Levantamento botânico das plantas medicinais utilizadas na zona urbana do município de São Bento

Abstract

Medicinal plants have been widely used throughout history to treat health conditions or even cure a variety of diseases. Their use requires important knowledge about the plant, such as where to harvest it, how to prepare it, as well as understanding its chemical composition. This article presents a botanical survey of the medicinal plants used by residents of the neighborhoods Alegre, Mutirão, and São Benedito in the urban area of the municipality of São Bento, Maranhão. The aim is to identify the most commonly found medicinal plants in the region and their methods of use. To obtain the data, structured interviews were conducted with male and female residents from each neighborhood. The results show that a large portion of the interviewees mentioned medicinal plants present in their own homes, with the majority being harvested and used immediately. It was also observed that the most commonly used part of the herbal plants is the leaves, which are mostly prepared as teas, as this implies greater ease of use. In addition to medicinal use, some plants were mentioned for their culinary purposes. Medicinal plants bring a sense of security for those who use them and are easy to use, and their use can encourage the preservation of species and our environment. Furthermore, the article addresses the importance of conducting more scientific research on medicinal plants to consolidate and value traditional knowledge. Therefore, it is also necessary to better understand the chemical composition, pharmacological properties, benefits, and drawbacks of medicinal plants, as well as to develop new forms of use and administration