Ethnobotanical studies of folklore phytocosmetics of South West Nigeria.

CONTEXT

Phytocosmetic is an important aspect of folklore medicine of many cultures whose records and information are scanty.

OBJECTIVES

This study inventoried the various plants used as folklore cosmetics in some parts of Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, and Lagos States of Nigeria by administering semi-structured questionnaires.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The survey was carried out between February 2010 and August 2013 through a semi-structured interview; questionnaires were given to obtain information on the local names, morphological parts used, and part(s) of the body where cosmetic preparations are applied.

RESULT

In this study, 80 species belonging to 39 families were identified with members of the Fabaceae, Asteraceae, and Euphorbiaceae most often mentioned.

CONCLUSION

This study is able to record the remaining available information on phytocosmetics in traditional medicine orally passed down through generations in South West Nigeria.