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Phytotherapics in Odontology: ethnobotanical study in Manaus

The official recognition of herbal medicine in dentistry in Brazil was accompanied by several gaps in scientific research and the use of medicinal plants, specifically for plant species applied to diseases of the oral cavity. The state of Amazonas, specifically the city of Manaus, does not have a diagnosis of applicability of medicinal plants in Dental care services. This research intended to conduct a qualitative and quantitative-type, descriptive and exploratory study in order to conduct a survey on the commercialization of medicinal plants and an ethnobotanical study to identify the main medicinal plants indicated and used in oral pathologies in outpatient dental care in the city of Manaus. We interviewed 197 users of dental services, 150 dentists, and 47 accredited traders in the Municipality of Manaus. The sampling was performed by accessibility or convenience for surgeon-dentists, while users were selected through simple random sampling, and all traders of medicinal plants were interviewed. The results demonstrated that medicinal plants for oral diseases are commercialized, among which the following species are highlighted: Pedra ume Caa (Aulomyrcia sphareocarpa), Crajiru (Arrabidaea chica), in addition to an unidentified botanical plant popularly known as Sara Tudo. 8% of dentists and 7.61% of patients used medicinal plants for oral pathological changes. The authors concluded that medicinal plants commercialized in the city of Manaus are used empirically, and that, despite the rules from the National Policy on Integrative and Complementary Practices (PNPIC), new public health policies must add medicinal plants and herbal medicines for oral use to the public health system of the city of Manaus.

Odontology; Phytotherapics; Ethnobotany


Sociedade Brasileira de Plantas Medicinais Sociedade Brasileira de Plantas Medicinais, Revista Brasileira de Plantas Medicinais, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Departamento de Farmácia, Bloco T22, Avenida Colombo, 5790, 87020-900 - Maringá - PR, Tel: +55-44-3011-4627 - Botucatu - SP - Brazil
E-mail: revista@sbpmed.org.br