ETHNOBOTANY STUDY OF VEGETABLE SPECIES WITH THERAPEUTIC PURPOSES FROM A RURAL COMMUNITY IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF BARBALHA, CEARÁ, BRAZIL

Sara Tavares De Sousa Machado,Paulo Ricardo Batista,Cícera Norma Fernandes Lima,Jéssica Pereira De Sousa,Joice Barbosa Do Nascimento,Denise Bezerra Correia,Cícero Damon Carvalho De Alencar

doi:10.18542/ethnoscientia.v5i1.10279

Sara Tavares De Sousa Machado, Paulo Ricardo Batista + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.18542/ethnoscientia.v5i1.10279

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Abstract

From the beginnings of mankind man recurs to natural resources for the treatment, cure and prevention of various diseases through the use of medicinal plants. The objective of this study was to revitalize and identify the knowledge regarding plant species with therapeutic purposes used by the traditional Santo Antônio community, Barbalha, Ceará, Brazil, with the aim of assisting chemical and pharmacological studies. The methodology was based on semi-structured interviews to explore informant’s knowledge surrounding medicinal species and to highlight those considered more versatile. 27 species were described, distributed across 21 distinct families, of which the most representative was the Anacardiaceae family. From these species, 05 have gained prominence regarding their versatility: Chenopodium ambrosioides L., Helianthus annuus L., Bauhinia variegata L., Anethum graveolens L., Passiflora cincinnata Mast. In general, the leaf was the most used plant part. As for preparation method, infusion prevailed. For therapeutic purpose, a greater use in disease cases involving problems such as scarring, hypertension, anxiety and diabetes was observed. Most of the indications reported by the local community coincide with findings in the literature, thus, this research may serve as a subsidy for pharmacological and chemical studies which may lead to the discovery of new herbal medicines.

Highlights

IntroductionHumanity has sought alternatives to deal with physical and psychic illnesses
Since antiquity, humanity has sought alternatives to deal with physical and psychic illnesses.Such care differs according to the communities' social culture over the years
From the scientific point of view, studies prove the benefits obtained through the medicinal use of plant species, despite their natural origin some plants have harmful substances and many are unaware of the real effects of these substances in the organism (FRANÇA, 2008)

Summary

Introduction

Humanity has sought alternatives to deal with physical and psychic illnesses. Such care differs according to the communities' social culture over the years. Cultural concepts are of utmost relevance in the construction of knowledge that involves the health-disease process (SIQUEIRA, 2006). In Brazil, it is evident that the knowledge and medicinal use of plant species especially by quilombola, riverine, rural, traditional and indigenous communities remains an important therapeutic resource in the management of diseases, especially because it is accessible and inexpensive (VÁSQUEZ; SANTANA; NODA, 2014). It is believed that care taken through medicinal plants is favorable to human health provided the user has prior knowledge of its purpose, risks and benefits. From the scientific point of view, studies prove the benefits obtained through the medicinal use of plant species, despite their natural origin some plants have harmful substances and many are unaware of the real effects of these substances in the organism (FRANÇA, 2008)

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