Ethnobotanical knowledge of medicinal plants by marketers of the municipal free trade fair of Santana do Ipanema- AL / Conhecimento etnobotânico de plantas medicinais por comercializadores da feira livre municipal de Santana do Ipanema- AL

Abstract

: The use of medicinal plants has always been one of the main strategies used as a source of cure or relief of diseases by several individuals. With the great use of these plants as a medicinal source, the commercialization of these plants has become a common practice in several free markets of some local populations, many of which, developed by marketers, seen as having a wide knowledge about it, which has contributed for the supply of medicinal plants to consumers. In this context, the objective of this work was to carry out an ethnobotanical approach regarding plants marketed as medicinal products by traders of the free trade fair of the municipality of Santana do Ipanema in the state of Alagoas. To obtain the data, semi-structured interviews were conducted using the technique Snowball, Free List and Direct Observation with some traders of the free fair of the municipality. It was possible to identify a total of 11 vegetal species known and indicated as medicinal, being the most cited; Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus glubulus L.), Mint (Mentha piperita L.), Capim santo (Cymbopogon citratus) and Boldo (Peumus boldus L.). Many of these plants are used against health problems like; influenza, cough, headache, fever and among others, being the main form of use for the indicated treatment, tea through the leaves of the indicated species. In the face of this study, it was possible to perceive a self-confidence on the part of the marketers before the indicated treatment, being provided to the consumers. In addition, this work allowed to divulge the local knowledge and the professional experience that many of these individuals possess, contributing as a personal, social and economic source.

Keywords

• Popular knowledge
• Medicinal herbs
• Municipal fairs