ABSTRACT
Aim: Asthma is a condition that affects the airways in human lungs. It causes its (lungs) inflammation and hyper-responsiveness. Conventional therapies used in its management are expensive and have been found to come with undesirable side effects. The use of herbal remedies in treating the disease is widespread especially in local communities with little or no access to primary health care. This indigenous knowledge on the cure of asthma is gradually being lost among the populace. This study is aimed at documenting local remedies used in the management of asthma. Methodology: Ethnobotanical survey was carried out in Federal Capital Territory (FCT)- Abuja and surrounding communities, among Traditional Medicine Practitioners (TMPs), Herb’s sellers and elderly in the community using semi-structured questionnaire and interview methods. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and ethnobotany index. Results: 80 respondents were interviewed, 58 of them laid claims to knowledge about medicinal plants used in asthma management. Majority of the respondents are Traditional Medicine Practitioners (48%). 59 plants species belonging to 38 plant families was documented with most belonging to the Moraceae plant family (10%). The recipes mentioned were mostly prepared as decoctions which are taken orally with a case of two being by smoking and inhalation. Conclusion: This study has shown that the Federal Capital Territory and settlements within its environ are blessed with medicinal plants used in the management of asthma which serve as a cheap and alternative source of remedy for the local populace and as well, being a repository for scientific inquest that may lead to yet another drug discovery from plant origin used in the management of asthma.
ABSTRACT
Herbal medicine therapy is traditionally practiced by indigenous healers in Bolivia for hundreds years. Due to the great geographical and ecological diversity, there are thousands of native plants, which are utilized against diverse types of diseases. Nowadays, there is a worldwide problem connected with possible loss of ethnobotany knowledge because of the lack of the interest of young people. In present study, survey focused on medicinal plants used by rural people in Qampaya District, Potosí Department, Bolivia has been done. The data were collected from 60 respondents by semi-structured interviews. The results showed that 60 plant species belonging to 30 families are known as curative plants in this area. The mostly named families were Asteraceae (14 species) followed by Lamiaceae (7 species) and Brassicaceae (4 species). Predominant health problems treated by these plants are urological problems and gastro-intestinal disorders. The most frequently used plant parts were leaves and the preparation is mostly done as infusion. Even though the knowledge of using medical plants plays important role in life of Bolivian rural people, which use plants as medicines against various types of diseases, this study showed that 25 percent of respondents didnt know any medicinal plants. On the other hand 40 percent of asked people have known 6 or more medicinal plant species.
La terapia de la medicina herbolaria es practicada, tradicionalmente, por los curanderos indígenas en Bolivia, desde hace cientos de años. Gracias a la gran diversidad geográfica y ecológica, hay miles de plantas nativas, que se utilizan para el tratamiento de diferentes tipos de enfermedades. Hoy en día, hay un problema mundial relacionado con la posible pérdida del conocimiento etnobotánico, esto debido a la falta de interés de las nuevas generaciones. El presente estudio descriptivo, mediante una encuesta, fue enfocado a las plantas medicinales utilizadas por la población rural del Distrito Qampaya, Departamento de Potosí, Bolivia. Los datos se obtuvieron de 60 informantes mediante una encuesta semiestructurada. Los resultados mostraron que 60 especies de plantas medicinales. pertenecientes a 30 familias botánicas, son conocidas en el área de intervención. Las familias botánicas, más importantes de uso medicinal son Asteraceae (14 especies), seguido de Lamiaceae (7 especies) y Brassicaceae (4 especies). Los problemas predominantes de salud, tratados con estas especies, son los urológicos y trastornos gastrointestinales. La parte de la planta más utilizada son las hojas y la forma más común de uso es en infusión. A pesar de que el conocimiento sobre la utilización de las plantas medicinales, juega un papel importante en la vida de la población rural de Bolivia, quienes utilizan las plantas medicinales para el tratamiento de diversos tipos de enfermedades, este estudio mostró que el 25 por ciento de los encuestados no tienen conocimiento sobre la utilidad medicinal de ninguna especie vegetal. Por otro lado, el 40 por ciento de los informantes conocen 6 o más especies de plantas medicinales.
Subject(s)
Humans , Ethnobotany , Plants, Medicinal , Bolivia , Matricaria , Mentha piperita , Rural Areas , Surveys and Questionnaires , NicotianaABSTRACT
O presente trabalho verificou a utilização de plantas medicinais encontradas no Cerrado mato-grossense para o tratamento de hiperlipidemias e obesidade. Entrevistas com 180 pessoas acima de 50 anos foram realizadas em Nova Xavantina-MT. O questionário abordou nome popular, parte utilizada, forma de preparo e uso das espécies citadas, além de informações gerais sobre o uso de plantas. As dez plantas mais citadas foram coletadas, identificadas e estudadas por meio de uma revisão bibliográfica. A maioria dos entrevistados (95,6 por cento) declarou utilizar plantas medicinais regularmente, sendo que 71,5 por cento deles herdaram o conhecimento sobre plantas dos pais e avós e 94,20 por cento relataram aconselhar o uso aos mais jovens. Além disso, 93,6 por cento atestaram que as plantas são mais eficazes que os medicamentos de farmácia e 57 por cento consideraram forte o efeito das mesmas, ou seja, sempre resolvem o problema de saúde. Quanto aos efeitos adversos, 95,9 por cento disseram nunca ter sentido após o uso de plantas. Dos entrevistados, 56,7 por cento conheciam ou já haviam utilizado plantas medicinais no tratamento de hiperlipidemias e obesidade, sendo citadas 54 espécies medicinais diferentes pertencentes a 53 gêneros e 38 famílias, com destaque para Fabaceae (13 por cento). As dez plantas mais citadas foram: guatambu (Aspidosperma tomentosum Mart.), quina-do-cerrado (Strychnos pseudoquina St. Hil.), ipê-roxo [Tabebuia impetiginosa (Mart. Ex DC.) Standl], embaúba (Cecropia pachystachya Trec.), calunga (Simaba sp.), pata-de-vaca [Bauhinia rufa (Bong.) Steud.], mangaba (Hancornia speciosa Gomez), batata-de-tiú [Jatropha elliptica (Pohl.) Muell. Arg.], folha-de-carne (Casearia sylvestris Sw.) e manacá (Spiranthera odoratissima A. St.-Hil.). A folha foi a parte mais utilizada (46 por cento) e o preparo das plantas ocorre principalmente por meio de infusão citado por 36,5 por cento dos entrevistados. Apesar do uso popular destas plantas no combate as hiperlipidemias e obesidade, há necessidade de estudos fitoquímicos e farmacológicos que comprovem estas atividades, com vistas ao desenvolvimento de um fitoterápico.
This study checked the use of medicinal plants found in the Cerrado mato-grossense for the treatment of hyperlipidemia and obesity. Interviews with 180 people over 50 years were held in Nova Xavantina-MT. The questionnaire addressed popular name, part used, type of preparation and use of the species mentioned, beyond general information about the use of plants. The ten plants most cited were collected, identified and studied through a literature review. Most respondents (95.6 percent) said using medicinal plants regularly, while 71.5 percent of them inherited the knowledge of plants of parents and grandparents and 94.20 percent reported the use to advise youngsters. Furthermore, 93.6 percent attested that the plants are more effective than the drugs from pharmacy and 57 percent considered the strong effect of the same, i.e., they always solved health problems. Regarding adverse effects, 95.9 percent said they have never felt them after the use of plants. Of the respondents, 56.7 percent knew or had used medicinal plants in the treatment of hyperlipidemias and obesity, being cited 54 medicinal species belonging to 53 different genera and 38 families, with emphasis on Fabaceae (13 percent). The ten most cited were: guatambu (Aspidosperma tomentosum Mart.), quina-do-cerrado (Strychnos pseudoquina St. Hil.), ipê-roxo [Tabebuia impetiginosa (Mart. Ex DC.) Standl], embaúba (Cecropia pachystachya Trec.), calunga (Simaba sp.), pata-de-vaca [Bauhinia rufa (Bong.) Steud.], mangaba (Hancornia speciosa Gomez), batata-de-tiú [Jatropha elliptica (Pohl.) Muell. Arg.], folha-de-carne (Casearia sylvestris Sw.) and manacá (Spiranthera odoratissima A. St.-Hil.). The leaf was the most used (46 percent) and the preparation of the plants occurs mainly through the infusion cited by 36,5 percent of respondents. Despite the popular use of these plants for treatment of obesity and hyperlipidemia, further chemical and pharmacological studies are required to demonstrate these activities, in order to develop a phytotherapic product.