The survey identified over 150 plant species employed across various disease treatments, with outstanding representation from species like Moringa oleifera, Azadirachta indica (Neem), and Carica papaya. Diseases such as stomach pain, malaria fever, and typhoid fever were treated with the highest diversity of plant species, including 67, 59, and 40 species respectively. Other notable ailments addressed include hypertension, diabetes, and skin infections. In contrast, conditions like anemia, inflammatory diseases, and eye disorders showed more limited use of plant species. This study highlights the invaluable role of traditional knowledge in local healthcare, advocating for the conservation and integration of these practices into formal medical systems to enhance healthcare delivery and biodiversity preservation.

The most frequently mentioned plant species in Jema’a LGA and their respective citation counts across various diseases are as follows: Moringa oleifera (46 mentions) for ailments like stomach pain, malaria fever, typhoid fever, and diarrhea; Azadirachta indica (Neem) (42 mentions) for malaria fever, typhoid fever, stomach pain, and skin problems. Other species most mentioned were Carica papaya (Pawpaw) (34 mentions) for typhoid fever, stomach pain, cancer, and diarrhea; Mangifera indica (Mango) (32 mentions) for malaria fever, heart disease, and diarrhea; and Persea americana (Avocado) (29 mentions), predominantly for heart disease and cholesterol reduction. Other notable mentions include Annona muricata (Soursop) (20 mentions) for cancer and arthritis. The result further revealed Khaya senegalensis (Mahogany) (18 mentions) for diarrhea and blood sugar reduction, Curcuma longa (Turmeric) (17 mentions) for hepatitis and liver disorders, and Ocimum gratissimum (Scent Leaf) (16 mentions) for diarrhea, malaria, and stomach pain. These figures highlight the extensive use and importance of these species in traditional medicine practices within the region.

Table 2 reveals the relationship between plant species, the number of ailments they reportedly treat, and their Use Value (UV) in Jema’a LGA, highlighting the extensive utilization of traditional medicinal plants. A total of 44 species were documented, with Moringa oleifera emerging as the most versatile, treating 63 ailments and having the highest UV (0.700). Mangifera indica was also highly significant, treating 57 ailments (UV: 0.633), followed by Azadirachta indica (Neem) with 55 ailments (UV: 0.611) and Persea americana (Avocado) addressing 44 ailments (UV: 0.489). Other notable species include Carica papaya (Pawpaw) (41 ailments, UV: 0.456) and Eucalyptus camaldulensis (33 ailments, UV: 0.367). These plants were primarily used for treating common diseases such as malaria, typhoid, stomach pain, and diarrhea. The findings emphasize the cultural and therapeutic significance of these species, advocating for their conservation and further exploration in modern pharmacological studies.

Discussion

The most frequently mentioned plant species in Jema’a LGA were M. oleifera (46 mentions) for ailments like stomach pain, malaria fever, typhoid fever, and diarrhea; and A. indica (42 mentions) for malaria fever and typhoid. This confirms why M. oleifera is widely cultivated and utilized in Northern Nigeria, particularly for its nutritional and medicinal as reported by Idris, and Raubilu [10,11]. Aisha [12] reported that A. indica medicinal properties are well-recognized in Nigeria, with its leaves being popularly used for treating malaria fever. A survey conducted in Lagos State, Nigeria by Ishola [13] identified A. indica as one of the most frequently used plants (25.5%) for local antimalarial herbal recipes. Similarly, Odugbemi [14] study in Okeigbo, Ondo State reported A. indica among the top plants used for malaria therapy.

In this study, M. oleifera, M. indica, A. indica, P. americana, C. papaya and E. camaldulensis have the highest UVs of 0.700, 0.633, 0.61, 0.489, 0.456 and 0.367 respectively. In a study conducted in Turgutlu, Turkey, Rosa canina (0.75), Ficus carica subsp. carica (0.74), Tilia platyphyllos (0.71), and Vitex agnus-castus (0.70) were identified as the most important plants based on UV calculations [3]. These UV values falls within the range obtained in this study.  Similarly, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, UV ranged from 0.125 for Asparagus racemosus to 0.34 for Syzygium aromaticum [15] which are also within the range recorded in this research. Interestingly, some studies reported significantly higher UV values. For instance, in Sri Lanka, Aerva javanica had the highest UV of 1.67 for antidiabetic remedies [16]. In contrast, a study in Pakistan found UV values ranging from 0.23 to 0.02, with Mentha arvensis (0.23) having the highest value [17] which are below the ones obtained in this study. Interestingly, UV calculations have revealed some contradictions in plant usage across different regions of Nigeria. While Rosa canina had the highest UV in southwest Nigeria, it was not reported as a significant medicinal plant in other surveyed areas. This suggests regional variations in ethnobotanical knowledge and practices within the country [3,18,19] as also recorded in this study.

Conclusion

The study revealed that M. oleifera, M. indica, A. indica, P. americana, C. papaya and E. camaldulensis species have the highest use value. M. oleifera and A. indica were most mentioned for treating common diseases in southern Kaduna. It is therefore recommended that these and other species be conserved in the area for sustainability.

Authors’ contributions

Designed, coordinated the study and the work, A.S.I.N; analyzed and wrote the article, D.O.E; carried out the study P.I.T. 

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank all academic staff of the Department of Forest Production and Products for their support.

Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or non-profit sectors.

Availability of data and materials

All data will be made available on request according to the journal policy.

Conflicts of interest

The authors confirm that there is no conflict of interest to declare

Reference

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