ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL STUDY OF PLANTS USED IN THE MIDDLE XINGU REGION AMAZON FOREST

Resumo

Introduction: The Amazonian peoples have medicinal knowledge built by symbiosis with the forest. This fact reinforces the importance of studies on the traditional use of natural products, describing the plants used for medicinal purposes. Therefore, this work aimed to carry out an ethnopharmacological survey of plants used by residents of the middle Xingu region, Pará, Brazil. Methods: Questionnaires based on the therapeutic use of plants were used. Results: 36 people were interviewed and 38 plants were described. Of the cataloged species, there was a greater number used in the treatment of infectious, digestive and circulatory diseases, with 21 plant species cited for the treatment of these diseases (the Lamiaceae family was the most cited with popular names). Other families demonstrated use associated with the treatment of infectious and parasitic diseases: Acanthaceae, Annonaceae, Bignoniaceae, Costaceae, Crassulaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Lecythidaceae, Plantaginaceae, Portulacaceae, Rubiaceae, Smilacaceae, Solanaceae, Urticaceae, Vitaceae and Zingiberaceae. With endocrine and nutritional functions, species of the Amaranthaceae family were listed. For skin diseases, the Portulacaceae and Vitaceae families. Discussion/Conclusions: The results showed that traditional healers have some knowledge about different diseases. However, scientific investigations are needed regarding the effects and toxicity of the herbal medicines used to treat them.