Ethnobotanical studies of medicinal plants used in the management of diabetes mellitus in South Western Nigeria.

This survey was carried out in targeted areas of South West Nigeria in order to inventory plants used by traditional healers in the area for the management of diabetes mellitus. One hundred traditional healers who know and use medicinal plants for treating diabetes mellitus were interviewed. The inventory contains scientific, vernacular, common names of the plants used and method of preparation. Thirty-one plants commonly used by traditional healers in the region were identified. The survey shows plants from the Rutaceae, Leguminosae and Cucurbitaceae families are commonly used by traditional healers in South West Nigeria for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.