Ethnobotanical survey of plants used in treatment of female reproductive health disorders in selected Local Government Areas of Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

Sexual and reproductive health problems account for about one-third of health challenges of women aged 15-44 years and may impair fertility. Urbanization adversely affects the knowledge and use of plant resources. Lagos is a large and complex urban area. This report is a survey of plants used in traditional medicines in Lagos State for treatment of female reproductive health disorders. Traditional medicine practitioners were interviewed to obtain information on the recipes used. Twenty-five recipes containing 48 plant species from 32 families were reported. Plants recorded are used in the treatment of infections (17), menstrual disorders (13), fibroid (10), sperm leakage (8) and female infertility of unknown causes (7).  The family Euphorbiaceae recorded highest number of species (4).  Zea mays had the highest relative frequency of citation (RFC) of 0.455 followed by Citrullus colocynthis and Elaeis guineensis each with RFC of 0.364.  Piper guineense had the highest use value (UV) of 0.364 followed by Elaeis guineensis with UV of 0.273.  Leaves are the most frequently (26%) used plant parts while stem and cob are the least (2%) used. Oral administration of the recipes, as decoctions, tinctures, macerates, soups and char, was the most adopted (92 %). Topical (8 %) as char for virginal wash was the only other mode of administration. Materials that are not from plants were reported to be used in the recipes and they include both organic and inorganic substances. This documentation is a means of conserving traditional medicine knowledge and a resource for future scientific evaluation.