Therapeutic potential and use of medicinal plants in the rural community of Sítio Canteiros, Muriaé region, MG

Abstract

The objective of this work was to recover knowledge about medicinal plants among residents
of the rural community of Sítio Canteiros, municipality of Muriaé, MG. Semi structured questionnaires
were applied, accompanied by the photographic record. Thirty-five residents were
interviewed and the group’s characterization showed that 60% of the interviewees were female,
with the majority being farmer (51%) and housewife (17%). The use of the plants is based on
the family tradition (80%), custom that remains since 60% of the informants reported that they
use medicinal plants frequently. The main diseases, treated with the medicinal plants and mentioned
by the residents were: flu, kidney problems and stress. The families Lamiaceae and Asteraceae
were the most representative in this study and Foeniculum vulgare (funcho) was the
most cited species, followed by Plantago major (transagem) and Gossypium hirsutum (cotton).