The Use of Herbal Medicine in a Rural Community in Vitória Da Conquista, Bahia, Brazil: An Indication for Pharmacological Studies

Abstract

The present study evaluated ethno medicinal knowledge of people in the rural community of São Sebastião, Vitória da Conquista, Bahia, Brazil. Using semi-structured interviews, 84 randomly chosen individuals informed about the use of traditional medicinal plants in their community, thereby identifying their therapeutic potential, which were categorized according to the ICD-10 (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems). The collected data were analyzed with using the Informant consensus factor (ICF), the Relative importance (RI) and the scores were calculated by using Fidelity level (FL). Forty-six species traditionally used in treatment of ailments were categorized as diseases: digestive system, respiratory problems, general symptoms/signs, nervous system and circulatory system. Lippia alba, Cymbopogon citratus and Foeniculum vulgare had a RI >1, indicating important value to the community. Highest values of FL were: Spondias purpurea, Bauhinia forficata, Punica granatum, Matricaria chamomilla, Stryphnodendron adstringens, Foeniculum vulgare, Mentha piperita, Amburana cearensis and Dysphania ambrosioides. S. purpurea, to treat hypertension, and Amburana cearensis (indigestion) deserve in depth pharmacological and toxicological studies so that they might be included in the National Program of Medicinal Plants and Phytotherapics of the Brazilian Sistema Único de Saúde and safely prescribed by regional health teams, lowering costs for local health system.

Trema orientale (L.) Blume: A review of its taxonomy, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities and domestication potential

“…This is particularly important in most tropical countries where their rich plant biodiversity affords them the luxury to select from the plethora of plant resources with therapeutic potential. In developing countries, the use of plant medicine is the primary medical remedy for many people especially, among the rural population for treating and managing various disease conditions [ 1 ]. About 80 % of the world's population depends on herbal medicine because it is less costly, readily and easily accessible to consumers [ 2 ].…”

A administração sistêmica de extratos de arnica é segura? Uma revisão sistemática de ensaios pré-clínicos

“…In regards to the endemic and exotic herbs used in Brazilian folk medicine and complementary therapeutical practices, several species of "arnica" are noteworthy (Athayde et al, 2019;de Athayde et al, 2021;Marisco et al, 2017;Ribeiro et al, 2017), which are typically used as remedies in the form of tisanes; tinctures; bottled; globules; hot compresses; ointments; and gels. This range of formulations is accompanied by the therapeutical versatility of arnica, which is reported to treat: postoperative lesions such as bruises, sprains and abrasions; edema related to fracture and rheumatic pain of muscles and joints; inflammatory processes of the oropharynx; furunculosis; insect bites and stings; superficial phlebitis, etc (Athayde et al, 2019;Carvalho et al, 2018;Rodríguez-Chávez et al, 2017;Saraiva et al, 2015;Siqueira et al, 2018;Souza et al, 2017).…”

Anatomical and histochemical characterization of leaves of Spondias purpurea L.

“…In Brazil, the leaves of S. purpurea have traditionally been used to treat gastritis (Borges & Moreira, 2016;Castro et al, 2011), hypertension (Silva et al, 2012;Marisco et al, 2017b) and diarrhea (Franco & Barros, 2006;Oliveira, Barros & Moita Neto, 2010;Freitas et al, 2012). Pharmacological studies have demonstrated its antimicrobial (Alencar et al, 2015;Miranda-Cruz et al, 2012;Marisco et al, 2017a;, antitumor , antioxidant and antiulcer potential (Almeida et al, 2017).…”