Author(s): Obi Peter Adigwe, Judith Eloyi John, Olubunmi Jumoke Olayemi and Christianah Yetunde Isimi

Abstract: Four-fifth of people rely on phyto medicines to meet their healthcare needs. This study was undertaken to investigate the use of phyto medicines in preventing COVID-19. A total of 453 respondents participated in the survey via a well-structured questionnaire. Participants were mostly in the age group of 15-29 (38%) and 30-44 years (32%). Most (52%) residing in North-Central Nigeria, with 54% married, 43% singles, 55% have tertiary education and 38% are postgraduates. Thirty-five percent of them used herbs to prevent COVID-19, including ginger (38%), garlic (13%), and lemon (14%). Most respondents (73%) combined different plant parts, taken in form of teas (54%), liquid mixtures (19%), spices (5%), steam inhalation (7%), syrups (3%), and unprocessed (7%), while 38% engaged in self-medication, and 87% endorsed the development of herbal medicines to prevent COVID-19. This gives an insight into the formulation development of phytomedicine-based therapy for future consideration in the fight against the virus.