A recent study in South-western Nigeria has found that the nine most commonly used traditional herbal remedies for wound healing may help to prevent infection.

Researchers interviewed 20 traditional Yoruba tribe healers and found that 36 different herbs were used in South-western Nigeria for wound healing.  The study examined the infection rates of these remedies.

Using aqueous and ethanolic extracts in in vitro wound healing assays, the study showed that the top nine herbs cited by the healers all demonstrated strong antioxidant activities. Bridelia ferruginea and Parkia biglobosa were also both found to stimulate fibroblast proliferation. The remaining seven herbal extracts had little effect on fibroblast activity or were cytotoxic.

To see the study, click here.

Image: Parkia biglobosa. Credit: TREEAID on Flickr.