Herbal Medicines Used in the Treatment of Typhoid in the Ga East Municipality of Ghana
Journal Title: International Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health - Year 2017, Vol 23, Issue 4
Abstract
In Ghana, majority of the people patronize herbal medicines for the treatment of both chronic and acute ailments as well as infectious and non-infectious diseases. As such, the use of herbs as medicines in the treatment of enteric (typhoid) fever is very widespread. Aims: This study therefore investigates anti-typhoidal herbal medicinal formulations that are for sale on the Ghanaian market with regards to the contents on the product labels and assesses the various active plant components in the light of documented evidence of their use in the treatment of typhoid. Methodology: Herbal products for the treatment of typhoid were sampled from herbal medicine shops and pharmacies and assessed for the type of formulation, plant and non-plant constituents, dosage, indications, treatment duration and contraindications. Results: Majority of the products (87%, n=16) had registration numbers whilst 13% had none. These anti-typhoid formulations were simultaneously recommended for the treatment of malaria (56%) (9 out of 16 products), jaundice (31%), various types of pains (body pains, headache, menstrual pains) (8%), stress (8%) and fatigue (8%). All the preparations had more than one plant as its active constituent. Forty-four percent (44%) contained 2 plants species as the active ingredients, 37% contained between 3 to 5 plant species, 13% contained 6 to 10 plant species and 6% contained more than 10 plant species. The most frequently occurring active plant constituents of these products were Carica papaya L. (Caricaceae), Morinda lucida (Rubiaceae), Citrus aurantifolia (Rutaceae), Vernonia amygdalina (Compositae) and Azadirachta indica (Meliaceae). Conclusion: In all, thirty-four different plant species belonging to 25 families were found to be present in these products. A literature search on the plants species showed that their traditional use in the treatment of typhoid is well documented and hence their resulting formulations may as well be very effective.
Authors and Affiliations
Emelia Oppong Bekoe, Christian Agyare, Joseph Sarkodie, Dorothy Dadebo
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP312679
- DOI 10.9734/IJTDH/2017/31448
- Views 128
- Downloads 0
Rapid Oral Fluid HIV Antibody Testing in Exposed Babies: A Diagnostic Study
Aims: The usefulness of rapid oral fluid HIV antibody tests has rarely been evaluated in exposed babies. Study Design: A diagnostic survey comparing the performance of oral fluid HIV antibody test and the routine rapi...
Hematological Changes among Sudanese Patients with Acute Viral Hepatitis B
Background: Viral hepatitis B is a common cause of liver disease with considerable morbidity and mortality throughout the world. As the liver is responsible for producing many haemopoietic factors and performs many criti...
Urinary Schistosomiasis and Its Related Anaemia among Children in a High Risk Community in Ghana
Background: Urinary schistosomiasis is a disease of great public health importance and remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality among children globally. The disease, which is often characterized by painful u...
Effect of Pre and Post Academic Examination Stress on Serum Level of Cortisol and Progesterone Circulation amongst Students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Nnewi Campus Anambra State, Nigeria
Stress has become an important issue in academic circle as well as in our society. Academic examination stress was considered an important factor to increased circulation of cortisol and progesterone amongst students. Th...
Daytime Sleepiness among Healthy Adults in South West Nigeria
Aims: Obstruction of the upper airway during overnight sleep is associated with non-refreshing sleep and daytime sleepiness. This may be an antecedent to accidents, declining quality of life, poor concentration, as well...