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African Journal of Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicines logoLink to African Journal of Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicines
. 2008 Jun 18;5(4):340–345. doi: 10.4314/ajtcam.v5i4.31288

Ethnobotanical Survey of Anti-Asthmatic Plants in South Western Nigeria

M A Sonibare a,✉, Z O Gbile b
PMCID: PMC2816587  PMID: 20161955

Abstract

The paper presents the results of an ethnobotanical survey of plants used in the treatment of asthma in Ogun, Osun and Oyo states. Twenty markets were visited and forty-six plants belonging to thirty-three different families were collected. The plants' families represented in the collection include, Amaryllidaceae, Apocynaceae, Combretaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Moraceae, Solanaceae, Zingiberaceae and others. Most of the herbs were prescribed along with other recipes, mono-prescription was rare. Modes of administration of the phytomedicines were concoction, decoctions and powdered ash residue.

Keywords: Asthma, ethnobotanical survey, phytomedicines, Southwestern Nigeria

Introduction

Asthma is one of the most problematic diseases of the bronchial tubes. It is estimated that asthma affects approximately 10% of the population in Britain (Howell, 2000). In Nigeria, asthma affects both adult and children with greatly diverse symptoms. However, there is no statistical record of the frequency of occurrence amongst the populace. During asthmatic attacks, the patient's body is deprived of oxygen because he cannot inhale sufficient air. He feels tightness in his breathing. Asthma is considered to be a syndrome or symptom complex characterized by increased responsiveness of the tracheobronchial tree in the wide-spread swelling and narrowing of the tracheobronchial tree (Aguwa, 1986). Many things can trigger off an attack in the asthmatics. Of particular note are inhalations of dust, especially when sweeping an enclosure, of smoke from frying or the burning of dried or wet grass. It has been noted that asthmatic patients suffer more during the wet season in our geographic zone suffering from cough and cold that are the natural twin companions of the ailment.

The symptoms of persons with asthma differ greatly in frequency and degree. Some have episode that is mild and brief, otherwise they are symptom-free. Others have mild cough and wheezing much of the time, punctuated by severe increased breathlessness following exposure to known allergens, viral infections, exercise, or non-specific irritants. Children, in particular, may notice an itching sensation over the anterior neck or upper chest as an early sign of an impending attack, and dry cough, particularly at night. The cough during an acute attack sounds tight and is generally non-productive of mucus (Aguwa, 1986). The orthodox treatment for the management of acute attack and day to day therapy of asthma may involve the use of bronchodilators, expectorants and corticosteroids.

Traditionally, a number of herbs that is good for the respiratory organs are good for asthma. They can be used singly or combined. Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara), Comfrey (Symphytum officinale), Duckweed (Stellaria media), thyme (Thymus serphyllum) and many others are in use. Euphorbia hirta L. is another asthma herb. In East and West Africa, extracts of the decoction of the plant collected in the flowering and fruiting stages are used in asthma and respiratory tract inflammations and are sometimes combined with bronchial sedatives like Grindelia robusta in preparation for inhalation (Oliver, 1959, Kokwaro, 1976).

This study aims at providing information on the available local remedies for asthma as well as presents the mode of preparation and administration of these phytomedicines with a view to promoting further significant studies on the biological activity of the plants.

Materials and methods

In the present study several herbalists and Traditional medical practitioners were visited in Ogun, Osun and Oyo states for anti-asthmatic plants. Recipes were also collected from herb sellers in various notable markets in these regions. The markets visited in Oyo state, in Ibadan town include Bode, Oranya, Ojaoba and Oremeji’ In Iwo town, Idiomo and Araromi markets were visited. Markets visited in Oyo town include: Akesan market and Sabo market. In Osun state, markets visited in Ife town include: Ita-Akogun and Enuwa markets. In Ogun state in Ijebu-Ode town, Oke-Aje market was visited, in Ijebu-Igbo town, Station and Atikori markets were visited. Herb sellers and Traditional medical practitioners in these markets were questioned on their knowledge on the treatment and management of asthma disease. Most of the respondents were women and most of the recipes were only given with their known vernacular names. The herbs collected were identified and authenticated at the Forest Herbarium Ibadan (FHI) by Prof Gbile and also by comparing with herbarium collections. Voucher specimens were deposited at FHI.

Results

Forty-six plants belonging to thirty-three Angiosperm families were collected as plants having anti-asthmatic properties (Table 1). Various plant parts were collected as recipes including stem, bark, fruits, leaves, bulb, seeds and flower. Generally stem barks were predominant in the prescription. Most of the herbs are prepared along with other herbs; monopresciption was rare in the data collected.

Table 1.

Anti-asthmatic plants, families, local names and plant parts used

S/N Botanical names Family Local names Plant parts used
1. Abrus precatorius Linn. Papilionaceae Omisinmisin Leaf
2. Acacia nilotica (Guill. Et. Perr.) O. Ketze Mimosaceae Booni Fruit
3. Aframomum melegueta K. Schum. Zingiberaceae Atare Rhizome
4. Allium ascalonicum Linn. Liliaceae Alubosa elewe Leaf
5. Allium sativum Linn. Liliaceae Ayuu Bulb
6. Anacardium occidentalis Linn. Anacardiaceae Kaju Bark
7. Anogeissus leiocarpus (DC.) Guill. & Perr. Combretaceae Ayin Stem-bark
8. Anthocleista djalonensis A.Chev. Loganiaceae Sapo Bark
9. Aristolochia ringens Vahl Aristolochiaceae Ako-igun Root
10. Bridelia ferruginea Benth. Euphorbiaceae Ira Stem-bark
11. Calliandra portoricensis (Jacq.) Benth Mimosaceae Tude Root
12. Chasmanthera dependens Hochst Menispermaceae Ato Stem
13. Chrysophyllum albidum Linn. Sapotaceae Agbalumo Stem-bark
14. Cocos nucifera Linn. Arecaceae Agbon Fruit
15. Crassocephalum rubens (Juss. ex. Jacq.) S. Moore Asteraceae Ebolo Leaf
16. Crinum jagus (Thoms.) Dandy Amaryllidaceae Ogede-odo Bulb
17. Eugenia aromatica (Linn.) Baill. Myrtaceae Kanafuru Flower
18. Euphorbia hirta Linn. Euphorbiaceae Emi-ile Plant
19. Euphorbia lateriflora Schum. et. Thonn. Euphorbiaceae Enu-opiri Stem
20. Gambeya africana Pierre Sapotaceae Baaka Fruit
21. Garcinia kola Linn. Clusiaceae Orogbo Seed
22. Gongronema latifolia Benth. Asclepiadaceae Madunmaro Root
23. Gossypium barbadense Linn. Malvaceeae Owu Seed
24. Harungana madagascariens Lam. Hyperiaceae Amuje Bark
25. Khaya ivorensis A. Juss. Meliaceae Oganwo Bark
26. Kigelia Africana (Lam.) Benth Bignoniaceae Pandoro Stem-bark
27. Lactuca taraxifolia (Wild.) Schum ex Horn Moore Asteraceae Yanrin Leaf
28. Mimosa pigra Linn. Mimosaceae Ewon agogo Stem
29. Musa sapientum Linn. Musaceae Ogede were Fruit
30 Musanga cecropioides R. Br. Moraceae Agbawo Bark
31. Nauclea africana Wild. Rubiaceae Egbesi Root
32. Nicotiana tabacum Linn. Solanaceae Taba Leaf
33. Olax subscorpioidea Oliver Olacaceae Ifon Root
34. Oxytenanthera abyssinica (Rich) Munro Gramineae Aparun Root
35. Picralima nitida (Stapf.) Th. & H. D Apocynaceae Erin Fruit
36. Piliostigma reticulatum (Stapf.) Th. & H. Dur Leguminosae Abafe, Abafin Bark
37. Saccharum officinarum Linn. Gramineae Ireke Stem
38. Securidaca longepedunculata Fres. Polygalaceae Ipeta Root
39. Strophanthus hispidus DC. Apocynaceae Sagere Bark
40. Terminalia glauccesens Planch. Ex Benth Combretaceae Idi-odan Stem-bark
41. Terminalia ivorensis Chev. Combretaceae Idigbo Stem-bark
42. Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schum. et. Thonn) Taub Mimosaceae Aidan Fruit
43. Uvaria chammae Linn. Annonaceae Gbogbonse Root-bark
44. Vitex doniana Sweet Verbenaceae Oori Bark
45. Xylopia aethiopica Linn. Annonaceae Eeru Fruit
46. Zingiber officinale Rosc. Zingiberaceae Ataile Rhizome
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Enumeration of Recipes

  1. Recipes: Olax subscorpioidea, Euphorbia hirta, Euphorbia lateriflora, Securidaca longipedunculata, Crinum jagus, Allium sativum, Tetrapleura tetraptera

    Preparation: Washed and cut all the recipes into pieces, soak in water in a covered glass jar and leave for three days. For adult: a small tumbler-full is taken three times daily, Children: a small tumbler-full daily.

  2. Recipes: Olax subscorpioidea, Chasmanthera dependens, Calliandra portoricensis, Mimosa pigra, Securidaca longipedunculata, Crinum jagus, Allium ascalonicum, Tetrapleura tetraptera

    Preparation and dosage as in 1

  3. Recipes: Chasmanthera dependens, Picralima nitida, Crinum jagus, Allium ascalonicum, Tetrapleura tetraptera, Alum

    Preparation: Wash Crinum jagus and cut into pieces, mix with the scrapped portion of Tetrapleura tetraptera in a mortar. The mixed herbs are soaked in water with alum. The liquid extract is administered. Adult: one tablespoon-full daily. Children: (diluted form of the extract), a small spoon-full daily.

  4. Recipes: Olax subscorpioidea, Crinum jagus Tetrapleura tetraptera, Chasmanthera dependens, Gongronema latifolium, Xylopia aethiopica, Euphorbia lateriflora, Nauclea latifolia, Gossypium barbadense, Allium ascalonicum.

    Preparation: Wash and cut into pieces all the herbs. A cold maceration of the ingredients is administered. Adult: a small tumbler-full once in three days. Children: one tablespoon-full once in three days.

  5. Recipes: Tetrapleura tetraptera, Chasmanthera depends, Crinum jagus, Allium ascalonicum.

    Preparation: A concoction of the ingredients is made. The concoction is left for about ten hours for effective extraction. Adult: three tablespoons-full twice daily. Children: 1 tablespoon-full twice per day.

  6. Recipes: Tetrapleura tetrptera, Crinum jagus, Xylopia aethiopica, Gossypium barbadens, Olax subscorpioidea, Securidaca longepedunclata.

    Preparation: Wash, cut into pieces and soak in water for three days, then administer. Adult: one small tumbler-full daily. Chidren: a small teaspoon-full daily.

  7. Recipes: Crinum jagus, Chasmanthera dependens, Olax subscorpioidea, Tetrapleura tetraptera, Allium ascalonicum.

    Preparation: Wash, cut into pieces and soak in water for a day, then administer. Adult: two tablespoon-full daily. Chidren: one teaspoon-full daily.

  8. Recipes: Crinum jagus, Allium ascalonicum, Gossypium barbadense, Chasmanthera dependens, Olax subscorpioidea, Xylopia aethiopica, Tetrapleura tetraptera, Calliandra portoricensis.

    Preparation: As in 7. Adult: a small tumbler-full once a day. Children: a tablespoon-full daily.

  9. Recipes: Crinum jagus, Eugenia aromatica

    Preparation:Washed, chopped ingredients are soaked in local gin. The preparation is left for a day before administering. Adult: 1 tablespoon-full twice daily, children: 1 teaspoon-full once in three days.

  10. Recipes: Olax subscorpioidea, Calliandra portoricensis, Aristolochia ringens, Allium ascalonicum.

    Preparation: Wash and cut the ingredients into pieces, soak in water for three days. Adult: 1 tablespoon daily, children: a small teaspoon-ful daily.

  11. Recipes: Anacardium occidentale, Garcinia kola

    Preparation: Extract the cashew juice and mix with sugar, cut the Garcinia kola into pieces and soak in the juice. Administer after a day. Adult: 1 tablespoon-ful daily, children: 1 teaspoon once in three days.

  12. Recipes: Olax subscorpioidea, Mimosa pigra, Calliandra portoricensis

    Preparation: The ingredients are chopped into pieces and soaked in water for three days. Adult: a small tumbler-ful daily, children: a small teaspoonful once in three days.

  13. Khaya ivorensis, Terminalia ivorensis, Piliostigma reticulatum, Xylopia aethiopica, Uvaria chammae, Allium sativum

    Preparation: As in 12. Adult: a glass cupful daily, children: half a glass cupful daily.

  14. Recipes: Strophanthus hispidus, Kigelia Africana.

    Preparation: The ingredients are chopped into pieces and soaked in warm water for three days. Adult: 1 tablespoon thrice a day, children: 1 teaspoonful once a day.

  15. Recipes: Olax subscorpioidea, Calliandra portoricensis, Securidaca longepedunculata, Tetrapleura tetraptera, Allium ascalonicum.

    Preparation: Chop the ingredients in pieces and soak in water. Adult: 1 tablespoon thrice a day, children: a small teaspoon once daily.

  16. Recipes: Chrysophyllum abidum, Allium ascalonicum, Harunganamadagascariensis, Oxytenanthera abyssinia, Aframmomum melegueta, Garcinia kola, Acacia nilotica, Picralima nitida.

    Preparation: Wash and cut into pieces the ingredients, soak in water for two days. Adult: 1 tablespoon twice daily, children: a teaspoonful daily.

  17. Recipes: Abrus precatorious, Vitex doniana

    Preparation: An infusion of Abrus precatorious is administered while the Vitex doniana is used as a rubifacient applied to the patient's chest. Adult: 1 tablespoon-ful thrice daily, children: a teaspoonful twice daily

  18. Recipes: Bridelia ferruginea, Anogeissus leiocarpus, Anacardium occidentale

    Preparation: Cut into pieces the ingredients and boil. Adult: a small tumbler-full thrice daily, children: a small teaspoon-full thrice daily.

  19. Recipes: Zingiber officinale, Anacardium occidentale, Bridelia ferryginea, Allium ascalonicum, Terminalia glaucescens, Anogeissus leiocarpus

    Preparation: Boil the ingredients for 30 minutes. Adult: a tumbler twice daily, Children: a teaspoon twice daily.

  20. Recipes: Olax subscorpioidea, Calliandra pororicensis

    Preparation: Cut into pieces the ingredients and soak in sugar water for three days. Adult: 1 tablespoonful once daily, children: a small teaspoonful once daily.

Discussion

Traditional medicinal practices are known to still be an important component of everyday life in many regions of the world (Bussmann, 2006, Bussman and Sharon, 2006, De Feo, 1992). Plants are known to provide a rich source of raw materials for traditional medicine in Africa and other parts of the developing world. There is hardly any need to stress that majority of Africans living on the continent are forced to resort to traditional practitioners and to use traditional medicine for the continued maintenance of their health and also to alleviate their diverse sufferings. This practice which has considerable economic importance within the cultural milieu of Africa has never been properly codified and standardized.

During the course of the ethnobotanical survey for anti-asthmatic plants, various plants were given as remedies for asthma with the supposedly enough volume / quantity for dosage. This problem of determining the right volume of the herbal preparation that will just be sufficient as remedy for the disease was much confronted during the surveys. There were diversities in the preparation and use of the herbal medicines in the different markets surveyed. For instance, the remedies given at Gate and Orita-Aperin markets in Ibadan were almost the same but there is a wide range of variation in the dosages given. Indeed one of the best-justified criticisms of herbal medicines is the difficulty in determining dosages of bioactive ingredients due to this inherent variation.

A number of medicinal plant species has been shown to be biologically active against various illnesses (Abena et al, 2007, Ajaiyeoba and Fadare, 2006, Ogundare et al, 2006, Neto et al, 2002; Vilegas et al, 1997). Some of the plants encountered in this survey have also been worked upon by Scientists. Odebiyi and Sofowora (1978) reported alkaloids and tannins from the leaves of X. aethiopica; Puri and Talata (1964) reported essential oils and glycosides from the root, bark leaves and fruits of the same plants. Fruit extract of Kigelia africana was reported to have molluscicidal properties by Adewumi and Sofowora (1980). Several alkaloids were isolated from Picralima nitida (Oliver et al., 1965, Pousset et al., 1965). Iwu and Igboko (1982) established the chemical constituents from the extractive of Garcinia kola seeds as flavonoids namely apigenin fisetin and biflavonoid ametoflavone. Such findings have proved the efficacy of some of the plants already worked upon. However, there are some of the plants whose constituents have not been verified. From the general point of view, it has been observed that asthma patients, irrespective of their class in the society or social background avail themselves of the services of both the conventional doctors and the traditional medical practitioners. It would appear that more than ever before, the need for the two types of health care to exist will continue to increase.

Based on the findings on the chemical constituents of the various plant specimens collected, it has been discovered that all anti-asthmatic drugs took their origins from plants. Mineral resources are occasionally part of the herbal preparations. The standard attained in modern medical practice on the treatment of asthma is therefore as a result of continued scientific study and investigation which have thus produced a wealth of information about the nature and physiological activity of the many compounds extracted from plants. Much of the modern scientific medicines have evolved from traditional medicines and this is why in our present circumstances, we must give our traditional system an objective and critical examination.

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