Ethnobotanical Study on Remnants of Quilombo Communities in Rio de Contas - Chapada Diamantina-Bahia

Ethnobotany is an important tool for identification of plants species used by traditional communities for medicinal purposes, also contributing to the preservation of popular culture. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the use of medicinal plants and the search for health in commu...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Silva, Nina C. B., Regis, Ana C. D., Almeida, Mara Zélia
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2012
Country:Brasil
Institution:Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ)
Repository:Revista Fitos
Language:Portuguese
OAI Identifier:oai:ojs.revistafitos.far.fiocruz.br:article/143
Online Access:https://revistafitos.far.fiocruz.br/index.php/revista-fitos/article/view/143
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Plantas medicinais
etnobotânica
quilombolas
Bahia
medicinal plants
ethnobotany
Description
Summary:Ethnobotany is an important tool for identification of plants species used by traditional communities for medicinal purposes, also contributing to the preservation of popular culture. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the use of medicinal plants and the search for health in communities of Barra and Bananal, Rio de Contas, Bahia, Brazil. The ethnobotanical survey was conducted through semi-structured interviews, using forms and participant observation to identify the use of plants for medicinal purposes. Signs and symptoms of these some diseases to which plants were used were classified into categories based on International Classification of Diseases proposed by WHO. Were cited 71 plant species. Mentha spicata was the most cited one (8.5%) and the most representative family was Lamiaceae. Communities primarily use the leaves (55.3%) in the form of tea (64%). Most plants (62.5%) was obtained in backyards and about 24% are collected in different areas of the region. The greatest number of species was shown to relieve symptoms in general (31.5%) followed by problems related to respiratory systems (24.3%) and gastrointestinal disorders (15.8%). The studied communities make extensive use of medicinal plants, possessing great knowledge about these resources.