TRADITIONAL USE OF MEDICINAL PLANTS AMONG THE MOTHERS COMMUNITIES OF PALOTINA-PR

Abstract

The medicinal plants are used in traditional medicine to treat several diseases. They have been regarded as very important because it is estimated that 80% of the population use these medicinal herbs. The incorrect use can be dangerous since the therapeutic properties are mostly influenced by the preparation form. The aim of this work was to study how the mothers of Palotina city - Paraná State communities, are using the medicinal plants. Thus, 71 women were interviewed in order to obtain specific information about the medicinal plant use between the communities. From the total women interviewed, 98% reported they used medicinal plants and the main species were: Mentha spp., Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauschert, Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf, Plectranthus barbatus Andr., Plantago major L., Achyrocline satureioides, Mikania glomerata Spreng. and Maytenus ilicifolia Mart. ex Reissek. It was observed that 69% of the women use medicinal plant as tea by infusion while 40% are used to prepare tea by decoction. The most common form of consumption is the oral administration (91%) and 62% related the use of herbs to relieve symptoms caused by poor digestion. Based on how they obtain the plants, the cultivation at home is done by 91% of the interviewed and only 31% buy the vegetal raw material in supermarkets or pharmacy. The therapeutic indication normally is done by parents, friends or neighbors (79%). According to the data obtained, the fact that medicinal plants are natural products is what justifies the use of plants by 74% and so; the women have no preoccupation with allopathic medicine interactions. We observed also that a number of 10% have reported side effects after medicinal plants ingestion. Many mothers of the communities described that use herbs preparations even when they have questions concerning the efficacy or preparation. Thus, the results showed that the local community, although they have knowledge about medicinal plant use, some information is still unknown about the correct use of medicinal plants.