Comparisons between the use of medicinal plants in indigenous and rural caatinga (dryland) communities in NE Brazil

Abstract

In the present study we sought to compare the medicinal plants used by two communities established in the caatinga lands of Pernambuco State (NE Brazil) -one rural (in the municipality of Caruaru), and the other indigenous (the Fulni-o Amerindians, in the municipality of Aguas Belas). The central idea was to investigate whether there are differences between these two communities in terms of their patterns of medicinal plant use, even though they inhabit essentially the same type of environment. The results indicated that local environment is an important factor in the selection of medicinal plants, reinforcing the conclusions of surveys undertaken in other parts of the world.