Popular knowledge on the use of medicinal plants in the Agrocasa settlement, in São Francisco do Pará, Pará, Brazil

Abstract

The objective of this work was to carry out an ethnobotanical survey on the medicinal plants
used by the residents of the Agrocasa Settlement, in São Francisco do Pará / PA, in order to
register and preserve local knowledge. The technique of snowball sampling was used in conjunction
with semi-structured questionnaires. We interviewed 7 key informants. There were 33
medicinal plants cited. The most representative were cidreira, mastruz, rue, slug, boldo, santo
and verônica grass. The leaves and teas were the most cited part and form of use, respectively.
The most used forms of manipulation were decoction and infusion. The combined use
of several plants with products such as honey and milk, as well as with unusual products like
“termite house” was also reported. It is concluded that the residents of Agrocasa Settlement
have relevant knowledge about the use of medicinal plants, which are part of the local culture,
so that these knowledges should be valued. It is important to highlight the need for complementary
studies to increase the number of popular knowledge recorded.