Levantamento Etnobotânico de plantas medicinais na comunidade rural São Francisco, Tefé-Amazonas.

Abstract

The quantity and variety of plant species spread across the world is immeasurable, sparking the interest of scholars and researchers in their investigation. The use of plants as a therapeutic alternative for those with difficult access to the healthcare system is quite common. Information on the use and handling of medicinal plants is knowledge that has been transferred through several generations, making it necessary to investigate the relationship between man and the plant. For this reason, the present work aims to verify and analyze the knowledge about medicinal plants according to their traditional use, of family groups in the São Francisco Community, located in the municipality of Tefé, Amazonas. Information was collected through an interview using a structured form, containing questions relating to medicinal plants. A total of 87 interviews were obtained with permanent residents of the community. The data collected resulted in 90% using medicinal plants, of which 38 species were mentioned, distributed in 28 families, highlighting Lamiaceae, followed by Zingiberaceae, Meliaceae and Piperaceae. The most mentioned plants were Plectranthus barbatus (boldo), Zingiber officinale (Mangarataia) and Carapa guianensis (Andiroba). Regarding therapeutic indications, the most cited were: stomach pain (15.7%), flu (9.9%), colic (8.5%), inflammation (8.1%) and infections (8.1%). Therefore, the study of traditional knowledge has a great contribution to knowledge regarding the correct use of plants, avoiding poisoning or adverse reactions, in addition, it helps in the discovery of new drugs and raises awareness of the preservation of several species of native plants.