Nests of “caba-leão” wasps (Sceliphron sp., Sphecidae) used in traditional medicine by riverine communities of the Jaú and Unini Rivers, Amazon, Brazil: ethnopharmacological, chemical and mineralogical aspects

“…The most toxic signals in subacute studies were observed in males at a dose of 200 mg/kg HERP. These results suggest estrogen-like activity, possibly from the isoflavones in HERP 24 Rodrigues et al [34] The results of the analyses show the main components (inorganic and organic components) of the "caba-leão" wasp nests (Sceliphron sp., Sphecidae) used by "caboclos" as a topical medication to treat mumps and earaches. The ethnopharmacological data collection consisted of samples of wasp nests and soil, as a source of inorganic elements, from the Jaú and Unini Rivers, in the River Negro basin, Amazon, Brazil.…”

Section: N°bibliographic Referencementioning

confidence: 90%

Beekeeping in Brazil: A Bibliographic Review

Araújo¹,

Araújo²,

Viana³

et al. 2020

Beekeeping - New Challenges

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Brazil presents favorable conditions for beekeeping, having a suitable climate; native flowering plants with great potential for the production of honey, pollen, propolis, and royal jelly; and bees adapted to our conditions, tolerant to the main apicultural diseases and highly productive. Through the meliponiculture, the conservation of mainly native forest areas is allowed; therefore, they are the best environments for the creation of native bees and production of by-products of the beehive with quality. The stingless bees are very sensitive to any disturbance due to anthropogenic action. A systematic bibliographical review was carried out in different electronic databases, through descriptors referring to beekeeping in Brazil. The identification of articles and their inclusion occurred between January 2018 and April 2018. The bibliographic research was conducted in the following electronic databases: (1) Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), (2) Public Library of Science (PLOS) Biology, and (3) ScienceDirect. In order to help in the process of standardization of bee products and traceability of the production chain, it was possible to draw a profile of the main bioactive substances of the beehive products of Brazil. It was also possible to relate the benefits of an adequate management of beekeeping and meliponiculture in Brazil.

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“…The earthen nest is crushed, mixed with water and the paste is put on the cheeks of children. Not only in sub-Saharan Africa but also in the Amazon this is practised by ethnic groups to relieve symptoms (killing pain and lowering fever) (42). Minerals in the mud function probably act as pharmaceuticals (43).…”

Section: Waspsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cultural aspects of ants, bees and wasps and their products in sub-Saharan Africa

Huis¹

2020

Preprint

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Background: The order Hymenoptera has about 117,000 known species of which about 20.000 in the Afrotropical zone. The families covered are ants, bees, and wasps. They belong to the suborder Apocrita, characterized by a constriction between the first and second abdominal segments. The purpose of the study was to make an overview of how ants, bees and wasps and their products such as honey are utilized, perceived, and experienced in daily life across sub-Saharan Africa.Method: Ethno-entomological information on ants, bees and wasps in sub-Saharan Africa was collected by: (1) interviews with more than 300 people from about 120 ethnic groups in 27 countries in the region; (2) library studies in Africa, London, Paris and Leiden.Results : Of the order of the Hymenoptera only queens of the ant Carebara vidua are deliberately eaten. Often unintentionally bee larvae are eaten with honey and sugar ants with sugar. Apart from honey being a food item, it is also widely used to treat numerous medical problems, as a stimulant (for the memory) or as a cosmetic. It is also used in naming or wedding ceremonies. In the Qur’an, the medical value of honey is recognized. Seed stores of ants maybe harvested by humans. In the Sudan bee stings are used to cure arthritis; bee venom having bioactive properties. Wasp nests are used to cure inflammations such as mumps. The properties of certain insects are used to convey these treats to persons it is employed to, such as nasty stinging wasps to make dogs vicious. Some stories seem to make no sense like the snake-trapping ants in Madagascar, but a scientific explanation is provided. The looks of certain insects may inspire people to construct stories or have proverbs such as the very narrow waste of wasps, suggesting sterility. Bee swarms and driver ants are feared all over and believed to be employed (by witchdoctors) to punish. Not all stories of events with bees or ants are similar across sub-Saharan Africa. These insects, being social, are also used to stimulate cohesion between people.Conclusion: Ants, bees and wasps in sub-Saharan Africa maybe feared because of their bites and stings. However, the insects or their products are often employed for medical reasons, honey having numerous applications. They are also many stories and believes in which the characteristics of these insects play a role.

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Nests of “caba-leão” wasps (Sceliphron sp., Sphecidae) used in traditional medicine by riverine communities of the Jaú and Unini Rivers, Amazon, Brazil: ethnopharmacological, chemical and mineralogical aspects

Cited by 7 publications

References 33 publications

Draft Genome Sequence of Nonomuraea sp. Strain C10, a Producer of Brartemicin, Isolated from a Mud Dauber Wasp Nest in Nepal

Draft Genome Sequence of Nonomuraea sp. Strain C10, a Producer of Brartemicin, Isolated from a Mud Dauber Wasp Nest in Nepal

Beekeeping in Brazil: A Bibliographic Review

Cultural aspects of ants, bees and wasps and their products in sub-Saharan Africa

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