ETHNOBOTANY EDUCATION ON THE USE OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN A RIVERINE COMMUNITY ALONG THE PERICUMÃ RIVER, MUNICIPALITY OF PINHEIRO, MARANHÃO, BRAZIL

Abstract

Traditional knowledge of medicinal plants constitutes an important biocultural heritage, particularly among traditional communities that maintain a close relationship with natural resources. This study aimed to investigate, from an ethnobotanical perspective, the knowledge and use of medicinal plants among residents of riverside communities along the Pericumã River, in the municipality of Pinheiro, Maranhão, Brazil. This was an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional field study with a qualitative and quantitative approach. Fifteen residents aged between 30 and 80 years participated in the study, including nine women (60.0%) and six men (40.0%). Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a questionnaire addressing the medicinal plants used, their therapeutic indications, and preparation methods. Nine plants used for medicinal purposes were recorded, all of which were cultivated by the residents themselves. Boldo was the most frequently cited plant, mainly for gastrointestinal complaints. Tea was the most commonly reported preparation method, followed by bottled herbal preparations (“garrafada”), homemade herbal syrups (“lambedor”), and plant juice. Participants aged 50 to 80 years contributed most substantially to the recorded body of knowledge, highlighting the importance of older generations in maintaining and transmitting these practices. In conclusion, medicinal plants remain part of healthcare practices within the investigated community, underscoring the importance of documenting and valuing traditional knowledge while promoting the safe and rational use of medicinal plant species.