Ethnostudy and Usage of Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms in Some Parts of Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

Indigenous knowledge and use of edible and medicinal mushrooms in some parts of Anambra state were investigated. Eleven local government areas of the state (Anambra) were randomly surveyed in which six hundred and fifty-six households were interviewed. A well-structured questionnaire was designed to obtain crucial information from the respondents. Residents of Anambra State had indigenous knowledge of mushrooms and their use. Findings revealed that residents of Anambra State consumed edible mushrooms as food and medicine equivalent to USD 7.70. The study showed that more than 85% of respondents interviewed had eaten edible mushrooms as food. Only 2% of them used some of the mushrooms as medicine for treatment of diseases. It was clearly observed that respondents who consumed edible mushrooms because their medicinal importance was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those who did not consume them for the same purpose. There was no significant (P > 0.05) difference among the respondents who used edible mushrooms as an alternative to meat and fish when compared with those who did not use them in a similar manner. Investigation indicated that mushrooms served as an alternative source of income to rural people of Anambra State. Information gathered from respondents on the use of edible and medicinal mushrooms would form a baseline for further studies on ethnomedicinal practices among people of Nigeria and other nations of Africa.