Abstract
Bredemeyera floribunda Wild (Polygalaceae), also known as pau-de-ovo is a medicinal plant used to treat snakebites, as tonic and fortifiers to treat fatigue and exhaustion. The aim of the present study was to document the knowledge of herbal sellers in the preparation of the so-called “B. floribunda fortifier” and to compare the plant root content with the recommended nutritional values and the permitted limit for medicinal plants. The study revealed that, unlike other regions of Brazil, in the Midwest region, the root of the plant is used as food to treat fatigue and exhaustion. The contents in B. floribunda root decreased in the following order: Ca > K > P > Na > Fe > Mg > Si > Mn > Zn > Cu. Daily intake of 30 grams of B. floribunda roots are considered as an excellent source of Cr, Cu, Mn and Se for people 19 to 50 years of age according to the RDA. In addition, Cu and Fe showed content above the established limit for medicinal plants stipulated by other countries. The root of the plant has low K, Mg, P, Na and Zn content. When the contents in roots of the plant are below the oral dose of reference, consumption of this plant can be considered safe and without risk to human health. On the other hand, concentration of elements such as Cu, Fe, Ni, Al, Cr and Se exceeding the allowable limit may cause serious health problems due to prolonged ingestion and large amounts consumed daily. The Brazilian legislation does not establish a permissible limit of macro- and micro-elements in medicinal plants; thus, the results presented in this study will contribute to the Brazilian public health policy on medicinal plants.
Highlights
The Brazilian legislation does not establish a permissible limit of macro- and micro-elements in medicinal plants; the results presented in this study will contribute to the Brazilian public health policy on medicinal plants
The use of traditional medicine and the remedies employed on it has been encouraged by World Health Organization, since their secular use could confirm their efficacy as medicine [1]
The main objective of this study was 1) to report the method of preparation of the so-called “B. floribunda fortifier” and its dosage, 2) to compare the contents of B. floribunda roots detected in [28] with tolerable maximum intake levels established by Dietary Reference Intakes (RDI) for males, females and lactating aged 19 - 50 years [30], and 3) to compare the values with those recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) and other countries for medicinal plants
Summary
The use of traditional medicine and the remedies employed on it has been encouraged by World Health Organization, since their secular use could confirm their efficacy as medicine [1]. The medicinal plants represent over than 50% of all drugs in clinical use in the world [3]. Brazil is considered to be the rich country in terms to plant diversity known to science [4]. Bredemeyera floribunda Wild is a Polygalaceae, popular known as raiz-de-cobra (Portuguese for snakeroot) e pau-de-ovo (Portuguse, Brazil) [5]. The most popular use to B. floribunda is still against snake venom [6], but rural population uses it to treat amoebic dysentery, rheumatism and as diuretic [7], and as a tonic [5], its use is indicated against dermatitis and insect bites [8]. The fortifying effect is much sought after by rural population, who uses shaved roots added to water to provide energy and boost immunity
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