title: Popular medicinal uses of Calea uniflora Less. (Asteraceae) and its contribution to the study of Brazilian medicinal plants.
abstract: Calea uniflora Less. is widely used in southern Santa Catarina (Brazil), but there are no scientific studies which support its use. Then, this study was proposed to determine of the percentage use of C. uniflora in a city of southern Brazil and documentation of the knowledge that the population has about this species. The survey was conducted with semi-structured interviews using a questionnaire applied to 372 participants. In analyzing the results, it was observed that of the 94.1% who recognized C. uniflora, 74.3% utilize it as a medicinal plant and 65.4% of such knowledge originates in childhood, mainly through the family (84.6%). 93% reported using inflorescences macerated in alcohol or rum; this extract is generally used topically for wound healing and muscle pain. Furthermore, some reported using small quantities of this extract orally to treat cold and flu. Regarding effectiveness and safety, 97% stated an improvement in symptoms with the use of the plant, while 98.5% stated that it has no toxicity. In light of these results, future phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological analyses should be designed in order to ensure rational and safe use of this species.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Plantas Medicinais (LaPlaM/ PPGCA), Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense/UNESC, Avenida Universitária, 1105, Bairro Universitário, 88806-000 Criciúma, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luan S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Plantas Medicinais (LaPlaM/ PPGCA), Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense/UNESC, Avenida Universitária, 1105, Bairro Universitário, 88806-000 Criciúma, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paula S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Cardoso
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Plantas Medicinais (LaPlaM/ PPGCA), Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense/UNESC, Avenida Universitária, 1105, Bairro Universitário, 88806-000 Criciúma, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Michele D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Freitas
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Plantas Medicinais (LaPlaM/ PPGCA), Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense/UNESC, Avenida Universitária, 1105, Bairro Universitário, 88806-000 Criciúma, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Paghan
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Plantas Medicinais (LaPlaM/ PPGCA), Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense/UNESC, Avenida Universitária, 1105, Bairro Universitário, 88806-000 Criciúma, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marília S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Borges
authors.affiliation: Herbário Pe. Raulino Reitz, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense/UNESC, Avenida Universitária, 1105, Bairro Universitário, 88806-000 Criciúma, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Vanilde
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Citadini-Zanette
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123 St. Stephens Green, 2, 00000-000 Dublin, Leinster, Ireland.
authors.forename: James W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Barlow
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Plantas Medicinais (LaPlaM/ PPGCA), Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense/UNESC, Avenida Universitária, 1105, Bairro Universitário, 88806-000 Criciúma, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Patrícia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Amaral
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Plantas Medicinais (LaPlaM/ PPGCA), Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense/UNESC, Avenida Universitária, 1105, Bairro Universitário, 88806-000 Criciúma, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dalbó
mesh_terms: D019659:Asteraceae; D001938:Brazil; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires