Local knowledge and use of medicinal plants in three communities of San Ignacio and Cedros, Francisco Morazán, Honduras: some biocultural implications
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5377/pc.v1i20.20418Keywords:
Conservation, cultural value, ethnobotany, primary health care, traditional medicine, useful plantsAbstract
The study of medicinal plants is key to preserving traditional knowledge about natural resources and developing new therapeutic applications. In response to the lack of prior research, this initial exploration documents the traditional use of medicinal plants in three communities of San Ignacio and Cedros, located around the Casta Rica-Sansone forest management area, in the department of Francisco Morazán, Honduras.
Through semi-structured interviews, data were collected on plant species and their uses. The information was analyzed using the Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), Relative Importance (RI), and the TRAMIL Significant Use Index (UST), in order to assess the level of traditional knowledge, the versatility of the reported medicinal plants, and their cultural acceptance in the community.
A total of 106 species belonging to 53 botanical families were identified, with Asteraceae, Rutaceae, and Fabaceae being the most represented, and a predominance of herbaceous species. Leaves were found to be the most commonly used part of the plant, while teas and infusions were the most frequent forms of preparation. Medicinal plants are used to treat various ailments, with aloe (Aloe vera), oregano (Lippia origanoides), and peppermint (Mentha spp.) standing out as the most widely used species.
The results show that the respiratory system had the highest consensus among informants (ICF = 0.38). Aloe vera was the species with the highest relative importance (RI = 2.00), due to its broad use in multiple conditions. Lippia origanoides presented the highest level of significant TRAMIL use (UST = 47.4).
Beyond highlighting the importance of these species in traditional medicine, the study emphasizes the need to preserve this knowledge in the face of modernization and migration threats. It is also recommended to implement sustainable strategies for the conservation and transmission of ancestral knowledge related to the use of medicinal plants in these rural communities.
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