Title: Phytochemistry And Ethnomedicine In Climate Resilience
Authors: Ahmed Attahiru
Volume: 9
Issue: 9
Pages: 29-33
Publication Date: 2025/09/28
Abstract:
Climate change continues to exert profound effects on biodiversity, agricultural systems, and human health. Medicinal plants, which provide primary and complementary healthcare for a significant proportion of the global population, are among the most affected biological resources. Altered rainfall patterns, rising temperatures, droughts, and elevated carbon dioxide levels directly influence the growth, survival, and chemical composition of these plants. These environmental changes modify the synthesis of secondary metabolites, which are critical for the pharmacological value of herbal medicines. Ethnomedicine, which encompasses the traditional use of medicinal plants and related cultural knowledge, has historically offered adaptive strategies for sustaining health during environmental fluctuations. This review examines the intersection of phytochemistry and ethnomedicine in strengthening climate resilience. A systematic scoping review approach was employed, involving database searches of Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar between 2020 and 2025. Inclusion criteria focused on studies addressing climate change impacts on phytochemistry or ethnomedical practices. The review synthesizes evidence on climate induced shifts in phytochemical profiles, traditional adaptive knowledge systems, and integrative strategies for resilience. Case studies from Nigeria and other African regions are highlighted to demonstrate context specific adaptation practices. Findings show that ethnomedicine complements scientific monitoring by offering ecological indicators, timing strategies, and community based conservation, while phytochemistry provides mechanistic understanding of metabolite fluctuations. Challenges include knowledge erosion, inconsistent phytochemical quality, and limited policy integration. Future directions emphasize the need for transdisciplinary collaborations, omics based monitoring, digital documentation of traditional knowledge, and policies that bridge conservation with cultural heritage. Together, phytochemistry and ethnomedicine form a dual foundation for building climate resilient health systems.