Uses of multiple plants prescriptions for treatment of malaria by some communities in southern Ghana

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: To investigate the uses of medicinal plants for management of malaria by the communities around Kakum National Park in southern Ghana. Materials and methods: Data were obtained through questionnaire interviews with seven herbalists using standard ethnobotanical methods and voucher specimens where obtained of all the species used to treat malaria. Results: A total of 33 species in 21 plant families were identified as being used. Over 75 of the species of plants were used in combinations with one to eight other plant species for the management of malaria. Conclusion: The study has shown that multiple plants prescriptions are most commonly used for the management of malaria in the study area. This makes it very complex to standardise and monitor the uses of the plants let alone further our understanding of the active compounds in any one species. © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.