MEDICINAL FLORA OF KEBBI STATE: ASSESSING THE ROLE OF TREES IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE

This study was carried out to assess the different medicinal values of tree species in Kebbi State. Structured questionnaires and direct field observation were used to collect data on the medicinal trees from three hundred and sixty respondents across villages in Kebbi State. The results obtained revealed a total of 45 medicinal trees belonging to 21 Families were identified as being used for treating different ailments in the study area in which Anacardiaceae is the most common Family whereby the leaves and the bark are mostly used for medicine. The medicinal trees identified had multiple uses while some were effective as mixtures. The respondents used to extract different parts of the trees for medicinal purposes to treat various ailments. Most of the respondents are male within the age range of 41-50 and married individuals constitute the highest number of respondents. The majority of the respondents are farmers and have low literacy in Western education and they got the idea of planting trees through self-initiative. In Kebbi South only 20.83% of the respondents have planted trees for medicinal purposes. 22.5% in Kebbi North and 25% in Kebbi Central. The majority of the respondents planted trees for environmental protection. Medicinal plants were highly utilized in the study area. The parts mostly used are the leaves, barks, fruits and roots through decoction and drinking once, twice or thrice daily depending on the nature, types or intensity of the ailments. The result of the study also shows that there is a high diversity of medicinal trees and traditional knowledge on the use, preparation and application, which is still maintained among local people in the study area. More trees, herbs and shrubs are used for medicinal purposes in the study area. And this shows that there is a need for urgent conservation of these medicinal trees for sustainability