FIELD STUDY ON THE USE OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF ASSIS CHATEAUBRIAND-PR(Atena Editora)

Abstract

Brazil is a country with great biodiversity and its flora constitutes an invaluable source of molecules with biological activity that can be explored through use as medicinal or herbal plants. Medicinal plants are those used for therapeutic purposes, and may or may not be cultivated species. The use of medicinal plants is a widespread practice in popular medicine, but there are few studies that report on the ways in which these plants are used, especially in the city of Assis Chateaubriand-PR. As it is an unprecedented work, the objective of this study was to carry out field research to learn about the main medicinal plants and how these plants are used by residents of the city of Assis Chateaubriand-PR. For this, a questionnaire was prepared containing 12 questions such as identifying the interviewees and their relationship with medicinal plants. In total, 72 people were interviewed in September 2022. The average age of those interviewed was 48 years old. The majority only have high school education (44%) followed by an undergraduate degree (31%). Most of those interviewed were residents of the Jardim América neighborhood (39%), followed by Jardim Europa (12%) and the center (11%). All participants stated that they believe in the benefits of medicinal plants and the majority (78%) use this therapy. The main reported medicinal plants used were: boldo (11%), mint (8%), chamomile (7%), lemon balm (7%), rosemary (4%), aloe vera (4%), ginger, carqueja, guaco and fennel (3%). Other plants mentioned, with a percentage equal to or less than 1%, accounted for 46% of the data. The main way of use is tea, (32%), in the form of infusion. The frequency of daily use of medicinal plants was 33% among participants and only 16% used them annually. Family knowledge was the main source of learning how to use medicinal plants, followed by popular knowledge and the internet. More than 90% of respondents recommend the use of medicinal plants to other people and only one respondent accurately reported the name of the active ingredient of a plant he used. It is clear that phytotherapy is traditional knowledge mostly transmitted from generation to generation. However, the internet has proven to be a great help in terms of disseminating this type of knowledge. All interviewees believe in the benefits of medicinal plants and most of them use medicinal plants. This diagnosis points to a high demand and a supply below what is necessary, among those interviewed. This fact shows that there is still great potential for growth both in the field of research and in economic exploration in our country.