Traditional Medicinal Plant Use in Northern Peru
Author Information
Author(s): Rainer W Bussmann, Sharon Douglas
Primary Institution: University of Hawaii
Hypothesis
What are the traditional uses of medicinal plants in Northern Peru over the last two thousand years?
Conclusion
The study found that traditional healing practices in Northern Peru are still vibrant, with a diverse range of medicinal plants being used for various ailments.
Supporting Evidence
- 510 plant species used for medicinal purposes were identified.
- Most plants used (83%) were native to Peru.
- The highest number of species was used for magical/ritual ailments.
Takeaway
People in Northern Peru have been using plants to heal for a very long time, and they still use many different plants today to help with sickness.
Methodology
Plants were collected from markets and traditional healers, and their uses were recorded through interviews.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in the selection of informants and the interpretation of their knowledge.
Limitations
The study may not cover all traditional practices and relies on the knowledge of local healers.
Participant Demographics
The healers interviewed belonged entirely to the Mestizo community.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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