Review of Some Herbs with Haemato-Therapeutic Properties in Use in Nigeria

Abstract

Herbal medicine an integral part of "traditional medicine" (TM) thrives in developing countries. Nigeria has a long and rich history of a significant numbers of herbs that are known to have medicinal properties. In Nigeria, there is widespread use of Herbal medicine. Traditional Medicine has met the health needs of communities particularly in low-income developing countries for centuries. It is seen as cheap and readily available alternative to conventional medicines. The aim of this review was to identify a number of plants and herbs that haemato-protective properties that are used commonly in Nigeria as well as justify the need for the preservation of these flora. The are several drawbacks to the use of these useful therapeutic agents; safety concern, efficacy, toxicity profile, challenge with dosing, standardization, poor quality control, lack of determination of lethal dose LD 50, lack of subacute toxicity studies and the fact that these products have not been tested scientifically by way of a randomized controlled clinical trial. Traditional herbal remedies have a role to play in healthcare delivery. Most orthodox drugs are products of herbs that have been scientifically tested by way of clinical trial and toxicity studies. However, formal recognition and integration of traditional medicine into conventional medicine seems the strategic way forward. There is the urgent need for the NAFDAC to regulate the use of these herbal products to prevent the indiscriminate use of these herbal medicines with attendant negative toxic effect on the health of users. There is need for more public awareness to enlighten people particularly in rural areas about the challenges
associated with the use of herbal medicines in a bid to minimizing the potential adverse effects associated with these remedies.