Botany

The current rate of deforestation in Africa constitutes a serious danger to the future of medicinal plants on this continent.
Conservation of these medicinal plants in the field and the scientific documentation of our knowledge about them are therefore
crucial. An ethnobotanical survey of plants used for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB) was carried out in selected areas of the
Eastern Cape, South Africa. These areas were Hala, Ncera, Sheshegu, and Gquamashe, all within the NkonkobeMunicipality. One
hundred informants were interviewed.The survey included the identification of scientific and vernacular names of the plants used
for treatment of TB as well as the methods of preparation and administration, the part used, dosage, and duration of treatment.
The survey revealed 30 plants belonging to 21 families which are commonly used by traditional healers for the treatment of TB
and associated diseases. Of these plants Clausena anisata, Haemanthus albiflos, and Artemisia afra were the most cited. The leaves
were the most common part used in the medicinal preparations. Our findings are discussed in relation to the importance of the
documentation of medicinal plants.

Aims: This study was designed to compare the extractable yield of Chrysophyllum albidum seed oil, the phytoconstituents, and physicochemical parameters with the commercially available vegetable oil, to ascertain their suitability for human consumption and industrial uses. Place and Duration of Study: Biomedicinal Research Centre, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria in collaboration with the Pharmaceutical Chemistry Laboratory, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, between October, 2018 to July, 2019. Methodology: The seeds were collected from two locations (a parent tree in the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) and as well procured at Akesan market in Oyo town (Oyo) all in Oyo State, Nigeria. The experiments were executed adopting the standard procedures. The air-dried powdered C. albidum seed was cold macerated with analytical grade N-Hexane. The oils were purified using activated charcoal and qualitatively screened to ascertain the phytochemicals in them. Physic...

Aims: This study aims to review the diverse uses of Aloe vera (true aloe) as well as the conservation measures and conventional cultivation techniques. Study Design: Best evidence review. Place and Duration of Study: Biomedicinal Research Centre, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria. Methodology: Search inputs such as Aloe vera, Aloe barbadensis in conjunction with the following terms: ‘uses’, ‘overexploitation’, ‘conservation’, ‘policy’, ‘cultivation’, ‘yield’, and ‘agronomic practices’ were queried on several scientific databases. Search engines, were also queried for publications covering exploitation, conservation approaches, and cultivation requirements on Aloe vera. Other databases such as ScienceDirect and SciFinder were accessed for relevant papers and supplement acquired information after articles (outside the defined scope of the review) were excluded. Results: Aloe vera (true aloe) has been engaged particularly for medicinal and cosmetic purposes for thousands of years,...

Summary A global society, including developed countries, continues to struggle with fatal diseases that are difficult to treat with Western medicine. A variety of infectious diseases have existed for ages, but in Africa they had been limited thanks to the Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS) prior to the introduction of cosmopolitan medicine. Influenza virus repression has been demonstrated by a number of herbal antivirals, yet the invaluable therapeutic potential of herbal medicine has been underestimated. Despite various reliable methods offered by Western medicine, the globally destructive COVID-19 pandemic requires a successful fight. The wisdom of African IKS used in tackling epidemics that have broken out in the past is brought to mind again. Pneumonia – a COVID-19 symptom, could be treated with polyherbal fomentation. Selected plants cultivated across Nigeria for hydrotherapy are under consideration to be used in proper doses. Given the potential associated with IKS, a multi-dis...

Sacred forests play a central role in the cultural and livelihoods of indigenous people. Despite the vital roles of sacred forests, a decline in the areas of the forests have been reported. The consequence of this is that many of the people’s indigenous knowledge systems built over the years as well as the endemic forest diversity are at the risk of becoming extinct. The study therefore investigated the contributions of selected sacred forests to rural communities as well as the challenges facing the forests. Data was collected through field visit and questionnaire administration. The respondents include people living in two villages (Balogun and Ososun) adjacent to Igbo Igunnko (meaning Igunnuko sacred forest) and Igbo Oro (Oro sacred forest) located in Ogun State, Southwest Nigeria. The forests form part of the history upon which the surrounding villages were established. Among the taboos supporting existence of the sacred forests, prohibition of fishing in Oso’ro River (that link...

Justicia secunda is a medicinal plant that belongs to the family Acanthaceae, it is widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment and management of a wide range of ailments. In this study, the phytochemicals screening/analysis, minerals and micro-morphological characteristics of the leaves of J. secunda were evaluated using standard procedures. The data generated for the phytomineral and phytochemical contents of the leaves as well as the chemo-microscopic test and foliar anatomical features of the leaves which revealed distinct characteristic features will be useful in the systematics, proper identification, authentication and standardization of this plant for medicinal purposes.

The current rate of deforestation in Africa constitutes a serious danger to the future of medicinal plants on this continent. Conservation of these medicinal plants in the field and the scientific documentation of our knowledge about them are therefore crucial. An ethnobotanical survey of plants used for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB) was carried out in selected areas of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. These areas were Hala, Ncera, Sheshegu, and Gquamashe, all within the Nkonkobe Municipality. One hundred informants were interviewed. The survey included the identification of scientific and vernacular names of the plants used for treatment of TB as well as the methods of preparation and administration, the part used, dosage, and duration of treatment. The survey revealed 30 plants belonging to 21 families which are commonly used by traditional healers for the treatment of TB and associated diseases. Of these plantsClausena anisata, Haemanthus albiflos,andArtemisia afrawere the mo...