Authors : K.P. Osemene, A.A. Elujoba and M.O. Ilori
Abstract: The research pattern in medicinal plants and traditional medicine practices in Nigeria is largely unknown. Hence this study examined such research patterns with a view to determining how the country fared in herbal medicine research and development and also to assess the implication of such findings on the health care system in Nigeria. Factors that mar herbal medicine research were discussed. Descriptive analytical technique was adopted in analyzing the secondary data obtained from the book of abstracts of published research findings on Nigerian medicinal plants and traditional medicines practices for 35 years (1970-2005). Results showed that the most researched areas were in the anti-infective drugs, gastro-intestinal tract drugs, analgesics, cardiovascular drugs, hypoglycemic and mollucicidal in that order. The study also revealed that much research is yet to be done in other vital areas such as hormones, anti-viral agents, Ear Nose and Throat (ENT), hemorrhoids and neurological disorder. Thus, it recommended among other things that herbal medicine research and development should be intensified in the above mentioned least-researched areas if Nigeria intends to meet the health challenges of the 21st century especially the Millennium Development Goals for 2015.
K.P. Osemene, A.A. Elujoba and M.O. Ilori, 2011. An Overview of Herbal Medicine Research and Development in Nigeria. Research Journal of Medical Sciences, 5: 228-232.