title: Use of medicinal plants by black women: ethnography study in a low-income community.
abstract: Objective To explore beliefs, values and practices related to the use of medicinal plants among low-income black families. Method The research method was ethnography and the participant observation process was done in a low-income community in the peripheral area of the City of São Paulo. Twenty black women were interviewed. Results Two cultural sub-themes, I do use medicines that I learned to make with my mother and with religious practitioners to care for diseases and Home medicines are to treat problems that are not serious, and the cultural theme I do use home medicines to treat simple diseases because I always have them at my disposal, they are free and I don't need a medical prescription represent beliefs, values, and practices related to the use of medicinal plants among low-income black families. Conclusion The development of such practices, which can hide ethnic and social vulnerability, reveals the resilience of low-income black women in the process of confronting problems during the health-illness process.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Patricia Lima Ferreira Santa
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Rosa
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luiza Akiko Komura
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Hoga
authors.affiliation: Department of Social and Work Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mônica Feitosa
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Santana
authors.affiliation: University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Pâmela Adalgisa Lopes
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Silva