ABSTRACT
Se propone dar a conocer e interpretar, el uso y la significacioÌn de las plantas en la veterinaria tradicional de la Sierra de Ancasti (Catamarca, Argentina). Mediante el empleo de meÌtodos y teÌcnicas de investigacioÌn etnobotaÌnica se documentaron los taxones de dolencias vernaÌculas, y un total de 62 usos medicinales correspondientes a 43 especies pertenecientes a 30 familias botaÌnicas. Las principales aplicaciones medicinales son: cicatrizantes, digestivas, antiparasitarias y oxitoÌcicas. Se analizoÌ el rol de las especies toÌxicas y peligrosas en la veterinaria local. Junto al repertorio de plantas, se presentan otras teÌcnicas terapeÌuticas populares, asiÌ como praÌcticas culturales de tipo religioso-ritual. Finalmente, se analiza la tensioÌn entre tradicioÌn y modernidad en este campo del saber. Se concluye que, a pesar de que el conocimiento etnoveterinario resulta relevante en cantidad de especies y usos, existe un creciente abandono de su praxis, lo que podriÌa devenir en la extincioÌn de la experiencia.
In this work we aim at presenting and interpreting the use and meaning of plants in traditional veterinary in Sierra de Ancasti (Catamarca, Argentina). By employing ethnobotanical research methods and techniques, we registered taxa of vernacular ailments and 62 medicinal uses corresponding to 43 species from 30 botanical families. They are used medicinally due to their healing, digestive, anti- parasitic and oxytocic properties. In addition, the role of toxic and dangerous species was analyzed in the local veterinary. Together with the repertoire of plants, we also described other popular therapeutic techniques and cultural practices of religious-ritualistic nature. Finally, tension was analyzed between tradition and modernity in this field of knowledge. It has been concluded that, despite ethnoveterinary knowledge is relevant for many species and uses, its practice is being gradually neglected, which could eventually lead to the extinction of experience.