Medicinal plants in residences of a capital in the Legal Amazon - a view at Ethnopharmacology

Abstract

Palmas, capital of the State of Tocantins, is located in a region where two biomes meet: the Amazon and the Cerrado. With distinct vegetation, it presents a variety of plants with phytotherapeutic potential added to the popular knowledge that makes traditional use of natural resources to cure diseases. This work aimed to perform a survey of medicinal plants most used by residents of Palmas-TO. This study subsidizes future pharmacological studies. It’s a cross-sectional study that followed all ethical norms, in which 12 residents of the capital, who willingly participated, were interviewed. In the study, we could observe that most of the plants mentioned by the interviewees are present in their homes and most of them have an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. The most used part of the plants was the leaves, root and bark. Furthermore, tea was the predominant form of use. In this project we were able to observe the knowledge that simple people carry with them and how they share their knowledge. However, they know little about harmful effects or toxic doses. More studies are needed to rescue, expand, consolidate popular knowledge and, that way, encouraging live pharmacies and encourage research to discover new drugs: the cure may be in backyards.