Folk Medicinal Values of Plant Folia among the Ijaw Tribal Community of Bayelsa State, Nigeria

The study examined plant folia used in folk medicine by the Ijaw tribe of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Plant species whose leaves were valued for folk medicine were identified through field visits and interviews of relevant stakeholders. The interviews were conducted through the use of a semi-structured questionnaire matrix. They were focused, conversational and two-way in communication. The diseases they cure and/or prevent were identified as well as their mode of administration. The results obtained revealed that 44 plant species that belonged to 31 families have their leaves valued for medicine and health maintenance in the study area. These consisted of 19 herbs, 8 shrubs and 17 trees. Field observation revealed that leaf harvesting in the identified shrubs and trees were not annihilative as the number of leaves harvested were substantially low compared to the number of leaves possessed by these plants hence harvesting was non-predatory to the mother plants. However, leaf harvesting in herbs could be annihilative and predatory, especially in species with less number of individuals in the study area. The examination of the respondents’ indigenous knowledge on these species revealed that the species would thrive in the study area. Also, the species have multiple utilities values in the study area that could serve as incentives for their cultivation. Strategies that would enhance sustainable supply of the identified species were proposed.