Exploring the Distribution and Therapeutic Potential of Medicinal Plants: Nature’s Pharmacy for Disease Treatment

Background and Objective: Various indigenous plants are used in traditional medicine to treat ailments like malaria, infections and digestive disorders. Common plants are valued for their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. This study presents an ethnobotanical survey of the flora and medicinal plants on the University of Maiduguri Campus, Nigeria, focusing on their diversity, distribution and ethnomedicinal uses. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional survey at the University of Maiduguri Campus, Nigeria, used purposive and snowball sampling to recruit participants knowledgeable in traditional medicine. Data collection involved structured interviews, field observations and plant sample collection. Descriptive statistics summarized participant demographics and plant usage, while Chi-square tests assessed associations between demographics and usage patterns. Analysis was conducted using SPSS with a significance level of p<0.05. Results: The survey identified a wide variety of medicinal plants, with the family Fabaceae exhibiting the highest occurrence (54.12%), followed by Asteraceae (23.01%) and Anacardiaceae (12.11%). Among the plant types, herbs were the most abundant, followed by trees and shrubs. The medicinal properties of these plants were diverse, with a notable emphasis on their anticancer properties, which were the most common, followed by antimalarial applications. The study also highlighted conservation concerns, with 8% of the identified species being endangered, including Detarium microcarpum. This survey underscores the importance of documenting and preserving the ethnobotanical knowledge of the region, particularly considering the potential therapeutic applications and the risk of biodiversity loss. Conclusion: The findings provide valuable insights into medicinal plant usage on the University of Maiduguri Campus, highlighting plant diversity and traditional applications. This documentation aids in understanding local ethnobotanical knowledge and supports future conservation.