Ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological study of medicinal plants used by a traditional community in Brazil’s northeastern

Abstract

The aim of this research is to make a survey of the socio-environmental characteristics and the ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used in a traditional community in the Brazilian Northeast, Alagoas. The study was made based on visits with the application of a questionnaire with questions related to the socio-economic element and on the diversity of plants used in herbal medicine. The research was made from March/2019 to February/2020, where families and interviewed plant exhibitors were interviewed for botanical identification. The studied community, which were 24 interviewees, was compiled by residents of the Quilombola community from Pau D’arco in Arapiraca city - Alagoas. Residents interviewed, 15 (62.5%) attended between 56 to 80 years, 11 interviewees about 46% were born in the community and 13 (54%) had a fundamentally incomplete nature. At the end, there were mentioned 30 plant species used for phytotherapeutic purposes, from which presents bigger usage as plants against arterial hypertension (Salvia rosmarinus Schleid), diabetes Mellitos (Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth), pain and inflammation (Alternanthera tenella Colla), present the biggest number of species in the community. The species cited are related to numerous medicinal uses, among which there will be predominant associations associated with cardiovascular and inflammatory processes. The tea is the main way of preparing plants. It is perceived that medicinal plants are only widely used by this Quilombola community of and growth of the crops in the backyard are considered a tradition.

Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, and Bioactivities of Mesosphaerum suaveolens (L.) Kuntze

“…Traditionally, M. suaveolens is taken to treat ailments in Brazil, Benin, India, Nigeria, ailand, and Togo. In Brazil, the leaves in the form of infusions, decoctions, teas, and syrups are used to treat ulcers, inflammation, respiratory diseases (asthma, bronchitis, colds, flu, and sinusitis), diseases related to the gastrointestinal tract, pain, dizziness, nausea, nervousness, and constipation [1,[56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64]. e leaves are also used to treat headaches [65], malaria [14,66], fever [67,68], and used to reduce labor time and labor pain [69].…”

Espécies vegetais utilizadas em comunidades Quilombolas: uma revisão integrativa

“…As espécies vegetais desempenham um papel fundamental ao longo da história, especialmente na medicina tradicional das populações, como as comunidades quilombolas e indígenas, transmitindo conhecimentos intergeracionais. É essencial valorizar esse conhecimento, implementando políticas para proteger, garantir o acesso e promover a justa distribuição dos benefícios derivados de sua utilização, incluindo o respeito aos direitos territoriais das comunidades quilombolas (Dias e Mota, 2012;Magalhães et al, 2022).…”

“…Estudos etnodirigidos, que resgatam e documentam esse conhecimento tradicional, são essenciais para avançar na pesquisa agrícola, florestal e medicinal, promovendo assim a justiça social e a preservação da biodiversidade local (Mota e Dias, 2012;Ferreira, Lourenço, Baliza, 2014). Contudo, é crucial ressaltar a necessidade de cautela no uso de espécies medicinais devido aos potenciais efeitos adversos e interações medicamentosas, destacando a importância da farmacovigilância em fitoterapia, iniciativas de extensão e da orientação por profissionais qualificados (Conde et al, 2017;Magalhães et al, 2022).…”

Conhecimento sobre fitoterapia e fatores associados pela população de Pernambuco, Brasil

“…A fitoterapia tem sido utilizada pela humanidade desde a antiguidade como alternativa terapêutica para diversas doenças [1] . Com o advento tecnológico, a prática se expandiu para além da utilização das plantas medicinais em forma natural [2] .…”