Use of the cotton plant (Gossypium sp.) by the community of Caxirimbu, in the municipality of Caxias/Maranhão, as an alternative home remedy

Abstract

Since time immemorial, humans have established close ties with plants and animals to treat illnesses. Numerous species are involved in various societies that use plants for medicinal purposes, for example cotton. In many cases, the same plant can be used for multiple diseases, and many species can be used individually, and/or in combination to treat a particular disease. The objective of the research was to learn about the use of the cotton plant as medicine by the rural community of Caxirimbu, in the municipality of Caxias, MA. The methodology consisted in the application of a questionnaire, consisting of 10 questions, to the residents of the Caxirimbu community, where the main focus was the elderly, because they make the greatest use of cotton in their daily lives. The results showed that the community hardly ever stops using cotton, since it is a great ally in the treatment of many diseases and few use the health systems (health posts), and the elderly population tends to pass on their knowledge about the plant to their children, and so on. It is inferred that the use of the cotton plant as an alternative treatment has helped many residents, where one of the interviewees reported that at the age of 50 he never needed to use drugs from the pharmacy, as well as others said they only went to the clinic to measure blood pressure, glucose, or get vaccinated.