Ethnopharmacological notes about ancient uses of medicinal plants in Tras-os-Montes (northern of Portugal)

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2009

Authors

Jose Manuel Neves (Author) Other; Carla Matos (Author) Other; Carla Moutinho (Author) Other; Gloria Queiroz (Author) FFUP; Ligia Rebelo Gomes (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Journal of Ethnopharmacology

Vol. 124 No. 2

Pages: 270-283

ISSN: 0378-8741

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 212 Citations

Scopus - 258 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Basic medicine

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-HGK

DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2009.04.041

Resumo (PT): Aim of the study In order to preserve the ancestral knowledge, an ethnopharmacological study has been carried out in two councils belonging to Trás-os-Montes region a small area located in the northern of Portugal. In that area, medicinal plants, most of the species wild, are still in use among farmers, shepherds and other people who live far from villages and built-up areas. Materials and methods Among the 46 people that were interviewed (mean age of 66 years old), 88 species belonging to 42 families of vascular plants were identified for treatment of various human ailments. An ethnopharmacological report is made consisting of species names, vernacular names, popular uses of the plants and their pharmacological properties. Results and conclusion The most dominant family is Lamiaceae (18%) and the most frequently part of the plant used for the treatment of diseases are leaves (37.9%). The largest number of taxa is used to treat gastrointestinal disorders (73.9%). <br> <br> Keywords: Medicinal plants; Ethnobotany; NE Portugal; Folk medicine <br> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T8D-4W6Y5JN-1&_user=2460038&_coverDate=07%2F15%2F2009&_rdoc=16&_fmt=high&_orig=browse&_origin=browse&_zone=rslt_list_item&_srch=doc-info(%23toc%235084%232009%23998759997%231239065%23FLA%23display%23Volume)&_cdi=5084&_sort=d&_docanchor=&_ct=26&_acct=C000057398&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=2460038&md5=f331b3268cd10a8a774bfbafe26eea88&searchtype=a"> Texto integral</a> <br> <br>

Abstract (EN): Aim of the study: In order to preserve the ancestral knowledge, an ethnopharmacological study has been carried out in two councils belonging to Tras-os-Montes region a small area located in the northern of Portugal. In that area, medicinal plants, most of the species wild, are still in use among farmers, shepherds and other people who live far from villages and built-up areas. Materials and methods: Among the 46 people that were interviewed (mean age of 66 years old), 88 species belonging to 42 families of vascular plants were identified for treatment of various human ailments. An ethnopharmacological report is made consisting of species names, vernacular names, popular uses of the plants and their pharmacological properties. Results and conclusion: The most dominant family is Lamiaceae (18%) and the most frequently part of the plant used for the treatment of diseases are leaves (37.9%). The largest number of taxa is used to treat gastrointestinal disorders (73.9%).

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific