The use of phytomedicines as effective therapeutic agents in sickle cell anemia

Abstract

Medicinal plants are parts of a plant or the whole plant that possess healing properties and unlike orthodox (synthetic) medicines, which may have adverse side effects, medicinal plant formulations are considerably cheaper and safer to use. In this review, selected medicinal plants with anti-sickling properties which are currently in use for the management of sickle cell anemia are highlighted, their methods of extraction, the various methods of analyzing herbal extracts for anti-sickling activity via efficacy tests and analyses and research findings are also discussed.   Key words: Phytomedicines, Fagara, Niprisan, ajawaron HF, Cajanus cajan