CONSERVATION OF SCARCE LOCAL MEDICINAL PLANTS

Local medicinal plants play important roles in the livelihood sustenance and health care of rural and urban dwellers in Nigeria. However, overexploitation, unsustainable harvesting methods, deforestation, uncontrolled logging, overgrazing, urbanization and commercial agriculture have endangered several important local medicinal plants populations. Conservation of these plants in protected areas is, therefore, necessary for sustainable supply, research, and preservation of their genetic resources. As part of ATHMSI cardinal objectives, some of the scarce medicinal plants are selected for ex-situ conservation in our medicinal plants farm located at Gbongan, Osun State, Nigeria. ATHMSI is open for collaboration or funding in the areas of propagules collection, research on propagation, breeding, and conservation related areas.

SELECTED SCARCE MEDICINAL PLANTS in Nigeia

S/No Name Yoruba Name Uses
1 Senecio abysinicus Amunimuye Memory enhancer
2 Picralima nitida Abeere Cough and Haemorrhoid
3 Enanthia chlorantia Awopa, Osopa Malaria
4 Xylopia aethiopica Eeru Spice
5 Massularia acuminata Orin Pako Oral hygiene
6 Zanthoxyllum xanthoxyloides Orin ata Oral hygiene
7 Bulchozia coriacea Wonderful cola Malaria
8 Khaya ivorensis Oganwo Malaria, Memory enhancer
9 Gladiolus daleni Baka Pile
10 Aristolochia ringens Akogun Pile
11 Uvaria chamae Eruju Pile
12 Dinnetia tripetela Pepper fruit Malaria

Notes of the meeting between KwaZulu-Natal Traditional Healers and African Traditional Medicine Supporters Initiative (ATHMSI)

Notes of the meeting between KwaZulu-Natal Traditional Healers and African Traditional Medicine Supporters Initiative (ATHMSI), at the Traditional Medicine Laboratory, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban

27 July 2017

Present

KwaZulu-Natal, Ethekwini District

  • Mr. Hlongwane (District Chairman)
  • Mrs. Kakayo – Chairman, Traditional Healers Organisation
  • Mr. Cele – Chairman, Vukuzenzele
  • Mr. Khanyile – Chair, NUPHATSA

African Traditional Medicine Supporters Initiative (ATHMSI

  • Prof. Adewunmi
  • Prof. Ojewole

In attendance
Prof. Gqaleni

  1. Prof. Gqaleni led the welcoming and introductions.
  2. He then handed over to the representatives of ATHMSI to lead the discussion.
  3. Prof. Adewunmi made a presentation on the work of ATHMSI with an indication that they would be willing to do the same in KZN if invited.
  4. It was followed by a question and answer session which was led by Prof Ojewole.
  5. A long discussion ensued where the traditional healers wanted to understand the Nigerian situation regarding Traditional Medicine and its practice.
  6. The meeting was adjourned for a short time to allow the KZN parties to caucus.
  7. When they returned they indicated that they would welcome ATHMSI to conduct some workshops but they would need to be adapted to the local situation, involve local traditional healers in presentations.
  8. There will be a need to find some resources to transport the Professors and accommodate them for the period they will be in KZN.
  9. The meeting closed with a photo session.

Download notes of the meeting between KwaZulu