From nuisance to necessity: Documenting the ethnomedicinal importance of weeds in Ondo State Nigeria

Abstract

The search for natural medicinal sources has gained momentum due to the adverse side effects associated with conventional medicine. Traditionally, forests and protected areas have been the primary focus for local practitioners of herbal medicine, leading to significant and often unmeasured impacts on forest ecosystems, particularly on tree species that are vital for local medicinal preparations. This study identified and documented 56 medicinal weeds belonging to 49 genera and 25 families commonly utilized in the Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State for the treatment of approximately 75 ailments. Among these, family Asteraceae is the most widely used plant family with diverse functions employed in treating fevers, infections (skin, blood, lung, kidney), digestive disorders (diarrhea, dysentery, liver diseases), inflammatory conditions (sores, burns, arthritis, rheumatism), and cardiovascular ailments. The Amaranthaceae family is frequently employed to address kidney diseases, gonorrhoea, and inflammatory conditions; Fabaceae is recognized for its effectiveness against diarrhea, and Euphorbiaceae is noted for remedies for stomach issues. Whole plants (59.6%) are the most utilized parts in herbal formulations, followed by leaves (19.3%) and leaves and stem (7.0%). Despite their economic potential and role as viable alternatives to tree species in local medicine, the perceived nuisance of these weeds has often led to an undervaluation of their medicinal properties. The insights provided in this study aim to raise awareness regarding the medicinal significance of these weeds and to serve as a foundational resource for researchers interested in exploring their phytochemical and ethnomedicinal properties.