The ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, ethnopharmacology and pharmacological applications of Abrus precatorius L (Fabaceae), an endemic medicinal plant in Nigeria is herein highlighted. In traditional medicine, this plant is useful for treating cough, sores, wounds caused by dogs, cats and mice, mouth ulcer, gonorrhea, jaundice and haemoglobinuric bile, tuberculous painful swellings, skin diseases, bronchitis, hepatitis, schistosomiasis, stomatitis, conjunctivitis, migraine and eye pain. Phytochemical studies of bioactive constituents of Abrus precatorius have been reported. Several types of alkaloids, terpenoids and flavonoids including luteolin, abrectorin, orientin, isoorientin, and desmethoxycentaviridin-7-O-rutinoside, glycyrrhizin, abrusoside A to D, abrusogenin and abruquinones D, E and F were identified from the plant. Various pharmacological studies on A. precatorius showed it possessed antimicrobial, antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities. Abrus precatorius seeds contain abrin, one of the most potent toxins known to man. However, because of the seed’s outer hard coat, ingestion of uncrushed seeds caused only mild symptoms and typically results in complete recovery. In ethnomedicinal practice, seven whole seeds of A. precatorius are ingested in a single dose to aid vision. Ingestion of the crushed seeds causes more serious toxicity, including death. This species is an important medicinal herb which can be used for various purposes. Further scientific study of Abrus precatorius is required to evaluate the acclaimed traditional uses and discover new lead compounds.