TITLE:
Medicinal Plant Use in Ghana: Advancement and Challenges
AUTHORS:
Susana Oteng Mintah, Mary-Ann Archer, Tonny Asafo-Agyei, Fredreick Ayertey, Peter Atta-Adjei Jnr, Daniel Boamah, Kofi Bobi Barimah
KEYWORDS:
Medicinal Plant Practice, Herbal Products, Herbal Institutions, Policies and Regulations
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.13 No.3,
March
15,
2022
ABSTRACT: In Ghana, the use of medicinal plants is a known and
an acceptable practice common to all the regions and ethnic groups, with about
60% to 70% of Ghanaians depending on traditional medicine for their healthcare
needs. Even though medicinal plants are all over the country and are of great
benefits to a lot of Ghanaians, there is little or no proper documentation on
medicinal plants use in Ghana; how it all started and where it is today, as
well as what is being done to promote its use and some challenges being faced
with its use as a country. This paper therefore sought to assess and compile
generally, Medicinal plants use in Ghana; focusing on the use of some plant
medicine, development and advancement in the herbal medicine practice, as well
as associated challenges. Available literature and information on medicinal
plants use in Ghana were compiled by searching through electronic database such
as Google Scholar, PubMed, Science direct, SciFinder and other relevant
websites, as well as books and reports. A brief history, measures taken to
develop and advance plant medicine use and some specific challenges facing
plant medicine practice and use in the county have been discussed in detail in
this write-up. This compilation is believed to bring to book the value of some
medicinal plants in Ghana and the efforts being made to promote herbal drugs to
complement orthodox medication.