Quality and harvesting specifications of some medicinal plant parts set up by some herbalists in the Eastern Region of Ghana
Y. Ameyaw1*, F. A. Aboagye2, A. A. Appiah3
and H. R. Blagogee1
1. Plant Development Department, 2. Industrial and Commercial Unit and
3. Production Department of the Centre for Scientific
Research into
Plant Medicine, Mampong-Akuapem, Eastern
Keywords: Medicinal
plant parts, quality standards, folk methods
* For all correspondence
Abstract
An ethnobotanical survey was carried out in
some districts namely, Akuapem North and South, Kwahu South and the Afram Plains
of the Eastern Region of Ghana. The research was to investigate the quality
standards and harvesting procedures of some medicinal plant parts used in
herbal preparations by herbalists in the region. The results indicate that
quality standards such as specified plant parts, size specification, quality
specification, specified packaging, good storage to prevent dust, growth of
mould and other foreign matter were strictly implemented as required by
Herbalists or Traditional Medical Practitioners in the region.
Introduction
Man has been dependent on plants from time immemorial. His primary
needs, which include food, clothing and shelter are supplied by nature, and
subsequently improved upon through the application of science and technology.
In fact, global exploration and European colonization of
It is estimated that today, plant materials are present in or have
provided the models for 50% Western drugs (Robbers, 1996). The primary benefits
of using plant-derived medicines are that they are relatively safer than
synthetic alternatives, offering profound therapeutic benefits and more
affordable treatment. Over 90% of the drugs in hospitals today have been
introduced the last 50-60years; one can understand the important role that
traditional medicine has played in the past (Boye,
1985). The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates
that up to 80% of the world’s people rely on plants for their primary health
care, since, western pharmaceuticals are often
expensive, inaccessible or unsuitable.
In
In industrialized countries, the use of plants has declined but plants have contributed more than 7,000 different compounds in use today as heart drugs, laxatives, anti-cancer agents, hormones, contraceptives, diuretics, antibiotics, decongestants, analgesics, anesthetics, ulcer treatments and anti-parasitic compounds (Botanic Gardens Conservation International, 2002).
The successful health-care system in most developing countries is due to the support provided by traditional medicine to that of orthodox medicine. The present health status in Ghana would not have been attained without the involvement of traditional medicine in our health delivery system. Available figures show that between 60 – 70% of Ghanaians rely on traditional medical systems for their health needs (Sarpong, 2000).
The aim of this study is to assess the medicinal plant parts harvested and marketed by the indigenous people; plant parts harvested (including size specification), folk methods of medicinal plant collection, unit package/prize, quality requirements (cleaning, drying and storage) and recipe of medicinal plant parts supplied to Herbalists or Traditional Medical Practitioners in the Eastern Region of Ghana.
The study was carried out in two districts, namely; Akuapem North and Kwahu South in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The two districts lie between latitude 5030’N and 7030’N and longitude 0030’W and 1030’W. Kwahu South District covers an area of 5.306 acres while Akuapem North District also covers 6.79 acres of the land surface of Ghana. The two districts are very hilly with the latter district (Akuapem North District) ecological classified as Antiaris – Chlorophora association.
Climate
The average annual temperatures of Kwahu South and Akuapem South Districts are around 25.40C and 27.80C respectively, and the highest peaks are during the main dry season, i.e. December to March and the lowest peaks during the short dry season, i.e. August.
The indigenous people in the survey or catchment areas were interviewed for indigenous knowledge of medical plants collection, quality requirements (cleaning, drying and storage). Questionnaires were used so as to get more representative data about the medicinal plant parts harvested by the indigenous communities involved.
The results presented below provide documentation data on the scientific names, local names, parts harvested, period harvested, collection method, size specification of parts, quality specification, unit packaging of the plant parts and recipe of the medicinal plant parts harvested:
Cryptolepis
sanguinolenta (Lindl.) Schtr.
Family: Annonaceae
Local name: Nibima, Kadze, Gangamau
1a
1b
Plate 1a : Aerial part of the plant Plate 1b : The bi-nature of
species the fruit of the plant species
1c
Plate 1c: Brown seed with hairy appendage
Yellow coloration of cut surface of a root \
Plate 1d: Harvested roots of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta showing yellow colorations
Part harvested: Root
Period harvested: Throughout the year
Collection method: Digging
Size specification: Not larger than 2.5 by 5.0cm
Quality specification: Fresh roots washed, sun-dried free from moulds, other foreign matter and moisture content not exceeding 5.6%.
Unit packaging: 25kg
Recipe: The harvested roots plus other plant materials are used
to prepare anti-malaria decoction.
Clausena anisata (Willd) Hook.
f. ex Benth
Family: Rutaceae
Local name: Sesadua, Samanobere, Eduasia.
Part harvested: Root bark
Period harvested: Throughout the year
Collection method: Digging
Fruits of Clausena anisat
Plate 2: Showing aerial part of Clausena anisata with fruits
Size specification: Not larger than 2.5 by 5.0cm
Quality specification: Fresh roots washed, sun-dried free from moulds, other foreign matter and moisture content not exceeding 5.6%.
Unit packaging: 30kg
Recipe: The harvested roots plus other plant materials are used
to prepare ointment to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
Nauclea latifolia Sm.
Family: Rubiaceae
Local name: Kisia, Ekusiawa, Oyefa, Telede, Nyimo.
A fruit of Nauclea latifolia
Plate 3: An aerial part of Nauclea latifolia showing a fruit.
Part harvested: Root
Period harvested: Throughout the year
Collection method: Digging
Size specification: Not larger than 2.5 by 5.0cm
Quality specification: Fresh roots washed, sun-dried free from moulds, other foreign matter and moisture content not exceeding 5.6%.
Unit packaging: 30kg
Recipe: The harvested roots plus other plant materials are used
to prepare ointment to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
Khaya senegalensis (Desr.)
A. Juss
Family: Meliaceae
Local name: Kuntunkuri, Okum, Logo, Kuga, Madachi
Part harvested: Stem bark
Period harvested: Throughout the year
Collection method: Cutting
Stem bark of K. senegalensis
Plate 4: Harvested stem bark of Khaya senegalensis
Size specification: Not larger than 2.5 by 5.0cm
Quality specification: Fresh bark scrapped free of cork and lichen, sun-dried, free from moulds, other foreign matter and moisture content not exceeding 7.2%.
Unit packaging: 40kg
Recipe: The harvested dried stem bark plus other plant materials are used to prepare tonics for anaemia and appetizers.
Balanites aegyptica (Linn.)
Family: Balanitaceae
Local name: Kobowoa,
Ohwirem, Kokordjo,
Part harvested: Stem bark
Period harvested: Throughout the year
A thorn of B. aegyptica
Plate 5: An aerial part of Balanites aegyptica showing fruits and thorns.
Collection method: Cutting
Size specification: Not larger than 2.5 by 5.0cm
Quality specification: Fresh bark scrapped free of cork and lichen, sun-dried, free from moulds, other foreign matter and moisture content not exceeding 7.5%.
Unit packaging: 25kg
Recipe: The harvested dried stem bark plus other plant materials are used to prepare ointment for the treatment of skin Infection.
Bridelia
ferruguinea Benth
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Tribe: Phyllanteae
Local name: Opam fufuo, Flatsho, Ekpazenra, Kimi.
Part harvested: Leaves
Period harvested: Throughout the year
Brown stem bark of B. ferruguinea
Plate 6: An aerial part of Bridelia ferruguinea with brown stem bark
Collection method: Plucking
Size specification: Mature leaves
Quality specification: Air or sun-dried, free from moulds, other foreign matter, snappy breaking and moisture content not exceeding 8.6% by weight.
Unit packaging: 10kg
Recipe: The plucked dried leaves plus other plant materials are used
to prepare a decoction for the treatment of Diabetes.
Xylopia
aethiopica (Dunal) A.
Rich
Family: Annonaceae
Local name: Hwenteaa, Hwentia, Soo, Ezinli, Tsuo, Kimba
Part harvested: Fruit
Period harvested: October to January
Collection method: Plucking
Size specification: Ripe mature fruits
Quality specification: Fruits must be fresh, air or sun-dried, free from deterioration such as mould growth or rot and other foreign matter.
Unit packaging: 20kg
Recipe: The dried fruits plus other plant materials are used to
prepare an oitment for rheumatoid arthritis, joint pains and a decoction for anaemia and anorexia.
Morinda
lucida
Family: Rubiaceae
Local name: Knkroma
Part harvested: Leaves
Period harvested: Throughout the year
Collection method: Plucking
Size specification: Mature leaves
Quality specification: Air or sun-dried, free from moulds, other foreign matter, snappy breaking and moisture content not exceeding 8.6% by weight.
Unit packaging: 10kg
Recipe: The plucked dried leaves plus other plant materials are
used to prepare a decoction in treating Typhoid fever.
Lippia
multifolia Moldenke
Family: Verbenaceae
Local name: Saanunum, Na suru, Afu-loti.
Part harvested: Leaves or whole plant
Period harvested: Throughout the year
Collection method: Plucking
Opposite arrangement of leaves of L. multifolia
Plate 7: Showing aerial part of Lippia multifolia
Size specification: Mature leaves
Quality specification: Oven drying, free from moulds, other foreign matter, snappy breaking and moisture content not exceeding 8.6% by weight.
Unit packaging: 10kg
Recipe: The plucked dried leaves are used to prepare tea, and
are good for mild hypertension, laxative as well as febrifuge.
Capparis
erythrocarpus Isert
Family: Capparidaceae
Local name: Apana, Patahofuo, kyerabran
Part harvested: Root bark
Period harvested: Throughout the year
Collection method: Digging
Root bark of C. erythrocarpus
Plate 8: Root bark of Capparis erythrocarpus
Size specification: Root washed, peeled and cut into pieces not exceeding 2.5 by 5.0cm.
Quality specification: Air or sun-dried, free from moulds, other foreign matter, snappy breaking and moisture content not exceeding 10.2% by weight.
Unit packaging : 30kg
Recipe: The dried root bark plus other plant materials are used to
prepare
a decoction for treating arthritis.
Zanthoxylum
xanthoxyloides Lam.
Family: Rutaceae
Local name: Yea, Bbun, Kantu, Anyenl, Haato, Faskori
Part harvested: Root bark
Period harvested: Throughout the year
Collection method: Digging
Size specification: Root washed, peeled and cut into pieces not exceeding 2.5 by 5.0cm.
Quality specification: Air or sun-dried, free from moulds, other foreign matter, snappy breaking and moisture content not exceeding 10.2% by weight.
Unit packaging:
per kilo: 30kg
Recipe: The dried root bark plus other plant materials are used to
prepare
an ointment for the skin and joints .
Trichilia monadelpha (Thonn.)
J. Wilde
Family: Meliaceae
Local name: Otan-nuru, Tenuba
Part harvested: Stem bark
Period harvested: Throughout the year
Collection method: Cutting
Size specification: Not larger than 2.5 by 5.0cm
Quality specification: Fresh bark scrapped free of cork and lichen, sun-dried, free from moulds, other foreign matter, snappy breaking and moisture content not exceeding 8.9%.
Unit packaging: 40kg
Recipe: The harvested dried stem bark plus other plant materials are used to prepare a decoction for the treatment of nausea and stomach
pains.
Monodora
myristica Dunal
Family: Annonaceae
Local name: Awerewa, Abotokuradua, Ayerw-amba, Avonoba, Yikwi, Maalai
Part harvested: Seed
Period harvested: October to December
Collection method: Picking
Size specification: Mature fruits with seeds.
Quality specification: Air or sun-dried, free from moulds, other foreign matter, and moisture content not exceeding 5.6% by weight.
Unit packaging: 5kg
Recipe: The dried seed plus other plant materials are used to
prepare a decoction for treating Pile or Hemorrhoid.
Fruit of M. myristica
Plate 9: An aerial part of Monodora myristica
with fruit on a stalk
Piper guineensis Schum.
& Thonn.
Family: Piperaceae
Local name: Sesaa, Sasima, Saseasenea, Gbwisi, Kãl
Part harvested: Seed
Period harvested: October to December
Collection method: Picking
Size specification: Mature fruits with seeds
Quality specification: Air or sun-dried, free from moulds, other foreign matter, and moisture content not exceeding 5.6% by weight.
Unit packaging: 1kg
Recipe: The dried seed plus other plant materials are used to
prepare
an ointment for treating Joint pains.
Gardenia
ternifolia Schum.
& Thonn.
Family: Rubiaceae
Local name: Peteprebi, Namprane, Kptkplbii, Flif, Dasuri
Part harvested: Seed
Period harvested: April to August and September to early November
Collection method: Picking
Size specification: Mature fruits with seeds
Quality specification: Air or sun-dried, free from moulds, other foreign matter, and moisture content not exceeding 5.6% by weight.
Unit packaging: 30kg
Recipe: The dried seed plus other plant materials are used to
Prepare fefe
powder for the treatment of palpitation of the heart.
Ageratum conyzoides
Family: Compositae
Local name: Guakuro, Gu-ekura, Adwowa-kuro
Part harvested: Aerial part
Period harvested: Throughout the year
Collection method: Cutting
Size specification: Required quantity
Quality specification: Air or sun-dried, free from moulds, dust, other foreign matter, and moisture content not exceeding 8.6% by weight.
Unit packaging: 10kg
Recipe: The dried aerial parts plus other plant materials are used to
prepare
a decoction for the treatment of infertility in women.
Discussion
Medicinal plant parts have become
good business for the people of Eastern Region, and Herbalist or Traditional
Medical Practitioners do purchase their requirements from collectors or
gatherers. Since, medicinal plants are mainly harvested from the wild and form
about 50% of Western drugs as specified by Botanic Gardens Conservation
International (2002) and Robbers (1996). Therefore, the above imputes, in terms
of the local names of the correct plant materials on sacks used for collection,
adherence to the right size specification as well as the quality specification
as indicated down the results, that have been given to the plant collectors or
gatherers had brought about uniformity in terms of size, qualities and
avoidance of complications of herbal products (decoction, ointment and
powders).
Conclusion
These measures adopted by Herbalists or
Traditional Medical Practitioners in the Region had greatly improved the
quality and safety of their herbal products. Herbalists or Traditional Medical
Practitioners in other regions should be encouraged to follow the examples laid
down by our colleagues in the Eastern Region of Ghana, since about 90% of
orthodox medicine in use is plant based.
Acknowledgement
The authors would like to thank all those who contributed meaningful to this survey or research, especially, the Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine, Mampong-Akuapem – Eastern Region, Ghana.
References
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43.
ROBBERS, J.M., SPEEDIE and TYLER, V. 1996. Pharmacognosy
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