Environment and illness in the Calchaquí Valley (Salta, Argentina): phytotherapy for osteo-articular and cardio-circulatory diseases.
The aim of this work is to analyze and discuss the phytotherapy employed for two kinds of diseases, osteo-articular and cardio-circulatory, among the inhabitants of Molinos (Calchaquí Valley, Salta Province, Northwestern Argentina). These diseases take their origin in certain environmental conditions as well as the rural activities characteristic of the zone. The observations and interviews conducted among "medicos campesinos" (traditional healers) and the general population provided valuable information concerning the relationship between man and his environment, as it relates to health-illness processes. As a result of our research, we present a chart of the 25 recorded diseases and the 42 plant species employed in their therapy, considering the organs used, the ways of preparation and administration, as well as the geographic origin.
Martínez
María Rosa
MR
Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Laboratorio de Etnobotánica y Botánica Aplicada, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Paseo del Bosque s/n, 1900 La Plata, Argentina.
Pochettino
María Lelia
ML
Cortella
Alicia R
AR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001118:Argentina / Q000453:epidemiology; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018514:Plant Structures; D010946:Plants, Medicinal
D010936:Plant Extracts