Ethnoknowledge on medicinal plants: Profile of consumers in the community of Tajaçuaba in São Luís - MA

Abstract

The use of medicinal plants is a practice that takes place from the beginnings of civilization by
various peoples and in various forms. The objective of this work was to characterize the profile
of the consumers of medicinal plants and verify the question of ethno - cognition in the Tajaçuaba
/ São Luís - MA community. We applied 31 questionnaires with objective questions that
served as instrument for data collection. The results indicated that the majority of consumers of
this method of alternative treatment are women totaling 68% of respondents. People who have
an income of at most a monthly minimum wage totaled 64%. Most of the interviewees related
the use of these plants to the faith, being 74% Catholic. 78% confirmed the use because it is a
family tradition, and because it is a cheaper option. With the results it was possible to conclude
that the consumption of medicinal plants by the interviewees is frequent and is passed between
the generations through the popular knowledge.