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Ethnomedicinal Survey of Medicinal Plants Used in the Treatment of Male Infertilty among the IFA Nkari People of Ini Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Author Affiliations

  • 1Departement of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Benin, P.M.B 1154, Benin City, NIGERIA
  • 2 Benson Idahosa University, PMB, 110, Benin City, NIGERIA

Res. J. Recent Sci., Volume 2, Issue (ISC-2012), Pages 5-11, February,2 (2013)

Abstract

Over the years plants have been used for the management and treatment of male infertility and it’s gradually gaining grounds due to its availability and affordability. Infertility is the inability of a couple to have a pregnancy, after one year of regular sexual intercourse (3 to 4 times per week) without using any contraceptive. This survey was carried out to document medicinal plants used in the treatment of male infertility among the Ifa Nkari people of Ini Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Ethnomedical data were collected by oral interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. A total of twenty respondents which included nineteen (19) males and one (1) female were interviewed. A record of thirty-one (31) medicinal plants belonging to twenty-four (24) families with their botanical descriptions, folk uses, methods of preparation, reported uses, isolated substances and pharmacological effects were documented. The Poaceae family was the most represented with three species followed by Arecaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Liliaceae, Musaceae and Zingiberaceae families which has two species each and others one species. Leaves and roots were the commonest plant parts used closely followed by seeds, bark and fruits. The use of plants for the treatment of male infertility has been on the increase and the current renewed interest in natural products to sustain health globally cannot be overemphasized. It is therefore recommended that the reported anti-infertility plants be investigated to ascertain their safety and efficacy in order to improve the quality of life of man as well as the well-being of married couples.

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