Preservação dos saberes tradicionais de plantas medicinais no assentamento São Francisco, Canutama, Amazonas

Abstract

The herbal knowledge are elements belonging to popular culture and enhance its use implies in maintaining the tradition of rural communities. The use of plants for the treatment of diseases and health benefits was established as a socially viable and affordable alternative. In this context, the objective of this study was to carry out an ethnobotanical survey of plants with medicinal properties, present in San Francisco settlement of the backyards in the town of Canutama - AM. The methodology consisted in using the method of "snowball", semi-structured interviews and tour-guided, has characterized the socioeconomic profile of 32 residents, out of 269 families, described the use of plant species with therapeutic potential, analyzed perception as to the importance of them, as well as investigated the factors that influence the use of plants for medicinal purposes. It was determined the relative importance of species and evaluated the consensus on therapeutic indications assigned by informants. Also developed the botanical collection and herborization. Most respondents consisted of women (59,4%), 59% of respondents were between 41 and 60, 66% had incomplete primary and 38% receive only a minimal salary. The boldo (Plectranthus ornatus Codd) has emerged as the most important medicinal plant. Regarding the forms of acquisition of knowledge, nine people cited the family, especially mother, grandparents and parents. Were recorded 85 species belonging to 40 botanical families, highlighting Lamiaceae (11 species) and Asteraceae (seven species). The most cited species were chinese boldo (Plectranthus ornatus Codd), holy grass (Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf.), crajiru (Friderica chica (Humb. & Bonpl.) LG Lohmann), lemongrass (Lippia alba (Mill) N. E. Br. ex P. Wilson), ginger (Zingiber officinale (Willd.) Roscoe), coarse mint (Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng) and andiroba (Carapa guianensis Aubl.). There was a predominance of exotic species (53%) and herbs (48%). The relative importance, andiroba and lemongrass obtained the maximum value (RI = 2). Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue and external cause lesions showed greater consensus among informants. Inflammation, stomach pain and flu consisted of the indications that stood out. The sheet out of the most widely used plant. The forms most representative preparation have been infusion and decoction. The ethnobotanical survey conducted in the settlement showed the diversity of plant species that are used for the treatment of diseases and significant knowledge of the informants about them, which is transmitted from generation to generation.