Ethnobotany utilization of shea butter (<i>Vitellaria paradoxa</i> C. F. Gaertn) in two selected local government areas of Kaduna, Nigeria.

Abstract

The study investigated ethno-botany utilization of Vitellaria paradoxa in Kaduna State, Northern Guinea Savannah eco-region of Nigeria. One hundred and sixty (160) copies of questionnaire were randomly administered in two areas: Igabi (Mando, Afaka) and Chikun (Buruku, Udawa). The choice of the chosen study areas was greatly influenced by the concentration of the respondents (users and markets) and availability of the species. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results revealed that most respondents (34.3%) were between 21 – 30 years’age bracket and 49.52% were married with 38.1% having 11-15 household size. Majority of respondents (41.9%) of the had secondary education and 52.4% were herbs trader. V. paradoxa was a valuable ethno-medicinal plant species in the study area and it was being used in treatment and prevention of various ailment such as yellow fever (82.50%); bees and wasp stings (77.50%); treatment of wound (100%); waist pain (90.00%); skin problem (86.25%); rheumatism (86.25%); bone dislocation and fracture (96.25%); back ache (71.25%); arthritis (100%) and pain killer / reliever (86.25%) Methods of application employed by the respondents include; rubbing (100%); direct on the wound (86.70%); mix with cream / lotion (100%) and inhaling in hot water (93.30%). Aboriginal utilization investigated shown that majority of the respondents used V. paradoxa oil for cooking (57.5%); soap making (86.70%); wood preservation (15.00%); cake baking (17.50%); jam making (57.5%) and cosmetics (61.70%). The percentage of male was 46.7% while that of their female counterpart was 53.3%. The aboriginal processing techniques commonly used by the respondents include: picking/harvesting of fruits(67%), washing of fruits (97%), de-pulping (100%), drying(100%), seed selection(63%), seed cracking (100%), roasting of kernels (76%), milling of kernels (100%), boiling of ground kernels (94%), kneading(80%), mixing (100%), filtration (100%), solidification (100%) and packaging (25%). It is recommended that for sustainability and conservation of the species, plantation establishment should be encouraged in all our forest reserves.