Plants Used in the Management and Treatment of Female Reproductive Health Issues: Case Study from Southern Nigeria

Through an ethnomedicinal survey, this case study presents a list of medicinal plants associated with female fertility, pre- and postnatal care among Benin and Warri residents in Southern Nigeria, and their associated ethnobotanical knowledge and practices. Information was obtained from randomly selected traditional healers, tradomedical practitioners, and native midwives from the main tribal groups within the cities using a semistructured open-ended questionnaire. A total of 24 medicinal plant species belonging to 21 families were of ethnomedicinal importance for female fertility, pre- and postnatal care of Benin and Warri residents in Southern Nigeria. Some of the plants include Psidium guajava, Pennisetum purpureum, Oenothera biennis, Aloe barbadensis, Asparagus racemosus, Gossypium hirsutum, Newbouldia laevis, Phyllanthus amarus, and Afrormosia laxiflora. These plants were said to have activities against menopausal symptoms, hormonal effects, fertility, and anti-fertility effects as well as abortifacients, contraceptive efficacy, aphrodisiac properties, treating reproductive tract infections, postnatal complications, relieving uterine bleeding, etc. Herbs and trees are the most used growth forms whereas leaves and seeds are the most cited plant part used in most of the tradomedical remedy preparations. Most of the remedies were prepared from a single and/or multiple plant source with other ingredients. The chapter contributes toward understanding, promotion, documentation, and safeguarding of indigenous knowledge, practices, and resources used in addressing female reproductive issues.