Medicinal plants used in communities of the Estado de Guerrero, Mexico

Abstract

Objective To analyze a) the medicinal plants of daily use, b) the diseases that are treated with said remedies and c), the doses that are used in the communities of Taxco el Viejo, Tecalpulco, Mexcaltepec, Hueymatla and Iguala. These localities are located in the Estado de Guerrero, Mexico. Methodology The research was qualitative. Ethnographic approaches and concepts related to convenience sampling were used. Information was collected on the use of herbalism in the localities of Taxco el Viejo, Tecalpulco, Mexcaltepec, Hueymatla, and Iguala. An interview questionnaire was designed with questions related to the characteristics of the main healing plants used, the most common diseases treated, as well as the doses and parts used. Five key informants were interviewed for each community. In total, there were twenty-five informants that were taken into account, originating from the mentioned populations. Results Approximately 35 healing herbs that are used daily in Taxco el Viejo, 50 plants in Tecalpulco, 41 in Mexcaltepec, 36 in Hueymatla, and 29 in Iguala were registered. Likewise, they highlighted various diseases that are treated with this alternative, and their specific doses. Conclusions There is a wide variety of healing plants in common use used by key informants in the mentioned locali-ties. Likewise, it was confirmed how currently herbal medicine is a viable alternative in the treatment of common condi-tions, and one of the priority dilemmas in health care.