Ethnobotanical Survey of some Plants Used for the Management of Hypertension in the Igala Speaking Area of Kogi State, Nigeria

The ethno medicinal applications of plant species used primarily to manage hypertension among the Igala people of Kogi State, Nigeria were surveyed. A total of ten plant species belonging to nine families were found to have varying applications against the disease. The plants include Kigelia africana (Bignoniaceae), Ficus capensis (Moraceae), Crossopteryx febrifuga (Rubiaceae), Phyllanthus amarus (Euphorbiaceae) and Paullinia pinnata (Sapindaceae). Others are Rauwolfia vomitoria (Apocynaceae), Calotropis procera (Aslepiadaceae), Persea americana (Lauraceae), Anacardium occidentale (Anacardiaceae) and Newbouldia laevis (Bignoniaceae). The results are discussed with respect to the morphological types, reported phytochemical constituents and other medicinal uses of the plants. It is concluded that there is need to scientifically evaluate these plants for therapeutic efficacy against hypertension and related cardiovascular disorders that the plants are reportedly used for in the traditional medicine of the Igala people of Kogi State, Nigeria.