Etnoconhecimento associado ao uso de plantas medicinais por comunidades rurais em Peixoto de Azevedo, Mato Grosso

Medicinal plants are important for traditional communities as they are widely used in the relief or treatment of low-complexity diseases. Furthermore, popular knowledge about medicinal plants provides a basis for further studies and discovery of new drugs that can be synthesized by the pharmaceutical industry. In this context, the present study aimed to identify the use of medicinal plants and how this knowledge is passed on to future generations in rural communities in the district of União do Norte in Peixoto de Azevedo, northern region of Mato Grosso – Brazil. This study aims to contribute to the conservation of popular traditions and, consequently, highlight the plant species used in local population. This research was carried out through an on-site visit to rural properties, to collect socioeconomic and ethnobotanical data, using the guided tour to conduct interviews with the residents of these properties. Altogether 58 species from 34 botanical families were cited in the study. The most cited plants were mint tea for the relief or cure of various symptoms. Consensus of the informants ranged from 0.66 to 0.81. Consensus of the informants ranged from 0.66 to 0.81. It was shown, in general, that the use of medicinal plants and their preparation for the treatment of low-complexity diseases is a reality in (Mentha piperita L.), boldo (Plectranthus barbatus Andr.), lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf)), lemon balm (Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E.Br. ex Britton & P. Wilson)), Santa Maria herb (Chenopodium ambrosioides L.), aloe vera (Aloe vera l.), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), and rue (Ruta graveolens L.). Also, our study showed that tea was the most common way to use plant species to relieve or cure various symptoms. Regarding the most used parts in the preparations, the leaf was the most cited part for the preparation of the communities studied, as well as, the importance of women in this process since they corresponded to the majority of respondents (75.0%), playing an active role in ensuring that this culture remains alive in the communities and that the knowledge is passed on to future generations.