2022, Vol. 10, Issue 6, Part A

Background: The new corona-virus called the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and COVID-19 originated for the first time in Wuhan, China in December 2019. The virus is mainly transmitted through droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes, speaks or breathes. Most people who fall sick may experience mild to moderate and severe symptoms and could be fatal especially to seniors, and people with other medical conditions.

Aim: The inhibitory effects of medicinal plants extract on the replication of several viruses have been reported in the literatures. Hence, this study aimed at identification and documentation of medicinal plants used by Awori people in Ojo Local Government Area to prevent COVID-19 symptoms.

Method: An ethnobotanical survey was undertaken to collect information from herb traders, traditional healers and other people from different walks of life that gave their consent in granting the interviews in the study area between July and December, 2020.

Results: Fifty (50) medicinal plant species that belong to 20 families were identified as being used for the treatment of various COVID-19 related symptoms with the highest number of species being used for fever and malaria followed by dry cough and body pains. Trees (18 species) were found to be the most used plants followed by herbs (15 species), shrubs (10 species) and climbers (7 species). High informant consensus factor values were obtained for Azadirachta indica, Allium sativum, Zingiber officinale, Citrus limon and Garcina cola, which were reported to treat fever, sore throat, dry cough and boost immune system respectively. The traditional healers and herb sellers in the study area possess rich ethno-pharmacological knowledge.

Conclusion: This study identified and documented many indigenous medicinal plants that can serve as precursors to novel of drugs development thus, indicating high potential for economic development.