Snake bites and scorpion stings are common among rural farmers, especially during the clearing and planting seasons. The use of botanicals for managing snake bites and scorpion stings in various regions of Nigeria remains inadequately documented. Nonetheless, herbs have long been acknowledged as one of the earliest treatments for such injuries. This study aimed to identify indigenous medicinal plants, their preparation methods and dosages, the frequency of their use, and their overall value among the Igede people of Benue State, to preserve traditional knowledge and serve as a foundation for future drug discovery. Data was gathered from traditional medical practitioners (TMPs), herbalists, and herb vendors across six villages in two local government areas of the Igede tribe. The study identified 27 medicinal plants from 21 different families that are used to treat snake bites and scorpion stings. The Euphorbiaceae family was the most commonly utilized (15%), trees made up the majority of plant types (48%), leaves were the most frequently used plant part (42%), and the most common preparation method was cold maceration, typically administered orally (66%). The average relative frequency of citation (RFC), which gauges the level of confidence respondents place in the healing potential of each plant based on its availability, effectiveness, and absence of reported side effects, ranged from 0.06 to 0.26 for the documented species. This survey indicates the ethnobotanical value of many plants in the Igede community.
BT - Salus et Scientia IS - 1 LA - eng M3 - Research Article N2 -Snake bites and scorpion stings are common among rural farmers, especially during the clearing and planting seasons. The use of botanicals for managing snake bites and scorpion stings in various regions of Nigeria remains inadequately documented. Nonetheless, herbs have long been acknowledged as one of the earliest treatments for such injuries. This study aimed to identify indigenous medicinal plants, their preparation methods and dosages, the frequency of their use, and their overall value among the Igede people of Benue State, to preserve traditional knowledge and serve as a foundation for future drug discovery. Data was gathered from traditional medical practitioners (TMPs), herbalists, and herb vendors across six villages in two local government areas of the Igede tribe. The study identified 27 medicinal plants from 21 different families that are used to treat snake bites and scorpion stings. The Euphorbiaceae family was the most commonly utilized (15%), trees made up the majority of plant types (48%), leaves were the most frequently used plant part (42%), and the most common preparation method was cold maceration, typically administered orally (66%). The average relative frequency of citation (RFC), which gauges the level of confidence respondents place in the healing potential of each plant based on its availability, effectiveness, and absence of reported side effects, ranged from 0.06 to 0.26 for the documented species. This survey indicates the ethnobotanical value of many plants in the Igede community.
PB - College of Medical Science. Edo State University Iyhamo PY - 2025 SP - 1 EP - 13 T2 - Salus et Scientia TI - Ethnobotanical survey of plants used for handling snake bites and scorpion stings by “Igede” Tribe of Benue State, Nigeria UR - https://salusetscientia.com/index.php/ses/article/view/10 VL - 1 ER -