Table 4.
Local names, plant parts, and methods of preparation of traditional African medicines used in treating nervous system and mental disorders in Ghana.
| Species | Family | Growth forms | Local names in different languages | Voucher specimen | Frequency of mention | Plant part used | Method of preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ageratum conyzoides | Asteraceae | Herb | Ewe: mima, Nyigbe; Fante: Ahaban Kankan, Efumomoe; Twi: Gu-ekuro, Adwoa-kura, Guakuo, Gu-ekura; Nzema: Ebuakulo; Ga-Dangme: Ntumumu | PA01/UGSOP/GH17 | 3 | Leaves | The fresh leaves are macerated and the liquid obtained is instilled into the nostrils; the fresh leaves can also be boiled, sieved and drank as required. |
| Allium sativum | Liliaceae | Herb | Twi: Gyene Kankan; Ga Adangme: Aya; Hausa: Tafarmuwa | PA02/UGSOP/GH17 | 2 | Whole plant | - |
| Alstonia boonei | Apocynaceae | Tree | Twi: Nyame-dua, Nyamedua, Onyamedua, Osen Nuru; Ewe: Siaketreke Fante: Nyena,Sinuro,Nyamedua; Nzema: Bakunin | PA03/UGSOP/GH17 | 2 | Bark | The leaves are boiled and drank as required |
| Azadiratcha indica | Meliaceae | Tree | Fante: Nim, Aboode,Abodua; Ewe: Liliti; Ga-Dangme: Kintso, Asante: Gyedua; Twi: Nimsi, Dua gyane | PA04/UGSOP/GH17 | 1 | Leaves; Roots | The boiled leaves/roots are drank as required |
| Bertholletia excels | Lecythidaceae | Brazil nut | PA05/UGSOP/GH17 | 1 | Nut; Leaves | The leaves/nuts are boiled and sieved extract is drank as required | |
| Bidens pilosa. | Asteraceae | Herb | Twi: Dwirentwi,Gyinantwi; Ewe: Dzanikpikpi; | PA06/UGSOP/GH17 | 1 | Leaves | The fresh leaves are macerated and the liquid obtained is instilled into the nose |
| Blighia unijucata | Sapindaceae | Tree | Asante: Akye, Akan, Akyibiri, Twi: Akyebiri, Fante: Etedua | PA07/UGSOP/GH17 | 3 | Bark; Roots | The dried barks/roots are boiled and drank as required, the extract can also be smeared on the body |
| Cassia occidentalis. | Caesalpiniaceae | Nkwadowa bɔdeɛ | PA08/UGSOP/GH17 | 3 | Leaves | The leaves are boiled and drank as required | |
| Cinchona pubescens | Rubiaceae | Shrub | PA09/UGSOP/GH17 | 1 | |||
| Citrus aurantifolia | Rutaceae | Twi: Ankaadwea, Akenkaa Ankaatwaree; Fante: Ankama, Ewe: Mumoe; Asante: Ankaatwaree; Dagbani: Nyamsa, Lim buri; Ga-Adangme: Abonua; Hausa: Olomankilisi; Nzema: Domunli; Mole: Leemu; Ga: Kpete | PA10/UGSOP/GH17 | 1 | Peel; Juice | The peels are squeezed directly on the forehead and into the nose | |
| Cocos nucifera | Palmae | Tree | Twi: kube; Ewe: Agone | PA11/UGSOP/GH17 | 1 | Juice | Drinking the fresh coconut juice at will |
| Corchorus olitorius | Tiliaceae | Herbaceous | Ewe: Ademe,Singui; Fante: Oturo; Twi: Otoro | PA12/UGSOP/GH17 | 1 | Jute mallow, Leaves | Hot infusion is made from the leaves and drank as required |
| Cymbopogon citratus | Graminae | Herb | Ewe: Tigbe; Fante: Ti ahaban, Ga-Dangme:Ti-ba | PA13/UGSOP/GH17 | 1 | Leaves; Oil | A decoction is made from the either the fresh/dried leaves and the oily content applied as a massage |
| Eucalyptus globulus | Myrtaceae | Eucalyptus | PA14/UGSOP/GH17 | 1 | Oil | Cold infusion is made and the oily content obtained is rubbed on the body | |
| Khaya senegalensis | Meliaceae | Tree | Hausa: Madwachi, Madachi; Ewe: Logo; Fante: Okum; GaAdangme: Kuga; Twi: Kuntunkuri; Mole: Kuka; Brong: Korobaa; Nzema: Anane | PA15/UGSOP/GH17 | 4 | Bark | The leaves are boiled and drank as required |
| Lantana camara | Verbenaceae | Shrub | Akan,Ananse dokono | PA16/UGSOP/GH17 | 3 | Leaves; Stem | The leaves/stem are boiled and the liquid obtained, drank as required |
| Mangifera indica | Anacardiaceae | Tree | Ewe/Asante/Twi/ Fante Mango, Amango,Ga: Mango | PA17/UGSOP/GH17 | 1 | Bark | A decoction is made from the dried bark and drank as required |
| Momordica charantia | Cucurbitaceae | Herbaceous | Twi: Nyannya, Nyina, Nyinya; Ewe: Kakle; Dangme: Nyanyla, Nyanyra; Ga: Nyanyra; Nzema: Nyanya | PA18/UGSOP/GH17 | 1 | ||
| Musa paradisiaca | Musaceae | Herbaceous | Twi: Brode; Nzema: Banna Ga: Amadaa | PA19/UGSOP/GH17 | 1 | Leaves | The leaves are boiled and drank as required |
| Nephrolepis cordifolia | Nephrolepidaceae | Twi: Mmɛn | PA20/UGSOP/GH17 | 1 | Leaves | The leaves are macerated and the liquid instilled nasally or inhaled. The leaves can be boiled and the extracted liquid used as a bathing liquid. | |
| Occimum gratissimum | Lamiaceae | Shrub | Ewe: Babusui, Dzeveti; Ga: Sulu; Twi: Onunum, Nunum; Asante: Nunum; Ga-Dangme: Sulu; Hausa: Dardoyatagidi; Nzema: Amaloko; Wassa: Aprim; Fante: Onunum | PA21/UGSOP/GH17 | 3 | Leaves | The leaves are boiled and drank as required |
| Passiflora edulis | Passifloraceae | Passion fruit tree | PA22/UGSOP/GH17 | 2 | Leaves; Flowers; Fruit; Leaves | Boiling; grinding | |
| Persea americana | Lauraceae | Tree | Dangme: Paya; Twi: Pee; Akan: Paya, Pae; | PA23/UGSOP/GH17 | 1 | Fresh and dried leaves | A decoction is made from the either the fresh/dried leaves and drank as required |
| Fante: Pae; | |||||||
| Phyllantus nuriri | Euphobiaceae | Herbaceous | Twi: Awommaguwakyi; Ewe: Lane; Krobo: Ofobiokpai, Ofobi; Ga: Omatsoatsi; | PA24/UGSOP/GH17 | 1 | ||
| Rauwolfia vomitoria. | Apocynaceae | Shrub | Twi: Kakapenpen; Ewe: Dodemakpowoe; Fante: Kakapenpen; Ga-Dangme: Apototso; Hausa: Wada, Nzema: Bakapembene; Wassa: Aneene | PA25/UGSOP/GH17 | 7 | Roots | The roots are boiled and the extract obtained are instilled into the nose |
| Rubus fruticosus | Rosaceae | Bramble | PA26/UGSOP/GH17 | 1 | Berries, leaves and flowers | Blend dry leaves and mix with honey | |
| Scoparia dulcis | Scrophulariaceae | PA27/UGSOP/GH17 | 1 | - | - | ||
| Sida acuta | Malvaceae | Branchlets | Ewe: Afideme; Ga: Shwoboto; Twi: Obraneatuto | PA28/UGSOP/GH17 | 1 | Leaves | The leaves are boiled and drank as required |
| Tapinanthus globiferrus | Loranthaceae | Parasitic Tree | Twi: nkranpan Mole: Welebe | PA29/UGSOP/GH17 | 2 | Leaves; stem | The leaves/stem are boiled and the liquid obtained, drank as required |
| Terminalia catapa | Combretaceae | abrɔfo nkateɛ | PA30/UGSOP/GH17 | 1 | Yellowed leaves | The leaves are boiled and the liquid drank as required | |
| Tetrapleura tetraptera | Fabaceae | Tree | Twi: Prɛkesɛ, Zate: Zamturi; Anyi: Aprekese, Kyeke, Fante: Esem, Ewe: Prekese | PA31/UGSOP/GH17 | 1 | Seed | The seeds are ground and the liquid extract drank as required |
| Vernonia amygdalina | Asteraceae | Shrub | Ga:Tatso, Akpa, Dagbani: Biebingira, Ewe: Gbo, Gboti, Asante: Mbonasere, Mponasere; Nzema: Ayeanwole, Ga-Dangme: Tatsho | PA32/UGSOP/GH17 | 1 | Leaves | A decoction is made from the either the fresh/dried leaves and drank as required |