Medicinal plants used in the process of wound healing by growers in the south region of the RS state

Objective: To report the plants used by growers in the South region of the Rio Grande do Sul State, during the process of wound healing. Method: It is a descriptive research that analyzed qualitative data, conducted with 31 growers in the South region of the Rio Grande do Sul State. The data were collected between January 2009 and July 2010, through semi-structure interviews and simple observation, with photographic records of medicinal plants and georeferencing. The data were analyzed comparing the information cited through scientific studies. Results: 34 plants used in wound healing were cited. Among them, 24 were quoted in studies due to having healing, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and analgesic potentials that can be associated to the healing process. Conclusion: This study showed that 86% of plants cited by growers are in accordance with the research that was made in the scientific literature, which emphasizes the importance of health professionals in stimulating the use of medicinal plants with attested effect

Medicinal plants used in the process of wound healing by growers in the south region of the RS state

Objetivo: Relatar as plantas utilizadas por agricultores da região Sul do Rio Grande do Sul, no processo de cicatrização de feridas. Métodos: Pesquisa descritiva que analisou dados qualitativos, realizada com 31 agricultores da região Sul do Rio Grande do Sul. Os dados foram coletados entre janeiro de 2009 e julho de 2010, através da entrevista semiestruturada, observação simples, com registro fotográfico das plantas medicinais e georeferenciamento. Os dados foram analisados comparando as informações citadas com estudos científicos.  Resultados: Foram citadas 34 plantas utilizadas na cicatrização de feridas. Entre estas para 24 foram encontrados estudos com potencial cicatrizante, anti-inflamatório, antimicrobiano e analgésico que podem ser associadas à cicatrização. Conclusão: Este estudo mostrou que 86% das plantas citadas pelos agricultores está condizente com a pesquisa feita na literatura científica, destacando a importância dos profissionais de saúde em estimular o uso das plantas medicinais com efeito comprovado

Medicinal plants indicated for flu and colds in the South of Brazil

We sought to know the medicinal plants used for flu and colds by farmers from the South of Rio Grande do Sul State and to compare it with scientific evidence. This descriptive study was conducted with 12 farmers living at Ilha dos Marinheiros, in the city of Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. We used descriptive analysis, comparing the results with the scientific literature. Thirteen plants were cited as used for cold and flu: Achyrocline satureioides, Allium sativum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Citrus limon, Citrus reticulata, Citrus sinensis, Gochnatia polymorpha, Illicium verum, Mentha piperita, Mikania sp., Ocimum selloi, Origanum majorana and Verbena sp. Results show popular knowledge meeting scientific evidence for most indications, seen that 84,6% of cited plants are in agreement with the literature. Thus, we emphasize the richness of popular knowledge, the need of its appreciation and constant approximation of health professionals to this knowledge, integrated with science