Use and diversity of medicinal plants at the "Quilombo Olho D'água dos Pires", Esperantina, Piaui State, Brazil

Abstract

The present study was carried out at the community "Quilombola de Olho D'água dos Pires", located in the micro-region of the lower Parnaiba, in the town of Esperantina, Piaui, Brazil. Field excursion was carried out, between the period from April/2003 to February/2004; questionnaires were applied to all family groups belonging to the community, the ones which indicated the key-informants with recognizable knowledge, who followed and indicated the ethnospecies of medicinal use to be collected. After this phase, the species were identified in a laboratory and their use value (VU) was calculated for each species. The material was incorporated to the "Herbário Graziela Barroso" (TEPB/UFPI). It was observed that out the 33 family groups interviewed, only 5 people above 60 years of age, one 55 years old and tree people between 21 and 30 years of age had full knowledge of the use and properties of the plants for medicinal purposes. 82 species were identified, belonging to 69 genders and 41 botanic families. It is mentioned in the community the use of medicinal plants mainly for the treatment of respiratory diseases and intestinal infections, drunk as tea mixed with "garrafada" (kind of different tree barks syrup) and the rest as lollypops, juices, baths, and macerations, among others. The most utilized parts in the preparation of the medicines are the leaves and barks. The species that deserves special attention in relation to the frequency and coherent citations is "janaguba" (Hymatantus sucuuba (Spruce ex Müll. Arg) Woodson), being this cited in 100% of the questionnaires applied for the cure of influenza, sore throat, cough, as blood depurative and inflammations in general.