USO POPULAR DE PLANTAS MEDICINAIS NO RIO GRANDE DO NORTE, NORDESTE DO BRASIL

Abstract

A survey was made of the plant species used in popular medicine in the coastal city of Natal, and the rural city of Santa Cruz, both in the northeastern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Norte. Information on the medicinal properties of the plants was obtained from interviews with local residents performed between February and August, 2005 and between September and December, 2007. In each area, 100 inhabitants filled out standard forms, for a total of 300 interviews. Data was collected on the plant (popular name, part of the plant used, form of use and function) and on the population (age group, sex and schooling). We recorded 57 species distributed into 54 genuses and 34 botanical families. Regardless of schooling level, more than 50% of the respondents reported using plant species for curing a wide assortment of ailments. The most used families in terms of number of species were: Lamiaceae (seven), Euphorbiaceae (four), Myrtaceae (four), Zingiberaceae (three) and Lauraceae (three). Around 49% of the species were common to the three areas studied. The most used plant parts for preparing remedies, which are used mainly for treating respiratory diseases, were the leaves, fruits and roots. Teas are the most common form of dispensing the medicine. A table is presented containing information, especially on the use and function of the species, as described in the interviews.