Ten Medicinal Plants Commonly Found Around Lagos

Lagos, Nigeria is an urban area that is highly populated and commercial. Before the influx of people from all over Nigeria and a rapid increase in commercial activities, people had lots of space to plant trees and vegetables. The story has changed now. It is quite difficult to find forests within Lagos and its suburbs. It has been reported that Lagos has 0.2% of its forest left.

However, as you drive or go around Lagos, you will be amazed to find that there are still lots of plants that grow:

• In abandoned building and places
• Open areas
• By the roadsides and curbs
• Parks and school grounds

Trees provide lots of things that we need including medicine. So despite living in Lagos, your cure is still around you. Below are 10 plants that will provide a cure from common ailments like malaria to serious health conditions like HIV and cancer. They are surprisingly commonly found growing in Lagos.

1. Bitter leaf tree is known botanically as Vernonia amygdalina. Every part of bitter leaf is useful for healing while the leaves are used in cooking and healing. Read here for more about bitter leaf uses for health.

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2. Indian almond; called fruit in Lagos and known botanically as Terminalia catappa. All parts of the plant are used medicinally for high blood pressure, erectile dysfunction issues, skin issues, inflammatory issues, hepatitis, diabetes, fevers, body pains, etc. Read here for more about Indian almond tree. 
3. Neem tree is commonly referred to as dogonyaro tree and known botanically as Azadirachta indica. The leaves were popularly used to treat malaria before. Neem tree has numerous uses and can be referred to as a “cure all”. In India, it is referred to as “village pharmacy”. Read here for more about neem tree.
4. False ashoka tree is known botanically as Polyalthia longifolia. Thanks to the efforts of Lagos State Tree Planting campaign, there are more trees especially false ashoka tree; commonly called masquerade treeor German tree in Lagos. The name Polyalthia is from many cures in Greek. They are commonly found along busy roads because they are effective in reducing noise pollution caused by traffic. False ashoka tree has numerous uses from all its parts and is also used against cancer, diabetes, HIV, high blood pressure, inflammation, etc. Read here for more about the medicinal uses of false ashoka.
5. Mango trees are called Mangifera indica. Every part of this tree is useful for treating  many ailments.
6. Moringa oleifera is the botanical name for the tree whose part are now popularly used to treat many ailments. It is usually just called moringa. The parts that are most commonly used in Nigeria are the seeds and leaves. Read here for more about the uses of different parts of Moringa oleifera.
7. Pawpaw tree is known botanically as Carica papaya. It is also called papaya in English and ibepe in Yoruba. Pawpaw fruits are delicious and provide a lot of nutrition. All parts of the pawpaw tree are used medicinally. Read here for more about pawpaw seeds, here for more about pawpaw fruits and here about pawpaw leaves.
8. Uraria picta is the botanical name of plant that is called alupayida in Yoruba, dakushe in Hausa and Obuodo in Igbo. Uraria picta has a long history of use in Ayurveda and Chinese Traditional Medicine. It has numerous uses.
9. Gmelina arborea is one of the trees that have been planted by Lagos State and this explains why you see lots of them around too. It is commonly called melaina in South West Nigeria. The fruits, root, bark and leaves are used for healing many ailments because of their many beneficial properties to health.
10. Delonix regia is the botanical name of a popular tree known as flame of the forest tree, flamboyant tree, Poinciana tree, etc. It is called sekeseke tree in Yoruba. The leaves, bark, seeds and flowers are used for healing. These trees are easy to recognize because of their beautiful red flowers which are abundant. They also have long flat pods which contain seeds.

Even though Lagos is almost devoid of forests, there are still trees and plants that grow around us. We need to realize that trees are crucial to our existence so that we can stop felling them for little or no reasons. We need to join hands with Lagos State Government. Plant more and fell less.

Have you got more trees to add to this list? Leave your comment, feedback and question below. Follow on Twitter @heal2bwell.