Abstract Detail

Ethnobotany

Documentation of Medicinal Plants Used for the Prevention of COVID 19 Symptoms by Awori People in Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria.

The new corona-virus called the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and COVID 19 originated for the first time in Wuhan, China in December 2019. The virus is mainly transmitted through droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes, speaks or breathes. Most people who fall sick may experience mild to moderate and severe symptoms and could be fatal especially to seniors, and people with other medical conditions. The inhibitory effects of medicinal plants extract on the replication of several viruses have been reported in the literatures. Hence, this study aimed at identification and documentation of medicinal plants used by Awori people to prevent COVID-19 symptoms. An ethnobotanical survey was undertaken to collect information from herb sellers, traditional healers and other people from different walks of life that gave their consent in granting the interviews in the study area between July and October 2020. Fifty (50) medicinal plant species that belong to 20 families were identified as being used for the treatment of various COVID 19 related symptoms with the highest number of species being used for fever and malaria followed by dry cough and body pains. Trees (18 species) were found to be the most used plants followed by herbs (15 species), shrubs (10 species) and climbers (7 species). High informant consensus factor values were obtained for Azadiratcha indica, Allium sativum, Zingiber officinale and Garcina cola, which were reported to treat fever, sore throat, dry cough and boost immune system respectively. The traditional healers and herb sellers in the study area possess rich ethno-pharmacological knowledge. This study identified and documented many indigenous medicinal plants that can serve as precursors to manufacturing of drugs thus, indicating high potential for economic development.

1 - Lagos State University, Botany, Lagos-Badagry Expressway,, Ojo, Lagos, 001

Keywords:
Covid 19 Symptoms
Medicinal Plants
Awori people
Documentation.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Number: ETH1002
Abstract ID:1075
Candidate for Awards:Economic Botany Section best student paper