An investigation into herbs used in paediatric care among the people of Akwa Ibom State was carried out using a structured questionnaire. A total of 50 respondents in 10 Local Government Areas were interviewed. These included 15 herbalists, 12 health workers, 10 traditional birth attendants and 13 farmers. A total of 32 males and 18 females were interviewed. 42 different plant species in 24 families were collected, identified and stored. These plants are used for ailments in children such as; penfigures, cough, diarrhoea, ear infection, jaundice, fever, stomach pain, heat, bedwetting, skin infection, chicken pox, swollen scrotum, convulsion, problems with the spleen, care of the umbilical cord and navel, skin rashes, measles, nose bleeding, scalp sores, pile, ringworm, teething problems, asthma, sickle cell disease, delay in walking. The plant parts used, time and mode of collection, mode of preparation and administration have been documented. A further investigation into the efficacy of these claims is recommended.
