Vol. 15 No. 88 - 96 (2024): Assessment of Medicinal Plants used for the Treatment of Cough in Abeokuta- South Local Government Area of Ogun State

Cough which is a symptom of respiratory illness affect people of all ages and medicinal plants
have been used for treatment of various ailments for ages. However, indigenous knowledge
about medicinal plants is slowly disappearing because of lack of documentation of these
precious endowments. This study was carried out to document medicinal plants that are used
for cough in Abeokuta-South local government of Ogun State. Fifty respondents which
comprised the herb sellers and traditional healers were interviewed on plants, plants parts

and mode of preparation of the plants use for cough. Data obtained was subjected to ethno-
botanical indices which are Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) and Use value (UV). A total

number of 25 plants from 19 families were used for the treatment of cough. The RFC for all
plants species ranged from 0.04 – 0.38. The most frequently mentioned plants were
Anacardium occidentale (0.38), Cola acuminata (0.30) and Garcinia kola (0.28). Other plants
recorded in this study are Abrus precatorius, Aframomum melegueta and Ficus exasperata.
The highest use value was recorded in Adansonia digitata (0.16), Allium sativum (0.12) and
Alstonia boonei (0.12). Leaves were the dominant part used for the treatment of cough. The
modes of preparation were concoction, decoction and maceration while the mode of
administration is orally. The represented plant species belong to family Amaryllidaceae,
Malvaceae, Apocynaceae and Fabaceae. This study revealed the diversity of plant species used
for the treatment of cough and the inventory contributes to database of valuable plant
resources in Nigeria.