Department of Botany, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 55, Legon, Ghana.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2009 Dec 10;126(3):492-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2009.09.008. Epub 2009 Sep 15.
Although traditional antimalarial plant remedies in herbal markets are a very important component of the health care system in Ghana this has not been previously studied to allow for the formulation of effective strategy for malaria control in Ghana.
The main objective of the present study was to collect and analyse data on the antimalarial plant remedies in herbal markets in southern Ghana.
Herborists were interviewed using a validated questionnaire and species of plants were identified using a combination of field photo guides, local names and voucher specimens.
A total of 71 herborists (95.8% female) were interviewed. There were potential correlations between different parameters and variables such as ethnic groups, type of vendor and age-groups. The study revealed 29 species of plants belonging to 22 families being sold for the treatment of malaria. The detailed use of these plants is documented. The most frequently mentioned species of plants were Morinda lucida Benth., Indigofera sp. and Nauclea latifolia Sm. The majority (82.8%) of the plant materials were sold in the dried state and 6.9% were sold in fresh state. About 76.2% of the herbal remedies were sold throughout the year while 23.8% were scarce in the dry season. The cost of treatment of malaria using the herbal remedies ranged from 1 to 2 United States Dollars (USD).
Standardization of names and authentication of plant materials using organoleptic, phytochemical and DNA barcoding techniques as well as further research on efficacy, safety and dosage prescriptions for both fresh and dried plant materials being sold for the treatment of malaria in southern Ghana are needed.
尽管草药市场中的传统抗疟植物疗法是加纳医疗保健系统的一个非常重要的组成部分，但此前尚未对此进行研究，无法制定加纳疟疾控制的有效策略。
本研究的主要目的是收集和分析加纳南部草药市场中抗疟植物疗法的数据。
采用经过验证的问卷对草药医生进行访谈，并结合实地照片指南、当地名称和凭证标本来识别植物种类。
共访谈了 71 名草药医生（95.8%为女性）。不同参数和变量之间存在潜在的相关性，例如族裔群体、供应商类型和年龄组。研究揭示了 29 种植物属于 22 个科，用于治疗疟疾。详细记录了这些植物的使用情况。最常提到的植物物种是 Morinda lucida Benth.、Indigofera sp.和 Nauclea latifolia Sm.。大多数（82.8%）植物材料以干燥状态出售，6.9%以新鲜状态出售。约 76.2%的草药疗法全年销售，而 23.8%在旱季稀缺。使用草药治疗疟疾的费用从 1 到 2 美元（USD）不等。
需要对加纳南部销售的用于治疗疟疾的新鲜和干燥植物材料进行标准化命名和植物材料的鉴定，使用感官、植物化学和 DNA 条形码技术，以及对功效、安全性和剂量处方的进一步研究。
