Aportes al inventario y caracterización de las plantas medicinales del pueblo originario Lenca de Intibucá, Honduras

Abstract

We carried out a survey with the objectives of identifying the plants for medicinal use, create a socioeconomic profile, and characterize the access to public health services in 8 villages in the municipalities of Intibuca, Yamaranguila, and San Francisco de Opalaca, department of Intibuca, Honduras. A total of 76 persons were surveyed in several visits during the year 2014. The study was exploratory with descriptive scope, non-probabilistic sampling, subjected to the criterion of family belonging to the ethnic group. We identified 95 plants with common names referenced by their traditional and empirical use. The five plants most frequently used were: epazote, rue, chamomile, eucalyptus and sweetgum, consistent with findings from previous studies. However, there are seven plants that we have not identify yet: bambita, chorrito de humo, flor de cute, hierba de esencio, oreja de burro, doctorcito and pascualillo. For the Lenca people medicinal plants are the first choice of medical care in the face of extreme poverty and isolation.