Plants used for medicinal purposes by the Mocoví Community of San Javier (Santa Fe)

Abstract

The use of medicinal plants dates back to 3000 BC. in Sumerian and Chinese records, and they realize that the use of plants for therapeutic purposes has always existed. Although our country has included some popular medicinal plants in its Argentine Pharmacopoeia, much of the information on the original peoples has probably become extinct as a consequence of the loss of identity and tradition of the indigenous communities, as a result of urbanization, miscegenation and westernization. The objective of this work was to rescue and systematize the use and consumption of plants for medicinal purposes by the Mocoví Community of San Javier. Semi-structured surveys were conducted with members of the Mocoví Community of San Javier, with questions related to the plant species used for medicinal purposes, the type of use, preparation and administration. A total of 59 common names of plant species were registered. The leaves and flowers were the most used parts and the infusion was the predominant form of preparation (p <0.001; Friedman = 168.5) and administration (79.59% of the cases). Among the uses they made, those related to treating problems of the digestive and urinary systems and as analgesics and anti-inflammatories can be highlighted. It is important to mention that, depending on the plant species, it was assigned one or more uses. Considering the results obtained, it becomes evident that the evaluation of the knowledge and use that communities give to the different plant species with medicinal attributes is an essential activity for decision-making in phytomedicine, updating the regulations related to pharmacovigilance and the formulation of public policies regarding scientific and technological research.