This study checked the use of medicinal plants found in the Cerrado mato-grossense for the treatment of hyperlipidemia and obesity. Interviews with 180 people over 50 years were held in Nova Xavantina-MT. The questionnaire addressed popular name, part used, type of preparation and use of the species mentioned, beyond general information about the use of plants. The ten plants most cited were collected, identified and studied through a literature review. Most respondents (95.6%) said using medicinal plants regularly, while 71.5% of them inherited the knowledge of plants of parents and grandparents and 94.20% reported the use to advise youngsters. Furthermore, 93.6% attested that the plants are more effective than the drugs from pharmacy and 57% considered the strong effect of the same, i.e., they always solved health problems. Regarding adverse effects, 95.9% said they have never felt them after the use of plants. Of the respondents, 56.7% knew or had used medicinal plants in the treatment of hyperlipidemias and obesity, being cited 54 medicinal species belonging to 53 different genera and 38 families, with emphasis on Fabaceae (13%). The ten most cited were: guatambu (Aspidosperma tomentosum Mart.), quina-do-cerrado (Strychnos pseudoquina St. Hil.), ipê-roxo [Tabebuia impetiginosa (Mart. Ex DC.) Standl], embaúba (Cecropia pachystachya Trec.), calunga (Simaba sp.), pata-de-vaca [Bauhinia rufa (Bong.) Steud.], mangaba (Hancornia speciosa Gomez), batata-de-tiú [Jatropha elliptica (Pohl.) Muell. Arg.], folha-de-carne (Casearia sylvestris Sw.) and manacá (Spiranthera odoratissima A. St.-Hil.). The leaf was the most used (46%) and the preparation of the plants occurs mainly through the infusion cited by 36,5% of respondents. Despite the popular use of these plants for treatment of obesity and hyperlipidemia, further chemical and pharmacological studies are required to demonstrate these activities, in order to develop a phytotherapic product.
Ethnobotanical survey; Nova Xavantina; medicinal plants; anti-hyperlipidemic plants; anoretic plants; Cerrado
