An ethnobotanical survey of herbal male contraceptives used in south- west Nigeria

This survey was carried out in targeted areas of south-western Nigeria to ascertain the patronage of traditional healers for non orthodox contraceptives by males and to take an inventory of plants used for such purposes. Males in south-western Nigeria rarely but do consult traditional healers for herbal contraceptives. The common methods of application include oral decoction, dried powder applied to skin incisions and as rings soaked in herbs and worn on the fingers. The plants Aframonium melegueta and Caricapapaya were the most widely used herbs as male contraceptives. Key words: Herbal, ethnobotanical, male contraceptives, survey, Nigeria.