Main medicinal plants used by pregnant women in the municipality of Cruzeiro do Sul - Acre, Western Amazon

Abstract

This article presents research on the use of medicinal plants by pregnant women in the Brazilian Amazon. The study aimed to survey the medicinal plants used by pregnant women in a Basic Health Unit in the municipality of Cruzeiro do Sul/AC. The instruments used in the methodology were semi-structured interviews applied to forty-five women in different gestational periods. After analyzing the data obtained, it was noticed that women from urban areas are the ones who use medicinal plants the most (28.8%). During the interview, 20 species of medicinal plants were found, whose motivation was to treat infectious diseases such as inflammation and urinary infection, as well as the conscious use of boldo and rue in search of a spontaneous abortion. And that the passage of information orally still prevails through family members and acquaintances about medicinal treatment. It was concluded by the importance of valuing and conserving this traditional knowledge in harmony with biodiversity. The final considerations highlight the importance of continuing research on the subject to improve current knowledge and promote future advances.