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Vol.1 , No. 2, Publication Date: Apr. 10, 2015, Page: 17-24
 in 1987 recognized Herbal Traditional Practice as one of the legitimate Primary Health Care Delivery Systems Worldwide. There has been an upsurge of many illnesses in the society and the problem of fake drugs and the unavailability of genuine drugs has necessitated the use pf plant-based supplements imported from China, India, Japan and other countries or sourced locally for treating or managing these diseases. With improved scientific research method, many of the phytochemicals and other components of these medicinal plants have been identified. The scientific basis of the use of these medicinal plants and the role of some accompanying phytotoxins that can cause severe side effects is also discussed. These medicinal plant drugs should be dose standardized by Government Approved Agencies.&picture=http://www.aascit.org/aascit/decorators/img/journal/890.jpg)
| [1] | M. U. Akpuaka, Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. |
| [2] | S. N. Ezem, Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, Nigeria. |
| [3] | A. S. Ogbuagu, Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. |
| [4] | U. E. Ekpunobi, Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. |
It has been observed that many Igbos of South East Nigeria use medicinal plants to treat and manage their health problems. This paper lists some of these medicinal plants and their chemical constituents. Over 50% of all synthetic drugs were derived mainly from higher plants and were used since antiquity. In the South East of Nigeria, the Traditional Medicine healers dispensed these plant drugs and their practices were shrouded in secrecy and in an unscientific manner and thus were not accepted by orthodox medical practitioners. The World Health Organization (WHO) in 1987 recognized Herbal Traditional Practice as one of the legitimate Primary Health Care Delivery Systems Worldwide. There has been an upsurge of many illnesses in the society and the problem of fake drugs and the unavailability of genuine drugs has necessitated the use pf plant-based supplements imported from China, India, Japan and other countries or sourced locally for treating or managing these diseases. With improved scientific research method, many of the phytochemicals and other components of these medicinal plants have been identified. The scientific basis of the use of these medicinal plants and the role of some accompanying phytotoxins that can cause severe side effects is also discussed. These medicinal plant drugs should be dose standardized by Government Approved Agencies.
Keywords
Medicinal Plants, Health Management, Chemical Constituents
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