A REVIEW OF TRADITIONAL PLANTS USED IN THE TREATMENT OF EPILEPSY AMONGST THE HAUSA/FULANI TRIBES OF NORTHERN NIGERIA

Authors

  • J. Muazu
  • A. H. Kaita

Keywords:

Epilepsy, Traditional healers, prescription, plants, Hausa/Fulani

Abstract

Five prescriptions used in the treatment of epilepsy amongst the Hausa/Fulani tribe of Northern Nigeria were collected from traditional healers. The five prescriptions containing eight plants were reviewed as in literature to ascertain scientific basis of their use in treatment of epilepsy. Securidaca longipedunculata (family Polygalaceace) was reported to have such property; Mitragyna inermis (family Rubiaceae) has alkaloids structurally similar to clinically useful anticonvulsant. Celtis integrefolia (family Ulmaceae) was reported to contain gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) that its deficiency may lead to convulsions. The remaining plants were basically helpful in alleviation of associated symptoms of epilepsy except Centaurea praecox (family Asteraceae) which was reported to have neurotoxic substances that may worsen the disease.

Author Biographies

J. Muazu

Deparment of Pharmaceutical Services, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

A. H. Kaita

Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria

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Published

2008-05-12

How to Cite

Muazu, J., & Kaita, A. H. (2008). A REVIEW OF TRADITIONAL PLANTS USED IN THE TREATMENT OF EPILEPSY AMONGST THE HAUSA/FULANI TRIBES OF NORTHERN NIGERIA. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, 5(4), 387–390. Retrieved from https://journals.athmsi.org/index.php/ajtcam/article/view/443

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 4 (2008)

Section

Research Papers

License

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