The use of plants for medicinal purposes in the city of Dom Pedro de Alcântara, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Abstract

The data presented in this work refer to plants that are used for medicinal purposes, the traditional knowledge regarding them, and to contribute to the state's medicinal flora archives. The samples correspond to two distinct groups of information sources; women from the urban area (sample 1), and women from the rural area (sample 2), with a total of 30 interviews. One hundred thirty-one species were identified, and information on production of medicines from them is presented here. The methods of preparation of the plant, its uses, the source of knowledge, the way the plant was obtained, and popular names, were noted. The plants that appear in larger numbers are for treatment of cough (n=10), and stomach (n=7). The leaf is that part that is mostly used (62.7%) in the preparation of remedies, mostly as decoctions (46%) and infusions (32%), both applied internally. The knowledge of the uses and methods of preparation were handed down in family tradition (55.7%). The majority of the informers grew the plants consumed (60.5%), indicating that those species are preserved. Different species with similar morphological characteristics may be known by the same name, in different localities, or the same specie may be known by different names due to its action or morphological characteristics