Ritual use of plants with possible action on the central nervous system by the Krahô Indians, Brazil

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to document the use of plants, probably acting on the central nervous system (CNS), in rituals carried out by the Kraho Indians, who occupy the cerrado biome in the central region of Brazil. The 2 years of fieldwork were guided by methods of anthropology and botany. The local shamans have indicated 286 formulas, consisting of 138 plant species in 50 uses that could be associated with some type of action on the CNS; of which 98 formulas, 87 plants and 25 uses, appear to involve psychoactive properties, such as: 'to get slow', 'stimulant effect', 'to calm down', 'to enhance memory', 'to reduce anxiety' and 'to induce sleep'. Phytochemical and pharmacological literature data were queried to establish any correlation between indigenous knowledge and scientific indications, for each one of the 138 plant species. Studies were available for 11 of these plants; and for two of them, scientific data coincided with indigenous information.

Brazilian plants with possible action on the Central Nervous System: a study of historical sources from the 16th to 19th century

“…In a review focused on plants possibly acting/having effect on CSN indicated by 26 native Brazilian ethnicities , it was observed that families with the highest frequency of reporting were Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Rubiaceae and Solanaceae, among others. Two other ethnopharmacological studies with the same focus as this review verified that the Fabaceae, Sterculiaceae, Asteraceae and Rubiaceae families Giorgetti et al are also present among reports given by members of the Krahô tribe (Rodrigues & Carlini, 2005); while Asteraceae is dominant among the Sesmaria MataCavalos quilombola (Rodrigues & Carlini, 2004). In a review study on psychoactive plants used by Mexican indian tribes (Díaz, 1977), it was also observed that among the most frequently mentioned families, the Solanaceae, Asteraceae and Fabaceae families were to be found.…”

Investigation of plant extracts in traditional medicine of the Brazilian Cerrado against protozoans and yeasts

“…Kielmeyera coriacea pau santo The aqueous leaves extract is used against malaria, schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis, fungal and bacterial infections (Audi et al, 2002). This plant is used in rituals carried out by the Krahô Indians (Rodrigues and Carlini, 2005). Schinus terebenthifolius aroeira da praia Flowers, stalks and leaves are used for the treatment of tumors and leprosy (Schmourlo et al, 2005).…”

The use of medicinal plants by an indigenous Pataxó community in NE Brazil

“…Many studies were made on the healing flora used in Brazil's traditional medicinal practices, among them are the research of the medicinal plants used by the Pataxós of Monte Pacoal, analyzed by Thomas (2001); the study of Rodrigues & Carlini (2005) who analyzed the 'Krahô tribes' use of plants affecting the central nervous system; Morais et al (2005) that described the use of medicinal plants by the Tapeba tribe of Ceará; Coutinho et al (2002) who studied the medicinal use of the flora by Indian Communities from Maranhão; Begossi (1996) and Begossi et al (2000;2002) who studied the medicinal plants in the Atlantic Forest, focusing on knowledge of the caiçaras (rural inhabitants of the Brazil's Atlantic coast); and Milliken & Albert (1996;1997) the medicinal plants used by the Yanomami Indians. In a wider study, the medicinal and poisonous plants used in NE region of Brazil were described from Maranhão to the state of Bahia in a recent survey (Agra et al, 2007;2008).…”