Ethnobotanical study of herbal medicines for management of diabetes mellitus in Dangme West District of southern Ghana

Background Diabetes mellitus is a major threat to human health in the 21st century. Despite existing conventional drugs, it is still difficult to attain optimum glycaemic control among many diabetic patients. The aim of this study was to investigate traditional knowledge and medicinal plants used for management of diabetes mellitus in Dangme West District of southern Ghana. Methods Data was collected from 30 traditional healers by face –to –face questionnaire interviews. Plant samples were collected and processed as voucher specimens following standard ethnobotanical practice. Results About 75.8% of healers mentioned that excessive intake of sugar was the principal cause of diabetes mellitus, 12% mentioned witchcraft while 6% attributed cause of the disease to family history. Twenty species of plants were identified as being used for the management of diabetes mellitus in the study area and the most commonly cited plants were Vernonia amygdalina, Aloe vera and Launaea taraxacifolia. Leaves were the part of the plants commonly used for the preparation of mostly decoctions (75%) and infusions (10%). About 15% of the plant materials were added to food and directly eaten. The main route of administration of herbal preparations was orally by drinking the decoctions. Conclusion In this study, eight of the plants reported as being used for the management of diabetes mellitus had been previously documented as being used for this condition and 40% of the plants had been confirmed as possessing hypoglycemic effects. Nevertheless, scientific investigations in regard to the anti-diabetic effects and toxicity of the herbal preparations traditionally used are needed.