ECONOMIC APPRAISAL OF MEDICINAL LEAVES AND HEALTH AMONG RURAL HOUSEHOLDS IN DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

The research focused on the economic appraisal of medicinal leaves and rural health. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the common ailments and diseases cured by medicinal leaves in rural households. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used in the selection of 308 respondents. Data were obtained with the help of well-structured questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics. Most respondents were illiterate and aged with good knowledge of medicinal leaves and their utilization. A large household size with female-headed households that were mostly married dominated. Most medicinal leaves were used in curing ailments and diseases with various methods of utilization. Documentation was lacking and respondents were with great awareness level, but lack knowledge about their chemical compositions which is a gap for another research. The research survey recommends that proper documentation of medicinal leaves should be carried out to avoid extinction.