Knowledge and use of medicinal plants by local specialists in an region of Atlantic Forest in the state of Pernambuco (Northeastern Brazil)

Luiz Rodrigo Saldanha Gazzaneo,Reinaldo Farias Paiva De Lucena,Ulysses Paulino De Albuquerque

doi:10.1186/1746-4269-1-9

Luiz Rodrigo Saldanha Gazzaneo, Reinaldo Farias Paiva De Lucena + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-4269-1-9

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Abstract

The study of local knowledge about natural resources is becoming increasingly important in defining strategies and actions for conservation or recuperation of residual forests. This study therefore sought to: collect information from local populations concerning the use of Atlantic Forest medicinal plants; verify the sources of medicinal plants used; determine the relative importance of the species surveyed, and; calculate the informant consensus factor in relation to medicinal plant use. Data was obtained using semi-structured forms to record the interviewee's personal information and topics related to the medicinal use of specific plants. The material collected represent 125 plants, distributed among 61 botanical families, with little participation of native plants. This study demonstrated that local people tend to agree with each other in terms of the plants used to treat blood-related problems, but cite a much more diverse group of plants to treat problems related to the respiratory and digestive systems – two important categories in studies undertaken in different parts of the world. The local medicinal flora is largely based on plants that are either cultivated or obtained from anthropogenic zones, possibly due to the use and access restrictions of the legally protected neighboring forest. Despite these restrictions, the species with the highest use-value by this community was Pithecellobium cochliocarpum (Gomez) Macb., a native plant of the Atlantic Forest.

Highlights

Fifteen percent of Brazil was once covered by Atlantic Forest, and less than 5% of the original forest remains today [1], it is still one of the highest biodiversity areas on the planet [2]
BFPlriagaczueirl)oef 1ethnobotanical data collection of the medicinal plants cited by the population in the municipality of Igarassu (Northeast Place of ethnobotanical data collection of the medicinal plants cited by the population in the municipality of Igarassu (Northeast Brazil)
This study sought to: collect information from local populations concerning the use of Atlantic Forest medicinal plants; verify the sources of medicinal plants used; determine the relative importance of the species surveyed, and; calculate the informant consensus factor in relation to medicinal plant use

Summary

Introduction

Fifteen percent of Brazil was once covered by Atlantic Forest, and less than 5% of the original forest remains today [1], it is still one of the highest biodiversity areas on the planet [2]. This forest demonstrates extremely high rates of endemism: up to 74.4% for bromeliads, 55% for trees, and 64% for palms [1,3], and we can infer that there is yet much to be studied and discovered within this ecosystem, especially in terms of its useful resources. Despite the availability of modern medicines, most agrocultural communities (either by choice or for lack of economic resources) still use and detain an extensive pharmacopoeia of native plants [4]

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