Preserving traditional medicinal plant use: A review of indigenous wisdom in Nigeria

Indigenous knowledge systems form the backbone of traditional healthcare practices across Nigeria, reflecting a deep-rooted cultural relationship between people and their natural environment [ 1 ] [ 2 ]. This review examines traditional medicinal plant use across Nigeria, synthesising insights from 3,536 academic sources, of which 79 were analysed in detail. The studies document 962 plant species from 144 botanical families, illustrating a rich ethnobotanical heritage. Frequently cited species included Carica papaya L. and Vernonia amygdalina Delile, each mentioned 42 times. The Fabaceae family was particularly prominent with 127 species recorded. Trees made up 55% of the documented species, highlighting the ecological importance of forests in traditional healing systems. The review identified 78 health conditions treated with these botanicals, with the most common being malaria (33.51%), cancer (22.23%), and cough (21.33%). Leaves (41%) were the most utilized part, followed by bark (21%), roots (15%), fruits (7%), and seeds (7%). Decoction was the primary preparation method, along with infusion, powdering, and maceration. Although oral administration was the most common, topical applications for skin ailments were also prevalent. By cataloguing and analysing this vast body of ethnobotanical knowledge, the review highlights the urgent need to preserve the indigenous medicinal heritage of Nigeria. The findings reaffirm the significance of traditional medicine in contemporary health systems and advocate for the documentation, conservation, and respectful integration of indigenous knowledge into wider healthcare and research frameworks. Publication History Article published online: 05 March 2026 © 2026. Thieme. All rights reserved. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany