A Etnofarmacologia na Amazônia: um estudo de caso nas comunidades São Francisco e São José sobre o uso de plantas medicinais no município de Careiro Da Várzea Amazonas

Abstract

The growing appreciation in public health systems of the ancestral knowledge of Amazonian populations about the properties of medicinal plants reflects the cultural relevance of this knowledge. Furthermore, this knowledge has aroused the interest of the pharmaceutical industry in exploring pharmacological, phytochemical and agronomic studies for the development of new medicines. The use of medicinal herbs represents an ancestral tradition that spans countless millennia, deeply ingrained in the wisdom of populations and establishing a link between culture and well-being. These elements do not manifest themselves independently, but are rather intertwined within a particular historical context. The objective is to identify the managed species and describe the indications for local use, seeking to rescue and value local knowledge related to medicinal plants. The participants in this study were residents of the São Francisco and São José Communities, on the coast of Terra Nova Island, in Careiro da Várzea, in the State of Amazonas. They were invited to voluntarily participate in the research, and everyone was provided with a Free and Informed Consent Form (TCLE). Through this document, participants received detailed and formal information, making them aware that they would be the focus of the research. The municipality of Careiro da Várzea is located on the banks of the Solimões River, this area is a Brazilian sub-region of the Amazon Basin, called the Middle Solimões River Microregion. The municipal headquarters is located on the right bank of the Amazon River, within Paraná do Careiro, at a distance of 102 km from the capital Manaus. The investigation was carried out through two distinct technical procedures: 1) bibliographic review and 2) case study. Although allopathic medicines are widely used to treat various diseases in the urban population, there is still a group that maintains traditional knowledge about medicinal plants. This segment continues to use these plants as a source of well-being, recognizing their therapeutic properties. 21 plant species with medicinal properties were identified, covering 20 different genera and families. The results indicate that the most frequently mentioned diseases or symptoms, in descending order, were flu (30%), followed by fever (20%), gastritis (25%), cancer (10%), inflammation (10%) and diabetes. (5%). The leaves were the part of the plant most used by those interviewed, and tea stood out as the most common form of preparation for medicinal species. We observed that friends have a significant influence on the choice of plants, both for prevention and treatment of illnesses, with family members being the main source of recommendation. In short, the population of Careiro da Várzea, AM, uses medicinal plants to treat illnesses of the respiratory and digestive systems and cancer. The records were meticulously organized, explored and digitally documented, following the necessary handling standards for rare documents. The forms contain information on 21 botanical species that are part of the collection of backyards and raised beds. These records detail cultivation care and information on species development, crucial data for monitoring interactions with the environment, evaluating plant adaptability and appropriate cultivation practices. In this way, the forms are not limited to just agronomic and biological records; They also have significant scientific importance and historical relevance for the implementation of Medicinal Plant heritage.