Medicinal plants popularly used in the Xingó region - a semi-arid location in Northeastern Brazil.
The aim of this study was to identify plant species among the diverse flora of the caatinga ecosystem that are used therapeutically. Research was undertaken in the municipalities of Piranhas and Delmiro Gouveia, in the Xingó region (state of Alagoas, NE Brazil). In order to identify the medicinal plants used in this region, semi-structured questionnaires were applied. The species cited were collected and sent to the Xingó Herbarium for taxonomic analysis. The relative importance (RI) of each species cited was calculated to verify their cultural importance. The therapeutic indications attributed to the species were classified under 16 body systems. A total of 187 medicinal species were cited, from 64 families and 128 genera. The main indications for medicinal plant use were against common colds, bronchitis, cardiovascular problems, kidney problems, inflammations in general, and as tranquilizers. Approximately 16% (30 plant species) were versatile in relation to their use, with an Relative Importance value over 1, having been indicated for up to nine body systems. The body systems that stood out the most were: the respiratory system, the gastrointestinal system, and infectious diseases. Most cited plant parts used for medicinal purposes were flowers, leaves, and inner stem bark.
Departamento de Biologia, Area Botânica, Laboratório de Etnobotânica Aplicada, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros s/n, Dois Irmãos, Recife, Pernambuco, 52171-030, Brazil. ccastelobranco@yahoo.com.br
Cecília de Fátima C B R
Cde F
Almeida
Elba Lúcia Cavalcanti
EL
de Amorim
Ulysses Paulino
UP
de Albuquerque
Maria Bernadete S
MB
Maia
D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D016208:Databases, Factual; D003889:Desert Climate; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D029001:Herbal Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D008875:Middle Aged; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000145:classification*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
D010936:Plant Extracts