An ethnobotanical survey of the Savanna: (6) The medicinal plants of Birshin Fulani, Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Ethnobotanical data were collected through Key Informant Interviews (KII) conducted 
with eight experienced traditional herbal practitioners in Birshin Fulani, a rural 
settlement located on the outskirts of Bauchi metropolis, Bauchi State, Nigeria, between 
April and July 2021. The study aimed to document indigenous knowledge of medicinal 
plants used in the management of human ailments within the community. Data were 
obtained using semi-structured interviews focusing on plant identity, local names, parts 
utilized, preparation methods, and therapeutic indications. A total of 37 medicinal plant 
species belonging to 25 botanical families were documented as being utilized in the 
treatment of 21 different human health conditions. Quantitative ethnobotanical analysis 
using the Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) index revealed that Vachelia nilotica was 
the most frequently cited species, with an RFC value of 0.500, indicating its prominent 
role in traditional therapeutic practices in the study area. Other highly cited species 
included Boswellia dalzielii, Pterocarpus erinaceus, Parkia biglobosa, and Detarium 
microcarpum, each with an RFC of 0.375, suggesting their widespread recognition and 
application in local ethnomedicine. Family-level analysis indicated that Fabaceae was the 
most represented family with nine species, reflecting its ecological abundance and 
ethnomedicinal importance in the region. This was followed by Anacardiaceae and 
Combretaceae, each represented by four species. To ensure botanical authenticity and 
facilitate future taxonomic verification, voucher specimens of all recorded plants were 
collected, processed, and deposited in the Herbarium of the Department of Biological 
Sciences, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, Nigeria. The findings 
highlight the rich ethnobotanical knowledge preserved among local herbalists and 
underscore the potential of these plant species as sources of bioactive compounds. 
Further phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological investigations are 
recommended to scientifically validate their therapeutic efficacy, while broader 
ethnobotanical surveys in neighboring communities may help preserve and expand existing 
traditional medicinal knowledge.