Etnobotánica medicinal de la cultura Me'phaa en la Ciénega, municipio de Malinaltepec, Guerrero, México

Abstract

An ethnobotanical research on medicinal plants was conducted between march 2016 and july 2017 with Me'phaa (Tlapanec) indigenous inhabitants of La Ciénega, Malinaltepec, Guerrero, to analyze their knowledge and use of plants for therapeutic purposes. Open-ended interviews were applied to 27 individuals. Between march 2016 and march 2017, a botanical field collection of specimens reported as medicinal was done within the territory of La Ciénega. 103 plant species with medicinal use were sampled, belonging to 52 botanical families and 87 genera. These plants were used to treat 68 illnesses, both natural and cultural. Stomach pain had the greatest incidence, being treated with 24 different species. The most frequently used plant parts were the leaves, stems or stalks and flowers, all of which were employed to prepare infusions or cooked dishes. The majority of the medicinal plants were collected within the backyards and surroundings of the locality.