Knowledge and use of medicinal plants in the Semiarid Region of Brazil

Abstract

This study aimed to record the knowledge and use of medicinal species in the Semiarid Region of Paraiba, Northeast Brazil. Interviews were conducted with 100% of homeowners (men and women). We calculated the Relative Importance Index (RI) to determine local most important species. We recorded 45 species, 41 genera and 20 families. The most representative families were Fabaceae (12 spp.), Euphorbiaceae (5 spp.) and Anacardiaceae (4 ssp.). Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemao and Syderoxylum obtusifolium (Roem & Schult.) T. D. Penn. were the most prominent species. There were 17 medicinal plants that showed great versatility in their use of RI > 1. There was predominance for treatment of respiratory system disorders, undefined diseases or undefined pain, digestive and genitourinary system disorders, and general inflammation and cicatrizing the two most cited diseases. The bark was the most used part with 1,399 use citations, and sauce was the main method of preparation (586 citations). This study demonstrated a greater use of two endangered species in the Caatinga, revealing conservation concerns.