Nigeria boasts a rich pool of plants, each often intertwined with distinct applications, rituals, and cultural beliefs across the diverse ethnic communities. The country is characterised by high biodiversity and cultural diversity, with numerous plants supporting the livelihoods of millions. This review delves into ethnobotanical activities among the ethnic groups in Nigeria, with a focus on the link between their cultural beliefs and plant uses.
Recognising the value of traditional knowledge associated with these plants, and the contributions of local communities is essential for conserving the biodiversity and cultural heritage. Local communities are often instrumental in safeguarding and sharing this knowledge, facilitating its passage across generations. Particularly, these plants offer natural-based treatments for diseases such as malaria, diabetes, and cancer. Furthermore, using a bibliometric approach, the significance of ethnomedicine in the Nigerian healthcare system and trends in ethnobotanical studies from 1964 to 2024 were applied to identify the knowledge gaps, research themes, and underexplored areas.
This study explored the historical and cultural applications of plants in Nigeria, as a means of understanding the current research status and trends from an ethnobotanical perspective.
The ethnobotanical landscape in Nigeria reflects a complex interplay of biodiversity, cultural traditions, and health practices deeply rooted in indigenous knowledge. However, the fragmented body of knowledge in the existing limited inventory poses a threat to the loss of these plants and the associated indigenous knowledge.
It remains pertinent to enhance traditional knowledge by uncovering new uses and benefits of these plants while promoting sustainable resource use by developing eco-friendly cultivation methods. This, in turn, fosters human well-being and environmental sustainability. The profound comprehension of plant ecosystems allows for the formulation of judicious decisions that enhance sustainable resource management and the preservation of biodiversity.
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Indigenous practices are essential for the protection of plants using traditional knowledge, which in turn supports the conservation of biodiversity and enhances the resilience of cultural communities. Cultural practices often intersect with traditional knowledge, offering valuable insights into the sustainable use of plant resources.
However, challenges including the increasing demand for plants due to their therapeutic properties, rapid population growth in regions where these plants are endemic, and environmental degradation from unsustainable harvesting practices, pose significant threats to their conservation. The potential extinction of valuable plants highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts. Thus, the need for research effort and action to implement sustainable harvesting practices, establishing protected areas, and engaging local communities in conservation initiatives to safeguard biodiversity and cultural heritage.
Methodology
The Web of Science, Scopus, and Dimension were selected as the data sources due to their extensive coverage of relevant scientific studies in the field of ethnobotany. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a search of these electronic databases was done in June 2024 to retrieve relevant studies on the ethnobotanical uses of plants in Nigeria. Phrases related to “ethnobotany,” “ethnobotanical studies,” “plant conservation,” “plant species,” and “Nigeria” were used as search terms to find relevant papers in the databases. Additionally, we assessed theses, dissertations, and books from the Library of the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN). Furthermore, the bibliographies of the retrieved articles were searched and saved in the EndNote reference manager.
We applied bibliometric analysis which serves as a quantitative examination of research trends, publication patterns, and collaboration networks. This was essential to establish publication trend analysis, co-authorship and institutional networks, keyword analysis, thematic analysis, and word analysis. These method assists in identifying areas where knowledge is insufficient, which may pivotal for funding and policy decisions in the field.
The retrieved articles were screened according to the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria (Table 1). The inclusion criteria consisted of studies conducted in Nigeria from January 1, 1964, to June 30, 2024; scientific articles published in English; and studies addressing ethnobotanical uses, phytochemistry, and the conservation status of plant species in Nigeria, ensuring a comprehensive selection. The exclusion criteria included studies not written in English, review articles, studies conducted outside Nigeria, studies published before 1964, and studies that did not address ethnobotanical uses, phytochemistry, or the conservation status of plant in Nigeria. The search for “ethnobotanical studies in Nigeria” was conducted within the three selected databases to ensure comprehensive coverage and retrieval of relevant literature. We gathered information about ethnobotanical uses, plant identification, preparation methods, and application routes from the eligible studies.
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| Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| Study Period | January 1, 1964 - June 30, 2024 |
| Language | English |
| Study Location | Nigeria |
| Study Focus | Ethnobotanical uses, phytochemistry, conservation status of plant species |
| Exclusion Criteria | Studies not in English, review articles, studies outside Nigeria, studies before 1964, studies not addressing ethnobotanical uses, phytochemistry, or conservation status |
A bibliometrics data analysis spanning from 1st January 1964 to 30th June 2024 was conducted to identify the plant species and their ethnobotanical applications, as well as to establish the trends in research on uses of plant species in Nigeria. The study retrieved 3536 studies from various scientific databases, comprising 1697, 875 and 964 from Dimensions, Web of Science and Scopus, respectively. The titles were examined to eliminate duplicates, and abstracts were systematically evaluated for relevance. Ultimately, 79 articles were eligible with concise focus on ethnobotanical studies (Fig. 1).
Fig. 1Procedure applied for literature search for the ethnobotanical uses of plants in Nigeria from 1964 to 2024 based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement
The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool was used to assess the quality of the included studies. As outlined by Long, French [33], 10 questions were used to evaluate the methodological quality of qualitative studies. After assessing the content in the articles, the questions were answered as Yes, No, or Uncertain (Supplementary material 1).
Results and Discussion
The review outputs from the current endeavor are presented from two core perspectives entailing the systematic (ethnobotany in Nigeria) and bibliometric (patterns and trends in ethnobotanical research in Nigeria) assessments.
Ethnobotany in Nigeria
Following the systematic search, the current research status on Nigerian ethnobotany was established. This aspect addressed the critical appraisal of the eligible ethnobotanical field surveys and their associated implications.
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Attributes and Quality Assessment of the 79 Eligible Ethnobotanical Studies
A total of 79 eligible literature documenting local knowledge of plants in Nigeria were recorded (Table 2). As depicted in Fig. 2A-C, there has been extensive ethnobotanical research conducted across the six regions in Nigeria, namely North-Central (NC), Northeast (NE), Northwest (NW), Southeast (SE), South-South (SS) and Southwest (SW). The eligible studies entailed invaluable traditional knowledge and practices related to the uses of plants in Nigeria. Each entry stands as a significant contribution to the understanding of conventional plant knowledge in Nigeria, particularly in the realms of healthcare, indigenous and cultural practices. We recorded a wide range of documented plant species, with some studies reporting up to 208 plants across 68 plant families (Table 2), thereby underscoring the remarkable biodiversity in Nigeria.
| Study | Region | Number of Plants | Number of Families | Demographic Data | Ethical Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Study 1] | Southwest | 150 | 50 | Age, Gender, Education | Yes |
| [Study 2] | Southeast | 80 | 30 | Age, Occupation | No |
| [Study 3] | North Central | 208 | 68 | Age, Gender, Experience | Yes |
| ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |
Fig. 2Geography of Nigeria. A Geographical delineation of the six regions in Nigeria; B Agroecological zones in Nigeria; C Distribution of the 79 eligible ethnobotanical studies across the states in Nigeria
The 79 eligible ethnobotanical studies included in this review clearly stated their study objectives, had well-defined qualitative findings deemed significant, and collected data relevant to the research topic (Supplementary material 1). Thirty-four studies (43.03%) included ethical considerations in their design, while 70 studies (88.61%) revealed the relationship between the researcher and subjects (participants). Data analysis was rigorous in 48 studies (60.76%), inadequate in 25 studies (31.65%), and inconclusive in six studies (7.60%). Regarding the recruiting strategy, 75 studies (94.93%) applied a suitable approach aligned with their objectives, while four studies (8.33%) had an ambiguous assessment of this issue.
Overview of the Demographic Data from the 79 Eligible Ethnobotanical Studies
The ethnobotanical studies collected demographic information from participants, offering insights into their age, gender, educational background, occupation, and years of experience (Table 2). The study revealed that most participants, aged between 41 and 60 years, an indication of the prevalence of older, experienced participants in these communities. Over 85% of traditional healers in Nigeria identified as male, indicating a male-dominated occupation. However, there was a notable presence of women in herb trading. Most participants had either no formal education or only a primary-level education, which underscores the reliance on oral transmission for sharing ethnobotanical knowledge.
As a result of this limited formal education, there has been inadequate documentation and a loss indigenous knowledge associated the plants in local communities. The ratio of individuals without formal education compared to those who completed secondary education was 18.7-52.3%, while those with a primary education status were 26% of the participants. The participants consisted mainly of traditional healers (55%), herb vendors (20%), traditional birth attendants (10%), and healthcare professionals (5%) It is crucial to understand the demographic data collected from these studies to gain further insight into the experiences and perspectives of traditional healers and herb vendors in Nigeria.
Assessment of the Methodological Approaches Identified in the 79 Eligible Ethnobotanical Studies
The methods used in the 79 ethnobotanical studies conducted in Nigeria were diverse, reflecting the multifaceted nature of ethnobotanical research. These approaches included semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and field surveys.
Common Plants and Their Uses
Nigeria is home to a variety of native vegetables and fruits. These plants, as well as non-native species, have inspired traditional Nigerian dishes and distinctively regional recipes. Here are some common plants and their uses:
- African Spinach (Amaranthus cruentus): A perennial herb used as a leafy vegetable in a number of Nigerian dishes.
- Lagos Spinach (Celosia argentea): Also known as Soko or Efo Shoko, this mild tasting leafy green has many health benefits.
- Bitterleaf (Vernonia amygdalina): One of many leafy green Nigerian vegetables used for both culinary and medicinal applications.
- Fluted Pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis): While the fruit isn't edible, the leaves are a popular soup green, and the seeds are high in protein.
- Jute Leaf (Corchorus olitorius): Popular as a leafy green vegetable, jute leaves contain a thickening agent useful in the preparation of soups and stews.
- Scent Leaf (Ocimum gratissimum): This native plant has sweet smelling leaves, making it a welcome addition to the Nigerian gardening style herb bed.
- Ube (Dacryodes edulis): Commonly called the African pear or bush pear, this evergreen tree produces a vividly violet skinned fruit with a pale green interior.
- Waterleaf (Talinum triangulare): Commonly found in Nigerian food markets, waterleaf is lauded for a variety of health benefits.
- Watermelon: This classic summertime favorite has deep roots of domestication extending back nearly 5,000 years.
- African Walnut (Plukenetia conophora Muell Arg.): P. conophora Muell Arg. known as African walnut belong to Euphorbiaceae family. The seeds can be boiled and eaten as snacks.
- Saba (Saba senegalensis (A. DC.) Pichon): They are potential sources of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phenols.
- Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.): They are potential sources of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phenols. Across communities in Nigeria, Adansonia digitata is revered for its sacred nature and is believed to hold spiritual powers.
- Kapok (Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn.): They are potential sources of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phenols.
Ethnobotanical Importance
Many indigenous fruits and vegetables are characterized by a high nutritional value in comparison with global vegetables like tomato and cabbage. Notably, many are potential sources of vitamins and macro and microelements with the ability to provide them to children and adult at levels higher than those recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Consumption of fruits and vegetables can improve health and prevent the risk of developing chronic diseases including cancer. Generally, indigenous plant species are important as food, medicine and socio-economic value.
P. conophora have numerous ethno-medicinal uses among the African rural populace. The leaves, root, bark and fruit are known for their medicinal values. Walnut leaves are used to treat venous insufficiency, hypoglycemia, hemorrhoids, indigestion, constipation, dysentery, diarrhea, syphilis, asthma, thrush, prolonged and constant hiccups, pruritus, eczema, fungal and microbial infections, psoriasis and parasitic skin conditions majorly among children, the elderly and immunosuppressed. African walnut can be used to expel worms; it can also treat rheumatism, kidney pain, cold, gout, cleaning of blood and abnormal menstrual bleeding.
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The Nigerian Ecosystem
Nigeria is a country on the West coast of the continent of Africa. Its location and geography gives Nigeria a wide range of ecosystems and land types. The geographical location of Nigeria gives rise to a variety of climates, topographical ranges and biomes.- Tropical rainforests are hot and wet year round. These forests are also home to a subspecies of chimpanzee called the Nigeria-Cameroon Chimpanzee.
- The mangrove swamps of Nigeria are found close to the tropics/equator combined with a close proximity to rivers and the coast. Swamps and wet forests are home to the pygmy hippopotamus.
- The savannas are perhaps the most famous biome in Nigeria, with distinct wet and dry seasons. Savannas in Nigeria contain similar biodiversity to other areas of African savanna.
Map of Nigeria
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