Estudio etnobotánico de plantas medicinales comercializadas en la provincia de El Oro para el tratamiento de afecciones respiratorias

Abstract

The relationship between human beings and medicinal plants has been an ancestral bond that has endured throughout the history of mankind. Since time immemorial, civilizations have sought remedies to treat various conditions, respiratory conditions occupy a prominent place due to their prevalence and their impact on the quality of life of people. In this context, the research seeks to contribute to the rescue and preservation of ancestral knowledge on the use of medicinal plants in the province of El Oro, promoting their rational and appropriate use in the context of modern medicine. The creation of an ethnobotanical document will not only highlight the usefulness of these plants in the treatment of respiratory ailments but will also promote the conservation of traditional knowledge and biodiversity in the region. In order to achieve this research, the following objective was set: to analyze the use of medicinal plants to treat respiratory conditions, through information collected through surveys in the Orense population, collaborating in the conservation of health. For the development of the research, a descriptive and analytical methodology was chosen, with a cross-sectional approach, supporting the statistical data by programs such as SPSS, Jamovi and Excel. Information was obtained through online surveys conducted with 410 inhabitants over 18 years of age, responsible for their health care. These contained questions on the plant species used, preparation methods, the part of the plant used and the route of administration. In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted with herbalists and community elders to obtain more detailed and contextual information on traditional practices. The statistical results applied to consumers and distributors showed that 82.5% of the population studied use medicinal plants to treat respiratory ailments and 17.5% do not use them at any time in their lives. Among the plants most commonly consumed are: eucalyptus, ginger, lemon, etc.; the respiratory ailments that induce the consumption of medicinal plants were: cough, flu, colds, among others. The most common methods of preparation are: infusions, decoctions and vaporizations; using as main part: leaves, flowers and roots of the plants. The most frequent route of administration was oral, followed by inhalation of vapors. The research also highlighted that knowledge about the use of medicinal plants is predominantly in the hands of older people, who transmit it orally to younger generations. However, a decline in interest and transmission of this knowledge was observed, which poses a risk to the continuity of these traditional practices. In conclusion, it was possible to document and analyze the use of medicinal plants in the province of El Oro, revealing a valuable tradition of herbal medicine focused on the treatment of respiratory conditions, highlighting the importance of preserving these practices in the context of modern medicine. Furthermore, the research underscores the need to implement educational programs and public policies that support the preservation and sustainable use of medicinal botanical resources in Ecuador.