ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The order Hymenoptera comprises melliferous insects (bees, wasps and bumblebees); among them, stingless bees comprise a diverse group of eusocial insects present in tropical and subtropical areas. Of a total of approximately 500 species, 400 are found in the Neotropics. On the continent of America, before the introduction of Apis mellifera, these insects represented the main source of honey and wax. In Argentina, ethnobiological investigations had been carried out on this group of insects, principally in the Atlantic Forest and Chaco regions. Out of a total of 33 species, only 14 were recorded for use or breeding. In the Yungas, however, there are no ethnobiological studies analyzing this group of species, although the use of their products is mentioned in different ethnobotanical works. This paper studies the knowledge and uses of melliferous insects by the inhabitants of the village of Baritú and surrounding. METHOD: Information on location, management and duties assigned (e.g., preparation and administration) to deal with bee products like honey, pollen, wax and propolis was obtained through semi-structured interviews. Besides, reference material was collected to identify melliferous insects known and used in the region. RESULTS: Fifteen ethnospecies were identified and grouped locally according to their defensive behavior. The culturally most important species is the stingless bee Plebeia sp. nov.-mansita-, in terms of frequency of citations and diversity of uses, and among those that sting, the honeybee Apis mellifera-extranjera-. Honey, pollen, wax, and propolis of Plebeia sp. nov. had the highest current frequency of use. Honey is used in food (incorporated at pure state, as a complement and in drinks), as nutraceutical food and in medicinal preparations. In addition, it is an important resource for marketing during the warm season, infusions being the main mode of administration. Pollen is used as a supplement for food and alcoholic drinks, wax mainly in candle making, and propolis. CONCLUSION: The data obtained in this study complements the information available in ethnobotanical studies carried out in the region. The present study is the first on melliferous insects in the area. A new species of stingless bee the genus Plebeia was registered, and it was observed that the known distribution of others has increased.
Subject(s)
Bees , Honey , Pollen , Waxes , Animals , Argentina , Ethnobotany , KnowledgeABSTRACT
Los cítricos (Citrus L., Rutaceae) son plantas útiles introducidas hacia inicios del siglo XVI en diversos enclaves de América, con variedades cultivadas y espontáneas, especialmente en zonas tropicales y subtropicales. En poblaciones locales son considerados "plantas de la zona" presentando una alta diversidad de usos, entre ellos los medicinales. El objetivo de este trabajo es describir qué etnovariedades de cítricos son empleadas como medicinales por los criollos del sur de Misiones, como también las preparaciones, combinaciones con otras plantas y dolencias tratadas con las mismas. Se empleó la metodología etnobotánica cualitativa consistente en entrevistas semiestructuradas, caminatas con los informantes y observación participante, en 36 unidades domésticas (UD) de dos enclaves rurales del sur de Misiones (Argentina), durante los años 2010 y 2013. Se contó con el consentimiento informado previo de un adulto de cada UD. Se relevaron 7 etnoespecies de cítricos, prefiriéndose aquellas espontáneas, que pueden combinarse con otras plantas locales, para el tratamiento y prevención de 34 dolencias, principalmente relacionadas a estados gripales y febriles, hipertensión arterial, tos, trastornos nerviosos y digestivos. Las partes más empleadas fueron el jugo del endocarpo y las hojas, sin procesamiento y en infusiones y cocimientos. Teniendo en cuenta algunas particularidades, las etnoespecies son similares a las empleadas por comunidades de criollos en el norte de la provincia, representando importantes recursos alimentarios y medicinales.
Citrus (Citrus L., Rutaceae) are useful plants introduced in the early sixteenth century in diverse enclaves of America, both cultivated and spontaneous varieties, especially in tropical and subtropical zones. The local populations consider them as "plants of the area" with high diversity of uses, including the medicinal. The aim of this article is to describe which ethno-varieties of citrus are used as remedy by the native creoles of the southern Misiones, as well as the methods of preparation, combinations with other plants and the diseases treated with them. Between 2010 and 2013, qualitative ethnobotanical methodology was applied in 36 residential units (DU) in two rural settlements of southern Misiones (Argentina), using semi-structured interviews, walks with informants and participant observation. Prior consent was obtained from one adult of each DU. Seven citric ethnospecies were identified, the spontaneous varieties were identified as the preferred ones, which can be combined with other local plants for the treatment and prevention of 34 diseases, mainly those related to influenza and fever, hypertension, cough, nervous and digestive disorders. The most common used parts were endocarp juice and leaves in infusions and baking without processing. The ethnospecies represent important food and medicinal resources and are similar to those used by creole communities in the north of the province, although showing local particularities.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Citrus , Rutaceae , Plants, Medicinal , Rural Health , Ethnobotany , Medicine, TraditionalABSTRACT
Context Worldwide ethnobotanical research has shown the importance of home gardens as sources of medicinal plants. These resources are worthy of further study in the Argentinean Atlantic Forest due to the richness of medicinal flora and their importance for local people. Objective We studied richness, composition, cultural importance and medicinal uses of plants in home gardens of rural, semirural and urban areas in the Iguazú Department (Misiones, Argentina). Our hypothesis claims that people living in different environments have a similar array of medicinal plants in their gardens and they use them in a similar way. Materials and methods The analysis was based on 76 interviews and plant inventories of home gardens. During guided walks in gardens, voucher specimens were collected. To analyse composition, Simpson similarity index was applied and a new index was proposed to measure culturally salient species. Results All the environments had similar species composition with species differing in less than 30% of them. The most culturally salient taxa were Mentha spicata L. (Lamiaceae), in rural, Artemisia absinthium L. (Asteraceae), in semirural, and Aloe maculata All. (Xanthorrhoeaceae), in urban areas. The body systems treated with medicinal plants were similar across study sites. Discussion The results suggest a "core repertoire" of medicinal plants and a widespread exchange of plants among local population. The cultural importance index informs us about plant adaptability, based on the efficacy and the versatility of medicinal resources. Conclusion In this changing context where mobility and migrations constitute everyday life, medicinal plants in home gardens are part of local healthcare sovereignty.
