నైరూప్య

A survey of plants used by traditional medicine practitioners in the treatment of HIV/AIDS in Plateau state, Nigeria

Noel N. Wannang, Elijah N. Sokomba

The plants used by herbal practitioners for the treatment ofHIV/AIDS in Plateau state, Nigeriawere studied for documentation. The ethnopharmacological survey involved visitation to the local government areas in the state and a direct interaction with the traditional medicine practitioners. The plants identified were Allium sativum, Andrographis paniculata, Anogeissus leiocarpus, Balanites aegyptiaca, Carica papaya, Cucumis metuliferus,Dialiumguineense,Garcinia kola, Jatropha curcas,Momordica charantia,Moringa oleifera, Nauclea latifola, Parkia biglobosa, Polygala arenaria and Vitex doniana. Generally, an average of three (3) plants were used at a time for a period of 3-4 months. In some instances a cocktail of plants were used for longer duration. Despite the wide claims by the herbalists, there is no any definite proof to whether these herbs actually have the pharmacological properties in curingHIV/AIDS.