Abstract
The appreciation and recording of traditional knowledge about medicinal plants is the aim of state and national public policies. The Intersectoral Policy of Medicinal Plants and Herbal Medicines in Rio Grande do Sul recommends the stimulation of research on medicinal plants, giving priority to native species. There is a reduction in the occurrence of medicinal species leading to the loss of traditional knowledge due to the reduction of natural areas and the devaluation of traditional knowledge by the new generations. This study aimed to perform bibliographical and documentary research on the use of medicinal plants in Rio Grande do Sul and to consolidate these studies in order to compose material for the compilation of a single list of the most commonly used plant species for medicinal purposes in the state. It was used a quanti-qualitative methodology with bibliographical research and document analysis. Data collection resulted in a list of more than 280 plant species distributed in more than 80 botanical families. It was found that of the 20 species most commonly used, less than 50% are native, a fact closely related to the cultural diversity of the state. This work culminated in the publication of the State Relation of Medicinal Plants of interest to the Brazilian Unified Health System in the Rio Grande do Sul (REPLAME/RS).
Keywords:
medicinal plants; popular medicine; ethnobotanic; medicinal use; popular use