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Article

An Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal Plants Used in Papantla, Veracruz, Mexico

by
Eduardo Alberto Lara Reimers
1,
Eloy Fernández C.
1,*,
David J. Lara Reimers
2,
Petra Chaloupkova
3,
Juan Manuel Zepeda del Valle
4,
Luigi Milella
5,6,* and
Daniela Russo
5,6
1
Department of Crop Sciences and Agroforestry, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Praha 6—Suchdol, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague, Czech Republic
2
Department of Forestry Engineering, Division of Forest Sciences, Autonomy University of Chapingo, Km 38.5 roadway, México–Texcoco, Chapingo, CP 56230, Mexico
3
Department of Economics and Development, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Praha 6—Suchdol, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague, Czech Republic
4
Department of Regional Rural Development, Autonomy University of Chapingo Zacatecas, Zacatecas 98085, Mexico
5
Department of Science, Basilicata University, V.le Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
6
BioActiPlant s.r.l., Academic spinoff, Basilicata University, V.le Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Plants 2019, 8(8), 246; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants8080246
Submission received: 21 June 2019 / Revised: 13 July 2019 / Accepted: 22 July 2019 / Published: 24 July 2019
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Systematics, Taxonomy, Nomenclature and Classification)

Abstract

:
An ethnobotanical study was performed to collect information on the use of medicinal plants in Papantla, Veracruz, Mexico. The area has a high number of endemic species, and the social importance of the medicinal plants in the community is essential for public health and the conservation of traditional knowledge. This study identified the medicinal plants currently used, registered traditional knowledge, and documented the patterns of ailments treated in the indigenous communities of Totonacas. A total of 101 medicinal plants belonging to 51 families were described by 85 local informants. Asteraceae was the family with the highest number of plant species identified by these informants. Plant parts are used to treat several ailments, including venomous bites, gastro-intestinal disorders, infectious diseases and other disorders. Informants reported that the most common plant part used was the leaf tissue (55%), and they also took the herbal remedies orally (72%), and decoctions (38%) as well as infusions (29%) were the forms used to prepare these natural remedies. This study provides documentation of medicinal plants used in the Veracruz area of Mexico. Mexican people are still dependent upon medicinal plants, and in order to avoid their loss, certain measures of conservation for medicinal plants are needed.

Graphical Abstract

1. Introduction

Traditional medicine is considered the first health care resource to treat ailments in several countries [1,2,3], and about 80% of people in the world depend upon traditional medicine, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) [4].
Traditional medicine studies include ethnomedicine, which involves the practices most used by people that live in rural areas and indigenous communities, and this ethnomedicine is affected by factors such as age, gender, economic activity, socio-economic level, migration, access to new health care systems, new herbal products and urbanisation [5,6,7]. The diversity of medicinal plants is very high in Mexico; the country contains a wide variety of plants (30,000) which have not been explored in their totality [8], and a significant number are endemic (uniquely native) species [9].
In Mexico, there are more than 50 indigenous languages spoken, and this country is very well-known for its biological diversity [10]. At the national level, the majority of Mexican indigenous populations live in rural areas (61.1% in communities with less than 2500 inhabitants).
The gathering and use of local resources are still important aspects of the phytotherapeutic traditions in many regions of Mexico. Plants are also used for ornamental, nutritional (food and fodder), pharmaceutical, aromatic, religious or construction purposes [9]. Aspects such as the richness and diversity of cultures will increase the relative importance and roles (uses) that each plant could have in respective communities. Mexican medicinal plants play an important role in public health among the local communities. In fact, traditional medicine is the first route to treat ailments, because many drugs are expensive, or are not always available locally [11].
Mexico has 31 states and a federal district, and Veracruz is one of the richest with regard to its biological and cultural diversity [12]. The medicinal flora of Veracruz has been used as remedies to treat several diseases, including those of the digestive system, skin and reproductive system, or for religious-cultural practices (often referred as “limpias”) [13]. In the Veracruz area, there are a number of indigenous groups who are keen consumers and practitioners of traditional medicine, such as the Totonacs, Tepehuas, Nahuas, Otomies, Popurcas, Zocos and the Popoluca Zaco, among others [14]. Previous studies carried out in the State of Veracruz registered more than 600 different taxa used for therapeutic purposes by the Popoluca (southern Veracruz) [15]. This supports the need to keep studying the areas previously studied in order to quantify and record these potential plants without antecedents. The wild flora in the state still play an important role, with different benefits for the social and ecological systems [16]. The Totonacs have a history of traditional medicine uses, and they are well-known for preserving a wide variety of plants. In the study area, as in other regions and countries, the recording of traditional knowledge is not widely promoted or supported, and the preservation of plant use knowledge is still carried out in oral form, and transmitted generation-by-generation [17]. Due to this fact, the aim of our work was to discover and document the traditional knowledge of medicinal plants in the 16 communities of Papantla, Veracruz, Mexico. A quantitative ethnobotanical approach was performed to analyse the medicinal use of plants and to select the important species in Papantla traditional medicine.

2. Results and Discussion

2.1. Characteristics of the Informants

There is a high prevalence in the use of medicinal plants and traditional knowledge in the Veracruz area. Table 1 provides the socio-demographic information such as residence, gender, age, occupation and annual expenditure in plants of the informants. Of the 85 indigenous people who answered the form, men represented the highest number (53%), and people from 70 to 85 years appeared to have a more extensive knowledge of these plants. In general, the gender was not significantly correlated to age and plant knowledge [18,19]. Even though all of the respondents generally used traditional plants, it has been common that, in many parts of the world, the women always demonstrate a more extensive knowledge in the use of plants [20]. This could be due to their roles in the family.
Previous studies have shown that women usually have more knowledge about medicinal plants, and men know more about timber and handcraft species. This happens due to the sexual division of labour, and external factors resulting from the male migration of the young people inside the communities [18,21]. In our study, women on average cite two more plants and spend more money (17 plants, expenditure: $200) than their male counterparts (15 plants, expenditure: $176). Homemakers ($210 annually) generally spend more money for plants compared to those in other occupations; the lowest expenditure was observed for the sellers. The expenditure for plants during the year is equivalent to two days of work for the farmers. Case, et al. [22] mentions that local knowledge in plants increases with increasing geographical isolation; the people intensively use more plant species due to the scarcity of medical centres, specialists or medicines. Nevertheless, other studies have related family income (economic status) as the main factor in the number and the uses of known plants [23].
The keepers of the traditional knowledge were found to be the teachers (average of 22 plants), followed by farmers (18 plants), and housewives (15 plants). Academic staff (teachers) showed more knowledge of plants because they received children from different communities, and the social engagement in those schools promoted and applied different strategies to keep their costumes, languages and traditions alive inside the classroom.
In Mexico, the preservation of plant use knowledge is still carried out in oral form and transmitted generation by generation. In fact, informants declare that the origin of the traditional knowledge was given by the family (87%) and the specialist “shamans” (13%). More than half of the informants (58%) claimed to perceive a decrease (medium and high loss) in the traditional knowledge during their youth; the rest (42%) did not perceive any alarming decrease.
Seventy-eight of the informants (92%) were actively using medicinal plants in their daily lives, but 70 of these (82%) recur to the plants in the first instance to treat their ailments. Nevertheless, there were just 16% (14 people) going to specialists. The informants obtained the plants mostly from wild gathering (37%), the market (35%) and familiar gardens (28%).
Some informants (29%) expressed that they do not have any expenditure in buying plants, since they know the surrounding areas where they can find them. The informants (38%) positively emphasised the usage of medicinal plants as part of their cultural uses (38%), and they consider them as an effective and cheap resource (35%) since their childhood to treat human disorders.

2.2. Mode of Preparation and Administration of Different Plant Parts

Informants recognised 101 ethnobotanical plants belonging to 51 families distributed in 95 genera (Table 2), which were commonly used by most the of indigenous people for the treatments of 77 ailments. The most represented families were Asteraceae and Rutaceae, with eight plant species for each one, followed by Fabaceae (six species), Myrtaceae, Malvaceae and Apocynaceae (four species), and then Euphorbiaceae, Lamiaceae, Meliaceae and Poaceae with three species. Other families had two and one species each reported. Plant species of the Asteraceae family were the most used in Populoca, Veracruz [24], and not only in Papantla. This could be due to the abundance and wide variety of Asteraceae species in ecosystems in the northern and rainforest areas of Veracruz [16,18] and to their relative cultural importance. The plant list reported that a total of 61% of the species are native, 37% are exotic, and only 2% are endemic. The indigenous people keep using the local plants due to the great knowledge of the properties of these plants. The plant parts are usually consumed fresh (83%), and leaves (55%) represented the most common plant parts used by the informants to prepare their medicinal remedies. Leaves were followed by roots, bark, fruits, stems, whole plants, seeds, latex and flowers (Figure 1).
The main reason for the use of leaves was the ease of collecting them. Herbal medicines are either based on single species or mixed with other plant species. Nowadays, the use of the multi-treatment (contemporary and conventional medicine) becomes a usual method for people to save money, obtain more results, and reduce the allopathic effects from the modern medicaments [25]. The mixture of two or more plants is seen in this study; and it is known that the use of more than two herbs could contain a range of different active compounds and can modify its effect, enhancing or reducing the healing effect. If we considered each mixture as one single remedy [26], the list of natural remedies could be multiplied. Nonetheless, the toxic effects should be studied in depth. Many of the plants were used in minimal concentrations by the locals, but they are still unknown and unregistered. It is remarkable that the use of exotic plants has not been well investigated against normal symptoms.
Two main routes of the administration of herbal remedies are reported: Oral (72%) and topical (28%) administration. Herbal remedies were prepared by using ten different methods. The main forms used were decoctions (38%) and infusions (29%), but raw plant material (11%) was eaten fresh in order to combat gastrointestinal disorders, for blood circulation and against local pain (tooth pain). Raw materials of leaves, whole plants or stems were used for rituals, such as bad wind and evil eye. Bath and cataplasm (7%) were applied to treat skin disorders (wounds) and to treat infective diseases such as chicken pox, smallpox and measles. Liquefied, crushed and smashed (5%) remedies were used fresh and extracted from different plant parts for the treatment of diabetes and kidney problems. Squeezed (4%), tinctured (3%) and burned (2%) remedies were mainly used to treat rheumatism, pain in the ears and wounds. The leaves of H. patens were used as therapy, where the leaves were burned and applied over the chest to promote breastfeeding in women. Bark, fruits and seeds were also fermented (2%) to prepare alcoholic drinks (Figure 2).

2.3. Use Reports, Informant’s Consensus Factor and Fidelity Level

Given the results of our observations, the studied communities had a significant variety of traditional uses, with a specific frame of ailments. A total of 77 ailments were grouped into 17 use-categories (Table 3) based upon the information gathered from those interviewed.
The ICF was calculated for each ailment category, and the highest value was calculated for poisonous animal bites (ICF = 0.92), which was for the roots of two plant species, Pentalinon andrieuxii (Müll.Arg.) B. F. Hansen & Wunderlin (13 UR) and Allium sativum L. (1 UR), which were reported by informants to be used in tinctures for the treatment of snakebites. These species are the same species used to treat snakebite in Central America [27].
Problems related with different types of cancer (oncology use-category) showed an ICF of 0.91 with 5 species and 44 URs, followed by gastro-intestinal disorders (ICF = 0.89), with 29 species and 247 URs. Infective diseases and fever had an ICF of 0.87 with 13 species and 93 URs; kidney disorders and genital-urinary disorders reported a similar ICF, with 17 species associated with each. The use-category of liver disorders showed the lowest degree of consensus; only three informants mentioned three plant species to treat ailments belonging to this category (cirrhosis, hepatitis and liver disorders); probably informants had not exchanged their information. Malnutrition, poverty and environmental conditions are the main factors causing common ailments (digestive, respiratory and skin disorders), as previously reported [28,29]. This study also found that cancer (in the stomach, skin and gallbladder) and diabetes cases have increased recently, and this problem could be related to the diet in the region. Decoctions and infusions of leaves from Asclepias curassavica (16 URs), Rauvolfia tetraphylla (11 URs) and Hamelia patens (9 UR) were used to treat cancer, whereas plants, such as Tecoma stans, Psidium guajava, Hamelia patens, Persea americana and Anacardium occidentale, were included within the treatments for diabetes [30]. Matricaria recutita, Mentha spicata, Psidium guajava, and Chenopodium ambrosioides, are consumed in nine other Mexican states [5,31,32]. Aloe vera, Piper auritum, Rutha chalepensis, Citrus limon, Annona reticulate, and Cocos nucifera have been recorded to be widely used by indigenous people in central-southern Mexico [28,33].
The most commonly used species was Hamelia patens Jacq, with 77 URs. It is a large perennial shrub that has been used against a range of ailments by other indigenous communities in Mexico [34]. Totonacs use Hamelia patens to treat problems related to diabetes (UR = 18), gastrointestinal disorders (gastritis, colitis, and ulcers) (UR = 17), cancer (UR = 9), high blood pressure and blood circulation, respiratory problems, anaemia, breastfeeding, menstruation, skin disorders and wounds. Its medical effects has been proved in another countries, including India [35], in treatments of nervous shock for its antidepressant properties, athletes’ foot, skin lesions, insect bites, inflammation, rheumatism, headache, asthma and dysentery.
The leaves of Persea americana are commonly used by the Mexicans in infusions to treat gastrointestinal problems; nevertheless, previous reports have shown an increased use of the bark and seeds against diabetes, cholesterol and kidney problems in Central America [36,37]. Currently, Aloe vera plays an important role for its pharmacological effectiveness in treating a large number of ailments, such as skin problems, gastrointestinal problems, blood circulation problems, kidney problems and malnutrition, but it has been widely used by people with diabetes in Central America [30]. The use of Aloe vera has been spread throughout Latin America; and its ease of management and reproduction provided a cheap option for industry and people to grow it.
Additionally, the prevalence of new health problems that are present in tropical areas, such as dengue and Chikungunya, is getting more common around the world, and the way to combat them is a challenge for the people. The local people use coconut water as a strategy to reduce the impact of dehydration with the effects caused by Chikungunya. They also boil the mango leaves and mix them with the coconut water to drink and manage the fever caused by mosquito-borne diseases.
Our findings are in line with Alonso-Castro, et al. [29], where the main reasons of why people use medicinal plants in Mexico are related to their effectiveness and the low cost of usage and acquisition. However, they use traditional medicine as a complementary alternative to modern medicine, which is becoming more commonly used to treat diseases in Mexico in the past few decades [38].
The present study shows FL values varying from 23.4% to 100% (Table 2). The results reported 50 medicinal plant species having maximum 100% FL. The high FL shows the preference of these plant species by informants for the treatment of specific diseases [39].

3. Materials and Methods

3.1. Description of the Study Area

The study area, geographically known as Totonacapan, is located in the northern part of Veracruz (Figure 3). It is a part of the Northern Gulf Coastal Plain with an area of 4300 km2. This region represents about 5.97% of the total area of the state of Veracruz, and comprises 15 municipalities. The study area belongs to the municipality of Papantla, known as Papanteca, with coordinates 20°27′39″ S and 97°19′39″, W, and it lies at 180 m above sea level. It has an area of 1458.50 km2, which represents 2.03% of the state.
The climate is humid–warm, with an average annual temperature between 22 and 26 °C. The annual rainfall in the area varies between 1000 and 1500 mm. Totonacapan has a humid warm vegetation in most of its areas. The most common soils are Phaeozem-type Regosols and Vertisols, which are susceptible to erosion.

3.2. Socio-Economic Description

The municipal territory is mainly devoted to agriculture (68%), followed by 11% livestock, 13% housing; the remaining 8% are occupied by trade, public offices and public spaces. The total population in the Totonacapan amounts to 622,846 inhabitants, of which 204,934 people form the economically active population (32.9%). Nevertheless, it should be noted that 32.5% of Totonac’s population work in the primary sector (agriculture, fisheries and forestry), and around 66,000 people in Papantla have indigenous roots. According to Rivera and Ruiz-Ramírez [40], 77 of the 212 municipalities in the state have moderate poverty.
The ethnic composition of Veracruz is quite diverse and complex. Veracruz is the third-highest state in terms of the number of indigenous people (1,037,424) in México (CDI: National Commission for the Development of Indigenous Peoples) [41]. The state is divided into seven ethnic regions, and ethnic linguistic groups are located in the state of Veracruz. These groups still speak 14 different languages [Huasteco (Tenek), Popoluca, Mixe, Zoque, Chinanteco, Zapoteco, Mazateco, Mixteco, Otomí, Totonaca, Tepehua, Náhuatl from the Huasteca, Náhuatl from the Sierra de Zongolica, and Nahua from the south]. The most representative groups are Mazatecos, Totonacos and Zapotecos [40].
The Totonacos group lives in the city of Papantla and the surrounding areas; the tourism in this area helps them to sell handcrafts. Moreover, the performances of the sky dancers (Papantla flyers), and shamans are the main reason for tourism throughout the Mexican territory. It also has a remarkably high number of tourists who travel from different parts of the country to visit the shamans and buy the medicinal plants. The agriculture, livestock, forestry, traditional textile clothes, plants, fruits, practicing of traditional medicine and informal employment are the base of the local economy. Corn, beans, coffee, vanilla, bananas, citrons and oranges are the main crops produced in the region [7,18,42].
Previous studies performed in neighbour municipalities [18] have shown the number of farmers depending on the farm products, and discuss migration and a lack of good opportunities causing a loss of interest to preserve the traditional knowledge in the new generation. The study area is highly interesting, and represents a special combination of different factors to study the patterns of traditional medicine.

3.3. Ethnobotanical Analysis

Fieldwork was carried out from March to August of 2017 in 16 communities in the Papantla region (Adolfo López, Arroyo Grande, Carrizal, Cedros, Lahuas, Natividad, Panti, Papantla, Polutla, Poza Rica, Pozo Verde, San Antonio Xital, Veracruz, Spoupat, Volador and Zapotal). Before starting the survey, ethical approval for the study was first obtained from the indigenous organised group “Consejo de Ancianos de la Sabiduria Ancestral”. Likewise, the president of the indigenous group, Miss María Luisa Santes Santes, supported and accompanied the visits to the people interviewed; this was in order to explain to them the investigation’s purpose and to ask for their participation in this study. The questionnaires were supplied in the Spanish language and translated into the local language (Totonaco dialect) for the indigenous people who did not speak Spanish. Two translators accompanied the interviewer. Ethnobotanical information was collected from local inhabitants by using semi-structured questionnaires. A total of 85 informants were selected by snowball sampling. The informants were interviewed in their houses, in the streets and in local markets. Participant observation was also part of the interview, in order to have a better interpretation and analysis of the data reported by these informants.
The informants were asked to provide knowledge about the plant uses (local names, indication of use, used plant parts, places/methods/rituals of harvesting and administration mode). The informants were asked to show the place where they usually collect the plants. Many visits were conducted with the interviewed informants in order to collect, press and identify the medicinal plants. The plant material was collected by the authors and taxonomically identified. The botanical names of the species were verified with The Plant List (2013) (http://www.theplantlist.org) and voucher specimens were deposited in the Herbarium at the Chapingo Autonomous University.

3.4. Data Analysis

3.4.1. Use Categories

Based on the information obtained from the indigenous people in the study area, all of the reported ailments were categorised into use-categories. The basic structure of ethnobotanical information is the use-report (UR) and this can be considered as an individual report of a specific taxon/drug for a certain use-category. When a plant is cited as “used”, it is considered as one “use-report”, but if one informant mentions the same plant to treat more diseases in the same category, it is considered as a single use-report.

3.4.2. Informants’ Consensus Factor (ICF)

In this study, the level of homogeneity among the information collected from diverse informants for plant species in treating particular diseases was calculated by the informants’ consensus factor (ICF). It was estimated using the following formula [43]:
I C F = N u r N t N u r 1
where, Nur is the number of UR in each disease category and Nt is number of species used. Low ICF values suggest that the plant is used randomly, or information on its use is not exchanged among informants, whereas a high exchange of information and a well-defined selection criterion in the community is reported for a plant with high ICF values.

3.4.3. Fidelity level (FL)

Fidelity level (FL) represents the percentage of informants claiming the use of a certain plant for the same major purpose, which can be calculated for the most frequently reported diseases or ailments as:
FL (%) = (Np/N) × 100
where “Np” is the number of informants that claim a use of a plant species to treat a particular ailment, and “N” is the number of informants that use the plants as a medicine to treat any given disease or category [44].

4. Conclusions

The collected information indicates that the study area is rich in medicinal plants, and the results contribute to spread their uses. The social importance of the medicinal plants in the community is quite important for the public health and the conservation of traditional knowledge, and good management is required. In Papantla (Veracruz, Mexico), the indigenous population still depends upon medicinal plants to treat several ailments. The plants used have a mostly native origin. The species most frequently mentioned by the informants was Hamelia patens followed by Persea americana, Bursera simaruba, Matricaria chamomilla, Mentha spicata and Aloe vera. The safety and efficacy of cited plants needs to be investigated by phytochemical and pharmacological analysis, as it has been previously performed on several other traditionally used plant species [45,46,47].

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, E.F.C., J.M.Z.d.V and L.M.; Methodology, E.A.L.R., E.F.C., D.J.L.R., P.C., J.M.Z.d.V., L.M. and D.R.; Software, E.A.L.R., D.J.L.R., J.M.Z.d.V., E.F.C.; Validation, P.C., D.R. and L.M.; Formal Analysis, E.A.L.R., D.J.L.R., P.C., J.M.Z.d.V.; Investigation, E.F.C., L.M. and D.R.; Resources, E.F.C. and L.M.; Data Curation, E.A.L.R., E.F.C., D.J.L.R., P.C., J.M.Z.d.V., L.M. and D.R.; Writing – Original Draft Preparation, E.A.L.R., E.F.C., D.J.L.R., P.C., J.M.Z.d.V.; Writing – Review & Editing, E.F.C. and L.M.; Supervision, E.F.C., L.M. and D.R.; Project Administration, L.M. and D.R.; Funding Acquisition, E.F.C. and L.M.

Funding

This work was supported by the Regione Basilicata; the Fondazione Enrico Mattei DGR n. 1490 del 4/12/2014, vs rep. n. 163 n8; and the Regional Project ALIMINTEGRA, GO NUTRIBAS financed on 16.1 PSR Basilicata founding ex D.G.R. n° 312/17 CUP: C31G18000210002.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank and acknowledge the local inhabitants of Papantla, Veracruz, Mexico for sharing their traditional medicinal plant knowledge.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

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Figure 1. Plant parts used to prepare medicinal remedies.
Figure 1. Plant parts used to prepare medicinal remedies.
Plants 08 00246 g001
Figure 2. Remedies preparations expressed as percentages (%).
Figure 2. Remedies preparations expressed as percentages (%).
Plants 08 00246 g002
Figure 3. Study area of Veracruz, Mexico.
Figure 3. Study area of Veracruz, Mexico.
Plants 08 00246 g003
Table 1. Socio-demographic characteristics of the 85 informants.
Table 1. Socio-demographic characteristics of the 85 informants.
Background CharacteristicNo%Annual Expenditure
(Mexican Pesos, $)
ResidenceRural2631160
Urban5969200
GenderFemale4047174
Male4553200
Age>2022200
21–301315233
31–401214183
41–501619173
51–602024210
61–701417120
71–8589225
OccupationFarmer911114
Housewife2125210
Seller4550
Teacher22200
Worker4047181
Other910222
Table 2. Traditional use of medicinal plants among herbal practitioners in the study area (Totonac indigenous group).
Table 2. Traditional use of medicinal plants among herbal practitioners in the study area (Totonac indigenous group).
FamilyScientific NameVoucher SpecimenCommon NameOriginPlant Part UsedAilmentsCategoryPreparation ModeDetailed AdministrationURFL (%)
AmaranthaceaeBeta vulgaris L.PA-01betabelExrootintestinal wormsGfreshraw1100.0
stomach acheGfreshinfusion1
AmaryllidaceaeAllium cepa L.PA-02cebolla moradaExrooterectionDfreshcrushed166.7
kidney problemCfreshcrushed1
veterinary fever in chickenRfreshsmashed4
AmaryllidaceaeAllium sativum L.PA-03ajoExrootblood circulationBfreshinfusion326.3
coldAfreshinfusion2
grains in the skinOfreshbath2
ajo con alcohol rootliver problemsNfreshmicrodosis1
rheumatismEfreshtincture5
snake bitesMfreshtincture1
AmaryllidaceaeAllium sativum L. ajo con (with) aguacate leavesstomach acheGfreshinfusion3
tooth painLfreshraw2
AnacardiaceaeSpondias mombin L.PA-04caña con jobo, durazno y piñaNbarkalcoholic drinkRdryfermented166.7
fluAdrydecocted6
tooth painLdrydecocted2
AnnonaceaeAnnona glabra L.PA-05anonaNleavesdiarrhoeaGfreshinfusion757.9
fruitdrinkSfresh 3
leavesstomach acheGfreshinfusion4
fruitto have childrenDdrysqueezed3
leavesto have childrenDfreshinfusion2
AnnonaceaeMangifera indica LPA-06mango Ex seeddiarrhoeaGfreshdecocted4100.0
ApiaceaeArracacia atropurpúreaPA-07cominoNleavesdiarrhoeaGdrydecocted6100.0
ApiáceasAnnona muricataPA-08guanabanaNleavescancerIfreshinfusion734.4
leavesdiabetesHfreshinfusion6
leaveshigh pressureBfreshinfusion11
ApiáceasApium graveolens L. apio ExstemcholesterolBfreshliquefied8100.0
ApocynaceaePentalinon andrieuxii (Müll.Arg.) B.F.Hansen & WunderlinPA-09guaco enredaderaN rootsnake bitesMdrytincture13100.0
ApocynaceaeRauvolfia tetraphylla L.PA-10cancerinaN leavescancerIfreshinfusion11100.0
ArecaceaeCocos nucifera L.PA-11coco and caña moradaExleavesblood circulationBfreshraw368.8
chinkunguyaPfreshraw5
denguePfreshraw6
barkstop bleeding in the parthumDfreshdecocted2
ArecáceasAcrocomia aculeata (Jacq.) Lodd. ex Mart.PA-12coyol redondo palmaN rootdiabetesHdryinfusion350.0
barkeyes problemQdrydecocted350.0
AsclepiadaceaeAsclepias curassavica L.PA-13hierva del sapoN leavescancerIfreshdecocted1659.,3
leavesdiabetesHdryinfusion5
leaveskidney problemCfreshdecocted6
AsteraceaeArtemisia ludoviciana Nutt.PA-14estafiateNstemcholesterolBfreshinfusion12100.0
AsteraceaeCalea ternifolia Oliv. ex ThurnPA-15zacate chichiNleaves, stem, flowerbileGfreshinfusion570.6
diabetesHfreshinfusion12
AsteraceaeCyclolepis genistoides D.DonPA-16palo azulExbarkkidney problemCdrydecocted4100.0
AsteraceaeGnaphalium viscosum KunthPA-17gordoloboNwhole plantcoughAfreshinfusion2100.0
AsteraceaeMatricaria chamomilla L.PA-18manzanillaExwhole plantcolic painDfreshdecocted1647.1
leaveseyes problemQfreshbath4
whole plantstomach acheGfreshdecocted14
AsteraceaeParthenium hysterophorus L.PA-19chuchullate o tres hojitasNstemanaemiaBfreshdecocted153.8
leavesdiabetesHfreshinfusion7
leaveswoundsOfreshbath2
woundsOfreshdecocted3
AsteraceaeTagetes erecta L.PA-20flor de muertoNrootstomach acheGdrydecocted6100.0
AsteraceaeVerbesina persicifolia D.CPA-21huichinNleavesdiabetesHfreshinfusion939.1
leavesgastritisGfreshdecocted1
roothigh pressureBfreshdecocted939.1
rootinflammationEfreshbath4
BignoniaceaeParmentiera aculeata (Kunth) Seem.PA-22chote, chioteNflowerveterinary usesRfreshdecocted750.0
kidney problemCfreshdecocted7
BignoniaceaeTecoma stans (L.) Juss. ex KunthPA-23tronadora (hoja de san pedro)Nleavesinfection in skinOfreshburned2100.0
BrassicaceaeNasturtium officinale R. Br.PA-24berrosNleavesanaemiaBfreshbath3100.0
BurseraceaeBursera simaruba (L.) Sarg.PA-25chaca leavesfeverPfreshcataplasm45100.0
CactaceaeOpuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.PA-26Nopal, pepino and cascaraNleavescholesterolBfreshliquefied266.7
clean stomachGfreshliquefied8
diabetesHfreshdecocted2
CannabaceaCannabis sativa L.PA-27marihuanaEx whole plantrheumatismEfreshtincture9100.0
CannabaceaeTrema micrantha (L) BlumePA-28puamNleaveschicken poxPfreshbath8100.0
measlesPfreshbath6
CaricaceaeCarica papaya L.PA-29papaya stempain in earsQfreshburned5100.0
ChenopodiaceaeChenopodium ambrosioidesPA-30epasoteNleavesintestinal wormsGfreshinfusion13100.0
stomach acheGfreshinfusion12
CommelinaceaeTradescantia spathacea Sw.PA-31barquilla, maguey moradoNleavesgrains in the mouthLfreshsqueezed338.7
kidney problemCfreshinfusion8
respiratory systemAfreshinfusion8
woundsOfreshburned1
skin infectionOfreshbath3
wounds and bruisesOfreshcataplasm8
CucurbitaceaeCucurbita pepo L.PA-32calabazaNlatexscratches, woundsOfreshsqueezed4100.0
CucurbitaceaeSechium edule (Jacq.) Sw.PA-33chayoteNfruitcholesterolBfreshdecocted12100.0
EuphorbiaceaeCnidoscolus chayamansa Mc VaughPA-34chayaNleaveshigh pressureBfreshdecocted7100.0
EuphorbiaceaeCnidoscolus tubulosus (Müll.Arg.) I.M.Johnst.PA-35hortiga macho con espinaNrootkidney problemCdrydecocted561.1
stemkidney problemCfreshinfusion6
latextooth painLfreshraw7
EuphorbiaceaeEuphorbia hirta L.PA-36riñoninaNleaveskidney problemCfreshinfusion6100.0
EuphorbiaceaeJatropha curcas L.PA-37piñonNlatexbleeding of the gums,Lfreshtopical raw457.1
leavesgrainsOfreshbath1
latexherpesPfreshtopical raw2
FabaceaeBauhinia divaricata L.PA-38pata de vaca NleavesdiabetesHfreshinfusion444.4
diarrhoeaGfreshinfusion3
Mixed with crushed rice whole plantdysenteryGfreshdecocted1
leavesgrains in the skinOfreshbath1
FabaceaeCassia fistula L.PA-39hojasenExleavescolitisGfreshinfusion3100.0
FabaceaeErythrina caribaea Krukoff & BarnebyPA-40pichocoNbarkpush delivering in parthumDfreshdecocted2100.0
FabaceaeEysenhardtia polystachya (Ortega) SargPA-41tarai (palo azul)Nbarkkidney problemCdryinfusion5100.0
FabaceaeGliricidia sepium (Jacq.) WalpPA-42cocohuiteNleavesfeverPfreshtincture2100.0
FabaceaeLeucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de WitPA-43guajeNfruitintestinal wormsGfreshraw4100.0
GeraniaceaePelargonium spp.PA-44malva con hortigaEx leaveschicken poxPfreshdecocted150.0
grainsOfreshdecocted1
LamiaceaeMentha spicata L.PA-45hierva buenaExleavescolic painDfreshinfusion1457.6
stomach acheGfreshdecocted19
LamiaceaeOcimum basilicum L.PA-46albacaharNleavesanxietyFfreshraw736.0
bad windSfreshraw3
dizzyQfreshinfusion9
evil eyeSfreshbath4
high pressureBfreshinfusion1
nausea Gfreshinfusion1
LamiaceaeSalvia spp.PA-47salviaEn leavesspasmEfreshdecocted2100.0
LauraceaeCinnamomum verum J.PreslPA-48mango con canelaEx leavesabortiveDfreshdecocted258.3
chinkunguyaPfreshdecocted2
coughAfreshdecocted1
colic painDfreshdecocted5
drinkSfreshdecocted2
LauraceaePersea americana Mill.PA-49aguacateNseedabortiveDfreshdecocted586.2
LauraceaePersea americana Mill. aguacate olorosoNleavesdiarrhoeaGfreshinfusion19
seedkidney problemCfreshliquefied3
leavesnauseaGfreshinfusion2
leavesstomach acheGfreshinfusion29
LoranthaceaeStruthanthus crassipes (Oliver) Eichl.PA-50secapaloEn leavesgrainsOfreshdecocted753.3
kidney problemCfreshdecocted7
woundsOfreshbath1
MalvaceaeGuazum aulmifolia Lam.PA-51guazimaNbarkcolitisGdrydecocted561.9
barkdiabetesHdrydecocted4
barkdiarrhoeaGdrydecocted4
fruitdrinkSfreshsqueezed2
barkstomach acheGdrydecocted4
leavesveterinaryRfreshraw2
MalvaceaeHeliocarpus appendiculatus Turcz.PA-52jonoteNlatexwoundsOdrytopical raw4100.0
MalvaceaeSida rhombifolia L.PA-53malva and albacaharNleavesbad windSfreshraw1100.0
stemritualSfreshraw4
MalvaceaeSphaeralcea angustifolia (Cav.) G.DonPA-54hierva del negroNwhole plantbad windSfreshraw15100.0
MeliaceaeAzadirachta indica A. Juss.PA-55neemEx fruitdiabetesHfreshinfusion18100.0
MeliaceaeCedrela odorata L.PA-56cedroNbarkabortiveDdrydecocted475.0
barkfeverPdrydecocted1
leavesinflammationEfreshdecocted1
barkproblems in trying to have childrenDdrydecocted2
MeliaceaeMelia azedarach L.PA-57piochaExleavesdiabetesHfreshinfusion8100.0
MonimiaceaePeumus boldus MolinaPA-58boldoExleavescolitisGfreshinfusion4100.0
MoraceaeMorus celtidifolia KunthPA-59moraNleaveschinkunguyaPfreshdecocted266.7
leavestooth painLfreshraw1
MoringaceaeMoringa oleifera Lam.PA-60moringaExleavescancerIfreshdecocted185.7
leavesdiabetesHfreshdecocted6
MusaceaeMusa spp.PA-61platanoExbarkrespiratory systemAfreshdecocted277.8
barktuberculosisPfreshfermented7
MyrsinaceaeArdisia compressa KunthPA-62capulin and nonaNleavesstomach acheGfreshinfusion562.5
leaveswoundsOfreshbath3
MyrtaceaeEucalyptus globulus LabillPA-63eucaliptoExleavesbronchitisAfreshdecocted3100.0
MyrtaceaePimenta dioica(L.) Merr.PA-64pimientaEx leavesfluAfreshdecocted3100.0
MyrtaceaePsidium guajava L.PA-65guayabaN leavesdiarrhoeaGdrydecocted1653.3
barkfluAdrydecocted14
MyrtaceaeSyzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & PerryPA-66clavoExseedtooth painLdrytopical raw5100.0
NyctaginaceaeBougainville aglabra ChoisyPA-67bugambiliaEx flowercoughAfreshinfusion19100.0
OrchidaceaeVanilla planifolia Jacks. ex AndrewsPA-68vainillaNfruitdrinkSfreshfermented272.7
fruitdrinkSfreshraw6
fruitmenopauseDfreshtincture1
leavesmenopauseDfreshdecocted2
PapaveraceaeFumaria officinalis L. PA-69Sangre de Cristo (Blood of Christ)ExleaveswoundsOfreshbath3100.0
PassifloraceaePassiflora coriacea Juss.PA-70hierva del murcielagoNleaveskidney problemCfreshdecocted6100.0
PedaliaceaeSesamum indicum L.PA-71ajonjoliExseedbreastfeedingDdrydecocted15100.0
PiperaceaePeperomia granulosa Trel.PA-72gordonzillo (acoyo)NrootbreastfeedingDfreshdecocted553.1
stemsmenstruationDfreshdecocted4
rootto have childrenDfreshdecocted8
leavescirrhosisNfreshinfusion1
leavesrheumatismEfresh burned 9
acoyo (gordonsillo) and ajo leavesrespiratory systemAfreshinfusion5
PiperaceaePiper sanctum (Miq.) Schltdl. ex C.DC.PA-73hierva santaNleavesclean baby and post-parthumDfreshdecocted2100.0
PlantaginaceaePlantago major L.PA-74llantenExleavesskin problemsOfreshdecocted15100.0
PoaceaeCymbopogon citratu Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) StapfPA-75zacate limonEx-invaderleavesdrinkSfresh 7100.0
PoaceaePachystachys spicata (Ruiz & Pav.) Wassh.PA-76mohuiteNstembad windSfresh 170.6
leavesepilepsyFfreshdecocted3
kidney problemCfreshdecocted12
nausea Gfreshinfusion1
PoaceaePhalaris canariensis L.PA-77alpistleEx seeddiabetesHfreshliquefied9100.0
PoaceaeZea maiz L.PA-78maiz moradoNseedalcoholic drinkSfreshfermented382.4
pelo de maiz fruitkidney problemCfreshinfusion14
PortulacaceaePortulaca oleraceae L.PA-79verdolagaNleavesblood circulationBfreshburned2100.0
RosaceaeEriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.PA-80nisperoEx leaveskidney problemCfreshdecocted2100.0
RosaceaePrunus domestica L.PA-81ciruelaExleavesrash and grainsOfreshsmashed466.7
smallpoxPfreshbath2
RubiaceaeHamelia patens Jacq.PA-82tres hojitasNleavesanaemiaBfreshinfusion323.4
blood circulationBfreshdecocted7
breastfeedingDfreshburned6
cancerIdrydecocted9
colitisGfreshdecocted4
diabetesHfreshdecocted7
diabetesHfreshinfusion11
gastritisGfreshinfusion
gastritisGfreshdecocted8
high pressureBfreshinfusion1
menstruationDfreshdecocted2
rootrespiratory systemAdrydecocted7
skin problems, fungusOfreshsqueezed2
ulcersGfreshdecocted5
woundsOfreshbath5
RubiaceaeMorinda citrifolia L.PA-83noniExfruitdiabetesHfreshliquefied1083.3
heart problemsBfreshsqueezed2
RutaceaeCasimiroa edulis La LlavePA-84zapote blancoNleavescholesterolBfreshinfusion330.0
latexgumLdryraw2
barkdiabetesHdrydecocted1
leavesfeverPfreshinfusion2
barkkidney problemCdrydecocted2
RutaceaeCitrus aurantiifolia (Christm.) SwinglePA-85azares de naranjoExleavesanxietyFfreshdecocted3100.0
RutaceaeCitrus× aurantium L.PA-86naranja cuchaExleavesanxietyFfreshdecocted964.3
coughAfreshdecocted4
naranja, papaya, limon, nopal fruitdiabetesHfreshliquefied1
RutaceaeCitrus limetta RissoPA-87lima chichiExfruithigh pressureBfreshdecocted375.0
infection in the eyesQfreshsqueezed9
RutaceaeCitrus medica L.PA-88limonNfruitcoughAfreshinfusion14
RutaceaeCitrus sinensis (L.) OsbeckPA-89naranjaExleavesanxietyFfreshinfusion654.5
fluAfreshinfusion5
RutaceaeMurraya paniculata (L.) JackPA-90limonariaExleavesdiabetesHfreshsqueezed266.7
tooth painLfreshdecocted1
RutaceaeRuta graveolens L.PA-91rudaExleavescolitisGfreshinfusion343.8
evil eyeSfreshraw3
gastritisGfreshinfusion4
high pressureBfreshinfusion4
menstruationDfreshinfusion8
pain in earsQfreshinfusion3
abortiveDfreshinfusion6
pain in the chestAfreshinfusion1
SapotaceaeManilkara chicle (Pittier) GillyPA-92zapote chico and guia del chayoteNleavescholesterolBfreshinfusion457.1
diabetesHfreshinfusion1
high pressureBfreshinfusion2
SapotaceaePouteria sapota (Jacq.) H.E. Moore & Stearn.PA-93zapote rebentadorNbarkdiabetesHdrydecocted457.1
fruitdiarrhoeaGfreshsqueezed2
leavesnausea Gfreshdecocted1
SmilacaceaeSmilax mollis Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.PA-94cocolmecate (bejuco enredadera)NrootdiabetesHdrydecocted457.1
rootgastritisGdrydecocted1
barkloss weightBdrydecocted2
SolanaceaePhysalis ixocarpa Brot. ex HornemPA-95tomate verdeNleaveskidney problemCfreshinfusion4100.0
UrticaceaeCecropia obtusifolia Bertol. PA-96hormiguillo (nihuiya)NbarkdiabetesHdrydecocted2100.0
VerbenaceaeLippia duartei MoldenkePA-97hierva dulceNwhole plantdiabetesHdrydecocted150.0
leavesdiarrhoeaGdrydecocted1
VerbenaceaeLippia graveolens KunthPA-98oreganoNleavesrespiratory systemAdryinfusion4100.0
XanthorrhoeaceaeAloe vera (L.) Burm.f.PA-99savilaExleavesgastritisGfreshraw733.3
hair problemsQfreshsmashed6
inflammationEfreshtopical raw3
whole plantulcersGfreshinfusion3
woundsOfreshtopical raw11
anaemiaBfreshinfusion1
chinkunguyaPfreshinfusion2
ZingiberaceaeCostus spicatus (Jacq.) Sw.PA-100caña de jabaliNstemkidney problemCdryinfusion2195.5
caña de jabali con raiz de chiote roothepatitisNdrydecocted1
ZingiberaceaeZingiber officinale RoscoePA-101gengibreExrootanaemiaBfreshdecocted154.5
blood circulationBfreshdecocted2
clean the bloodBfreshraw3
colic painDfreshdecocted1
stomach acheGfreshdecocted1
intestinal wormGfreshdecocted2
inflammationEfreshdecocted1
A, refers to Respiratory system disorders; B to Blood cardiovascular disorders; C, Kidney disorders; D, Genio-urinary disorders and childcare; E, Skeleton-muscular system disorders, F, Nervous system disorders; G, Gastro-intestinal disorders; H, Endocrinal disorders; I, Oncology; L, Dental care; M, Poisonous bites; N, Liver disorders; O, Skin disorders; P, Fever and infective diseases; Q, Ear, eye, hair disorders; R, Veterinary uses, S, Different uses. N, native, En, endemic, Ex, exotic; Bold ailments treated, Main use of Plant on which FL% is based.
Table 3. Number and percent of use reports (UR) and important consensus factors (ICF) of the Mexican plant species for each ailment category.
Table 3. Number and percent of use reports (UR) and important consensus factors (ICF) of the Mexican plant species for each ailment category.
AILMENT CATEGORIESN° SPECIESN° of UR% URICF
ARespiratory system disorders171007.890.84
BBlood-cardiovascular disorders211128.830.82
CKidney disorders171199.380.86
DGenital-urinary disorders and childcare171189.310.86
ESkeleton-muscular system disorders8342.680.79
FNervous system disorders5282.210.85
GGastro-intestinal disorders2924719.480.89
HEndocrinal disorders2313710.800.84
IOncology5443.470.91
LDental care9272.130.69
MPoisonous bites2141.100.92
NLiver disorders330.240.00
OSkin disorders17836.550.80
PFever and infective diseases13937.330.87
QEar-eye-hair disorders7393.080.84
RVeterinary uses4141.100.77
SDifferent uses11564.420.82
UR, Use-reports; ICF, Informant’s consensus factor.

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Lara Reimers, E.A.; C., E.F.; Lara Reimers, D.J.; Chaloupkova, P.; Zepeda del Valle, J.M.; Milella, L.; Russo, D. An Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal Plants Used in Papantla, Veracruz, Mexico. Plants 2019, 8, 246. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants8080246

AMA Style

Lara Reimers EA, C. EF, Lara Reimers DJ, Chaloupkova P, Zepeda del Valle JM, Milella L, Russo D. An Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal Plants Used in Papantla, Veracruz, Mexico. Plants. 2019; 8(8):246. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants8080246

Chicago/Turabian Style

Lara Reimers, Eduardo Alberto, Eloy Fernández C., David J. Lara Reimers, Petra Chaloupkova, Juan Manuel Zepeda del Valle, Luigi Milella, and Daniela Russo. 2019. "An Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal Plants Used in Papantla, Veracruz, Mexico" Plants 8, no. 8: 246. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants8080246

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