Medicinal and phytotherapy plants: traditional and scientific knowledge of native species in Brazil

Abstract

This research aimed to investigate the scientific technological interest of 14 native and endemic species in Brazil that have proven their traditional use. We researched species in Brazil that have proven their traditional use. We researched species published in five popular booklets that represent Brazilian regions and biomes. The research was divided into three stages. In the first one, we investigated the geographic distribution and endemism of the selected species through and endemism of the selected species through the Flora do Brazil platform. In the second stage, we verified the number of records and the number of collections of the species, through the Species link plat formant the third was carried out through a search in the Scopus, web of science and Leans databases, available in the capes periodicals database (www.periodicos.capes.gov.br) in order to investigate the technological indicators. We conclude that the more wide spread the traditional knowledge of certain species, the grater the interest in research that provers its effectiveness. The preservation of traditional knowledge of the use of medicinal plants depends on the dissemination of this knowledge and the promotion of research involving species that have proven popular use.  We understand that traditional knowledge is also important for industries, because although a species does not present scientific studies or patents, in can present an expressive record of traditional knowledge.