The aim of this work was to establish the cultural, economic and social profile of herb sellers, as well as to survey postharvest procedures for medicinal plants commercialized in open-air markets from Maceió, Alagoas State, Brazil. Social, economic and cultural aspects from 46 herb sellers were evaluated, as well as the postharvest procedures adopted for conservation of medicinal plants commercialized in Maceió. Most of the interviewed herb sellers were born in Maceió, catholic, married, predominantly mulatto and black, and usually received more than one minimum wage per month. The majority of them had been working with medicinal plants for more than 10 years and their knowledge on the plants was mainly acquired from parents and grandparents. Around 30.43% concluded elementary studies. The mostly adopted method for plant drying was the alternated exposure to sun and shadow. The maximum drying and storage times were four days and one year, respectively. Drying and storage usually occurred in the seller's tent after work. There are failures regarding the adopted methods, which can compromise the efficacy of the plant curative compounds.
Ethnobotany; folk knowledge; natural medicine; traditional knowledge
