Abstract
This survey explored the ethnobotanical uses of selected medicinal plants; Adiantum raddianum C. Presl. (Pteridaceae), Lippia alba (Mill.) N. E. Brown (Verbenaceae) and Coronopus didymus (L.) Sm. (Brassicaceae) used for respiratory diseases in Southern Santa Catarina (Brazil). This is timely as the incidence of respiratory disease is increasing in this state. Information was obtained through both interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire administered to 368 people and evaluation of published literature on these plants from scientific peer reviewed journals. The age profile of participants ranged from 20 to over 89 years, with females representing 75% of interviewees. Regarding their use of the medicinal species, 53% reported being users of one of the three plants. Approximately, 52% of users preferred to utilize L. alba, 40% C. didymus and 8% A. raddianum. The primary respiratory diseases reported for use by the plants included cough, flu or cold, lung disorders, bronchitis and asthma. There was also more scientific literature available to support the use of L. alba for treatment of respiratory diseases. This study contributes to the documentation of the medicinal and popular uses of L. alba, C. didymus and A. raddianum in Southern Brazil, in ways that respect and support their conservation. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the biochemical and pharmacological activities of C. didymus and A. raddianum. Key words: medicinal plants, Coronopus didymus, Adiantum raddianum, Lippia alba, respiratory problems, ethnobotanical survey.
Highlights
IntroductionRespiratory diseases are pathological conditions that affect both the upper and lower airways, affecting air breathing
This research was conducted in the city of Siderópolis, which is located in the state of Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil, between geographic coordinates 28°36’S and 49°33’W
It comprises a total area of 2.089,37 km2, corresponding to 2.23% of the total state. It is a city with a subtropical climate (Casan, 1995). This area of study was chosen because the city has a high incidence of respiratory diseases (DATASUS, 2019b), and the climate has favorable characteristics for the development of A. raddianum, L. alba and C. didymus, which can all be found naturally in the region
Summary
Respiratory diseases are pathological conditions that affect both the upper and lower airways, affecting air breathing. Most of these diseases for example, asthma, allergic rhinitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are preventable (OPAS, 2017). According to the Department of Health System Information (DATASUS, 2019a), respiratory problems were the second highest cause of hospitalization in the public health system in the state of Santa Catarina in 2019. In the city of Siderópolis, respiratory problems were the second of such cause (DATASUS, 2019b)
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