Ethnomedicinal significance and conservation status of tree barks sold in herbal markets in ibadan, southwest nigeria

The study involved an ethnobotanical survey of tree barks sold in herbal markets in Ibadan Metropolis, their ethnomedicinal uses and their conservation status. Three herbal markets were visited, while 15 herb sellers were interviewed. Thirty-nine tree barks were collected from three herbal markets, and their ethnomedicinal uses were documented, ranging in their use for the treatment of fevers, respiratory infections, skin infection, gastro-intestinal problems and reproductive problems among many others. Twenty-one of them are considered abundant, while the rest were found to be endangered, critically endangered or vulnerable, with three of the tree barks yet to be identified. The identified tree species cut across 24 plant families with Caesalpiniaceae having the highest frequency of plant representatives. Information from 15 herb sellers interviewed were also documented. The authors advocated for sustainable harvesting of tree barks for the trees to survive and undergo bark re-growth.