Ethnobotany in a Modern City: The Persistence in the Use of Medicinal Plants in Guadalajara, Mexico
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Traditional medicinal plant knowledge persists in Guadalajara, Mexico, with 137 species inventoried. Common plants like muicle and pirul treat various ailments, confirming enduring ethnobotanical practices.
Area Of Science
- Ethnobotany
- Traditional Medicine
- Medicinal Plant Research
Background
- Traditional use of medicinal plants is globally significant, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
- Urban ethnobotanical research shows persistent use of medicinal plants, but data from Western Mexico cities is limited.
- Understanding traditional knowledge in Guadalajara is crucial for preserving ethnobotanical heritage.
Purpose Of The Study
- To document traditional medicinal plant knowledge in Guadalajara, Mexico.
- To analyze variations in this knowledge over recent decades.
- To identify commonly used medicinal plants and their applications.
Main Methods
- Conducted interviews with long-term residents of Guadalajara's oldest neighborhoods.
- Compiled data using electronic databases and local/digital herbariums for taxonomic verification.
- Applied Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) to explore relationships among medicinal plant species.
Main Results
- An inventory of 137 medicinal plants was established.
- Key species include Justicia spicigera, Schinus molle, and Matricaria chamomilla, used for diverse ailments.
- PCoA revealed four species groups linked to geographical origin, with 8/14 common species originating from America.
Conclusions
- Traditional medicinal plant knowledge remains strong in Guadalajara.
- Empirically treated illnesses are common globally and across Mexico.
- Findings are supported by scientific literature on phytochemical compounds and biological activity.
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