Taxonomic Evaluation of the Medicinal and Economic Values of some species of Indigofera L.(Leguminosae- Papilionoideae)

Abstract

Investigations on the medicinal and economic values of eight species of Indigofera from Eastern Nigeria were carried out. This is with a view to documenting the outcome which will serve as a data base that will provide basic phytochemical, pharmaceutical and industrial information on which further researches could be based. Results from this investigation revealed that various vegetative and reproductive organs of these taxa are important medicinally and economically. To this end the significance of these plant organs in traditional medicine as well as their potential as foreign exchange earner were documented. Emphasis on these plants stemmed from their popular usage in alternative medicine in Nigeria particularly by the people of Eastern Nigeria and the need to conserve these species occasioned by the rapid and indiscriminate loss of biodiversity.