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Assessment of Indigenous Plants Used for Health Care Management in Ukum, Benue State, Nigeria *Zaku S.S., Maiguru A.A., and Victor M. Department of Forestry and Wild life Management, Federal University Wukari Taraba State, Nigeria. Accepted October 06, 2019 Indigenous plants for health care management are plants that are not exotic or introduced from another country but are native of the studied region and which are seen growing in an area and which are used for health care management from time immemorial for both treatment and prevention of diseases. However, the species, type, part of plant and diseases cured, its harvesting methods as well as the factors that influence the choice and use of indigenous plants for health care management are not documented in the study area, hence the present study is an attempt to fill the lacuna. A multi-stage sampling procedure with three stages was adopted for this study. First, a base line survey was conducted in February, 2018 in nine (9) districts of Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State and 335 medicinal herbs collectors were identified as follows; Tsaav 33; Lumbuv 44; Uyam 34; Borikyo 40; Mbatian 43; Aterayange 33; Ityuluv 25; Mbayenge 38 and Mbazun 45 respectively. At 30% sampling intensity, a total of 101 semi-structured questionnaires were administered to generate data for this study using the method of Diaw et al. (2002). Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistical tools and logistic regression at α0.05. The result of the study showed that, a total of eighty-eight (88) indigenous plants used for the treatment of thirty eight (38) ailments were recorded. Also, eight (8) methods of harvesting indigenous plants for healthcare management were identified. Similarly, three factors that influenced the choice and use of indigenous plants for healthcare management in Ukum were determined. Based on the above findings, the followings are recommended; Herbal practitioners and hunters that are familiar with the names of indigenous plants used for healthcare management should disseminate such knowledge to their children, servants and other community members to prevent the loss of the knowledge. All the districts and wards in Ukum Local Government Area should be encouraged to grow indigenous plants that are used for healthcare management on their farms around their houses and as plantations to prevent them from extinction. Seedlings of indigenous plants can be raised in nurseries by Benue State Government and given free to Ukum Local Government Area communities for onward plantation on their farms and around their houses. If people of Ukum plant these seedlings on their farms and around their houses, the pressure on wild indigenous plants used for health care management will be reduced. Harvesting methods that uproot an entire plant or that takes more roots than necessary or cutting of tree tops or palmtops should be avoided as this is capable of killing the entire plants. De-barking round a tree by herbal practitioners is an attempt to kill the plant and should be avoided. However, where de-barking is to be done, debark only one portion and allow the other portion which should be de-barked when the already debarked portion has regained its part. There should be a standardized dosage in traditional medicine. This should be followed by an improved extraction method that should not be mystified. Key words: Diseases, Health care management, Harvesting methods and Indigenous plants. Full Text
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