University Professor Identifies Herbal Treatment for Epilepsy, Mental Illness

A professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kaduna State University has identified that a plant scientifically known as Ficus Platyphylia, could be used for the management of central nervous system (CNS) disorders.  Ben A. Chindo Said the plant which is popularly known as Gamji in Hausa could also be used to manage epilepsy, depression, insomnia, psychosis, pain, inflammation and gastrointestinal disorders. Prof. Chindo made it known during the second inaugural lecture of KASU tagged “Herbal Medicines: Panaceas or agents of destruction” that Ficus Platyphylia is a deciduous plant found mainly in the savanna regions of the West African coast. As to whether the plant has been used to cure any epileptic patient, Prof. CHindo said that the research was based on claims of traditional medicine practitioners who said that they have used the plant to cure epilepsy and psychosis among others. He stated that “We carried out the research to validate their claims and we found it to be correct based on our scientific evaluation. We carried out the research in Nigeria in collaboration with scientists in New Zealand and Germany. We were able to ascertain the safety and efficacy of the plant for treatment of epilepsy and psychosis among others.