Nigerian Folklore Medicinal Plants with Potential Antifertility Activity in Males: A Scientific Appraisal

In spite of the many achievements in health care delivery in the current century as evidenced by the rapid progress and expansion of orthodox medicine, people in Nigeria like in most of the developing countries lack regular access to essential medicines. For these people, faith in and popularity of traditional methods have not decreased because modern medicine is unlikely to be a tenable treatment alternative primarily because of its high cost. The cost of modern medicine is constantly increasing with improvements in modern health technology and in many cases is inappropriate to the immediate needs of people in developing and underdeveloped countries. On the other hand, medicinal herbs are widely available and affordable, even in remote areas. In addition, consumers believe that herbal medicines are safe because they are “Natural”. The constant resort to medical herbalism has however, thrown up certain health challenges arising from the side and unwanted effects of these herbs on the human anatomy and physiology. One such health condition is male infertility or sub-fertility as a result of the effect of medicinal herbs on the male reproductive organs. This review attempts to document those nigerian medicinal plants that possess the potentials to reduce male fertility particularly as demonstrated from the results of basic and allied medical sciences research and published in the peer reviewed scientific literature.
Source: Research Journal of Medicinal Plant - Category: Complementary Medicine Source Type: research