Antigonorrhoeal activity of plants used in Guatemala for the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases

Medical potential of plants used by the Q’eqchi Maya of Livingston, Guatemala for the treatment of women's health complaints

“…Studies show that, instead, many women worldwide rely on herbal remedies to treat hormonally-regulated health conditions (Browner, 1985;Cáceres et al, 1995;Duke, 1994;Ososki et al, 2002). Our results present data for the first time on the traditional use and in vitro biological activity of medicinal plants used by the Q'eqchi Maya of Livingston, Izabal.…”

“…For example, the leaf of Cecropia peltata (Cecropiaceae; Table 1, JM26), or Guarumo, also known as Trumpet Tree by the Maya of Belize and Guatemala and by the Paya of Honduras, used by the Q'eqchi to expel the placenta, lower the womb, and to treat nervousness and insomnia, is also commonly used in a bath for rheumatism, and as a tea to treat nervous conditions, menstrual problems, and to ease the pain of childbirth (Lentz, 1989;Comerford, 1996;Cáceres, 1996). Dioscorea bartletti Morton (Dioscoreaceae; Table 1, JM08) is among the many species of Dioscorea referred to as wild yam which are known to have a long history of medicinal use in Central America and were popular among the ancient Aztec and Maya people.…”

“…(Nigenda, 2001). Economically, Guatemala is considered to be one of the poorest countries in Latin America, yet it is a nation extremely rich in traditional medical knowledge and biological resources (Cáceres et al, 1995). According to the Pan American Health Organization, 71% of its total population lives in poverty and less than 60% of the population has access to public services or biomedical health care facilities (PAHO, 1999).…”

“…Although access to and utilization of biomedical care remains low, Guatemala has a long history of use of traditional Maya medicine, and approximately 80% of the current population rely on medicinal plants as their primary source of medical treatment (Cáceres, 1996). The majority of these botanicals, including those used for the treatment of women's health conditions, have not been systematically documented or tested for safety and possible efficacy.…”

“…Due to the limited number of interdisciplinary studies on the ethnobotany, biology, and chemistry of medicinal plants used to treat women's health conditions in Guatemala (Cáceres et al, 1995;Girón et al, 1988;Cáceres 1996;), and the lack of ethnobotanical data on the Q'eqchi Maya of Livingston, this study sought to explore Q'eqchi perceptions, attitudes, and treatment choices related to women's health followed by the biological and chemical investigation of the medicinal plants commonly used by the Q'eqchi to treat symptoms related to menstruation and menopause. The purpose of this study was to provide data related to the safety and efficacy of Q'eqchi botanical medicines with the hope of contributing to Guatemala's national effort to improve public health measures in rural areas through the documentation of Maya medical practices.…”