Qualitative study of use medicinal plants in a complementary or alternative way with the use of among of rural population of the Bulnes City, Bío-Bío Region, Chile Estudio cualitativo del uso de plantas medicinales en forma complementaria o alternativa co

Abstract

In a rural population of Bulnes, Bio-Bio Region of Chile, it was assessed the daily consumption of medicinal plants and drugs. Through 168 interviews the consumption of 5 medicinal plants was evaluated, considering their application, used plant parts, type of consumption, preparation, age range of people consuming mainly medicinal plants, use of other pharmacological treatments, main diseases present in the population under study and the type of drugs consumed. The obtained results demonstrate that higher consumed medicinal plants were peppermint (Mentha piperita) chamomile (Matricaria recutita), rute (Ruta graveolens), oregano (Origanum vulgare) and pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium). The consumption of medicinal plants was mainly complementary. The therapeutic use of medicinal plants in the rural population of Bulnes, is mainly digestive and it is not necessarily related to those diseases with more prevalence or most commonly observed in the population. It is important to consider future s