A REVIEW OF OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES IN CONSERVATION AND USE OF MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS IN NIGERIA

Nature deposited in Nigeria several beneficial plant materials especially medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) for the treatment of ailments through herbal preparations, and for other culinary, traditional, medical and pharmaceutical uses. Preparation of natural medicine and production of herbal remedies by use of MAPs have proved to be a great alternative to the substandard production, cost and inaccessibility of synthetic orthodox medicines to rural dwellers.Despite the opportunities, there have been serious challenges in conservation and use of medicinal and aromatic plants in Nigeria. The opportunities and challenges in the conservation and use of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) in Nigeria were therefore reviewed in this paper. Vital recommendations were also made as solutions to the challenges. Cultivation and inclusion of MAPs in cropping systems, inclusion of natural medicine and herbal products in healthcare delivery system, production of raw materials, income generation throughexportation, etc are some opportunities in conservation and use of MAPs in Nigeria. Challenges include: difficulty to cultivate some species and varieties, over-exploitation of medicinal and aromatic plants, adulteration of herbal products, threatened/endangered plant species and biodiversity losses, deforestation and urbanization, overall quality, safety, efficacy, preservation and dosage of herbal remedies, cultural practices, lack of standardization and documentation, ignorance, poverty and illiteracy among rural dwellers, lack of proper education of the masses and prioritization of species to be conserved, lack of conservation programmes, etc. Recommendations include: Sustainable harvesting and deliberate cultivation of MAPs, establishment of medicinal plants conservation centres in Nigeria, documentation and digitization of information on medicinal plants, protection of wild species in-situ, and ex-situ, cultivation in botanical gardens, training of traditional medicine practitioners (TMPs) and herbalists by means of workshops, seminars or courses to educate them on some important aspects of their practice.