Natural medicine: ethnobotany in family farming

Abstract

The present work aimed to recover the knowledge of an ethnobotanical guardian (Silvete Regina Matujacki Koscrevic), through an interview based on a questionnaire approved by the Ethics Committee. The guardian owns rural property in Laguna, Santa Catarina, where she cultivates and uses plants with therapeutic potential. It is important to highlight that the guardian also makes use of native plants that naturally occur on her property. The recovery of ethnobotanical knowledge resulted in 12 plant species with phytotherapeutic purposes. Among the species highlighted by the guardian for their respective therapeutic effects, it was verified that they also have scientific evidence, demonstrating that science, when aligned with empirical knowledge, plays a role in preserving and ensuring that the wisdom of these communities is effectively passed on and protected. Given the vast biodiversity and empirical knowledge about plants traditionally used for physical and emotional healing, it is noteworthy that scientific knowledge serves as an ally by validating the curative effects of these folk practices, thereby enhancing quality of life through access to available therapeutic resources.