Ethnobotany of the Ulwas from the southeast of Nicaragua, comparred with the botanic knowledge of the miskitus

Abstract

This study documents ulwa uses of 225 plant species. This includes 187 medicinal species, 69 food species, and 84 for auxiliary uses. The medicinal plants treat more than 25 diseases and the majority (80%) are native to the Nicaraguan Caribbean. They are usually herbs (48%) or trees (33%). Most of the species used for food (98%), medicine (90%) and other applications (80%) are the same as those used by the Miskitos. At the end there is an appendix containing a list of the plants used, with their scientific and common names, uses and parts of the plants that are used, modes of preparation and administration to the patient, including alkaloid and glycoside tests.