Medicinal Plant Use in Ghana: Advancement and Challenges

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.