Documentation of Herbal Remedies Used for Neonatal Care in Traditional Birth Attendant Practices in Anambra State, South East Nigeria

Traditional birth attendants (TBAs) in Anambra State continue to play a significant role in neonatal care delivery, particularly in communities with limited access to formal health facilities. Herbal preparations are frequently administered to newborns for conditions ranging from jaundice and umbilical cord care to fever and feeding difficulties, yet these practices remain largely undocumented. This study systematically records the herbal remedies employed by TBAs in neonatal care across selected communities in Anambra State. A qualitative ethnographic approach was employed, involving in-depth interviews and observation sessions with 35 TBAs identified through snowball sampling across five local government areas. Plant specimens mentioned during interviews were collected and authenticated at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka herbarium. Twenty-two plant species were documented, with Ocimum gratissimum, Euphorbia hirta, and Newbouldia laevis cited most frequently. Preparations were predominantly administered as baths, oral drops, and topical applications. Several plants documented carried potential risks of toxicity in neonates, including species with known irritant or purgative alkaloids. The study calls for urgent pharmacovigilance assessment of frequently used neonatal herbal preparations and the development of culturally sensitive counselling guidelines for healthcare workers engaging with TBAs. Keywords: traditional birth attendants, neonatal care, herbal remedies, Anambra State, pharmacovigilance