Journul of Ethnopharmacology, Elsevier Scientific Publishers
A SURVEY
GUILLERMO Instituto Ciencias (Accepted
OF MEDICINAL
SCHMEDA
de Investigaciones Quimicas, Casilla December
169
29 (1990) 159- 172 Ireland Ltd.
PLANTS
HIRSCHMANN
OF MINAS
and ANTONIETA
GERAIS.
BRAZIL
ROJAS DE ARIAS
en Ciencias de la Salud, Cosilla 2511, Asuncion and Facultad 1055, Asuncion (Paraguay)
de
27, 19891
Summary A list of fifty-two plant species used for medicinal purposes or to control arthropods by peasants near Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais (Brazil) has been compiled. Preparation procedures are also noted. The use of plants for controlling insects and to heal a condition known as “ferida brava” is discussed. The role of indigenous plant remedies within the local health care system is worthy of a closer investigation.
Introduction It has been estimated by the World Health Organization (WHO) that 80% of the world’s inhabitants rely chiefly on traditional medicines for their primary health care needs (Farnsworth et al., 1985). Indigenous plant remedies, whether home-prepared or prescribed by a traditional healer, are widely used to treat a variety of disorders. Medicinal plant research is encouraged by the Brazilian government with the aim of replacing expensive pharmaceutical products with locally available resources and to develop a pharmaceutical industry based on domestic resources. The major documentation of the use of plants for medicinal purposes in Brazil as a whole has been done by Pio Correa (1926 - 19781, LeCointe (1947) and Hoehne (1939). Local pharmacopeias, however, have to be revised due to the rapid rate of loss of different ecosystems and of knowledge of use of plant-derived products. The area of study is located in the “cerrado” vegetation zone, comprising some 1,500,000-2,000,OOO square kilometers of central-western Brazil, covering the States of Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso, Goiis, Sao Paulo, Parana, Maranhao and Piaui, with an elevation range between 500 and 1000 m. The Correspondence to: G. Schmeda Hirschmann, Facultad de Recursos Ciencias Biologicas, Universidad de Talca, Casilla 747, Talca, Chile. Published and Printed in Ireland
Naturales, Departamento
de
160
climate is seasonally wet and dry with annual precipitations between 1200 and 2000 mm and mean annual temperatures between 21 O and 25%. There is a markedly dry season from May to September. The natural vegetation is predominantly an open forest with trees 8-- 12 m tall, with plant families such as the Leguminosae, Vochysiaceae and Bignoniaceae richly represented (Cabrera and Willink, 1980; Guimaraes Ferri, 19801. Traditional medicine in Minas Gerais recognizes several types of healers, based on the manners of the preparation of their medicines. There are “garrafeiros” who use plants macerated in alcohol or cachaqa (“garrafada”), “raizeiros” whose preparations are mostly roots and “benzedeiros” or “eurandeiros” with a religious-magical meaning, who heal with prayers and a few plants. Caehasa (or pingal is an alcoholic drink containing 40% alcohol obtained through fermentation and distillation of sugar cane syrup or mohisses. Herbal preparations normally comprise water infusions, deco&ions and macerates, as well as alcoholic macerates (in cachaqa or wine). The use of medicinal plants in Belo Horizonte appears to be limited. In the market places, some stores sell simple herbal materials as well as blends. In the street, near the Municipal market, small traders offer several dried plants, “garrafadas” and animal skins, including those of some endangered species such as the “lobe guarit” (Chrysocyon bruchyurus~. As most plant materials sold in the market places consist of roots, barks and sterile aerial parts, the identification of the botanical source is extremely difficult. Most plant materials sold in the city, however, have been collected in the “cerrado”. Therefore, it was necessary to interview rural people on the uses of the plants and to collect fertile plant material for identification purposes. The main objective of the survey was to assess the use of plants against arthropods and as a vermifuge, but information regarding other uses and therapeutic practices was also gathered. Additionally, materials utilized as ingredients of prescriptions were collected or purchased. Methodology The present work was carried out during the authors’ stay at the Instituto Rene Rachou, Belo Horizonte, to develop a standardized bioassay for evaluating plant extracts and natural products against T~to~~~~e bugs, vectors of Chagas disease. Field work was performed from Setember, 1987, through March, 1988, mainly at Serra do Cipo, some 100 km from Belo Horizonte, as well as at Lapinha and Vespasiano, to document the traditional uses of plants in the area (Fig. 11. Special care was taken in compiling the information on the preparation and dose form of the herbal remedies. Plants were purchased at Serra do Cipo or were collected with the informants in the fields in Vespasiano and Lapinha. Most information was gathered through structured interviews, as well as through informal interviews, at the Central Market at Belo Horizonte.
Fig. 1. Map of the State of Minas Gerais showing Lapinha; V, Vespasiano; Cipo’, Serra do Cipo’.
the localities
visited.
BH, Belo Horizonte;
L,
The most valuable informant at the Cipo River, Serra do Cipo was Doria Lica. At Vespasiano and Lapinha, informants consisted of peasants, between 45 and 60 years old. Voucher herbarium specimens were identified by Telma S. Mesquita Grandi at the Instituto de Ciencias Basicas, Universidad Federal, Minas Gerais, Brazil (BHCB) and by Stephen F. Smith, at the United States National Herbarium, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC. (US), and have been deposited at both institutions. Results
Very few people in the Cipo area appear to know much about the use of “cerrado” plants and the information appears almost lost in the younger generation. Only two herbalists appeared to be preserving the old knowledge of local “raizeiros”. One of them, Dofia Lica, a 65-year old woman, became our main informant. The accuracy of the information was checked by asking the same question at different interviews and comparing the answers. Below, the plants are listed botanically by families in alphabetical order. Entries consist of the following sequence of information: scientific name of the plant, common name as recorded by us, voucher specimen number (Schmeda’s collection), method of preparation and purpose for which the medication is given; these are followed by information given by previous authors (PC for Correa, M for Mesquita G. and Siqueiral.
162
ANACARDIACEAE Anacardium humile St. Hil. “Caju”. S-1034. Two to four “dedos” (caju underground branches) are macerated in wine and drunk for treating diabetes and rheumatism. One “dedo” corresponds to a piece 15-18 mm long. PC (1, 4021: under “Cajueiro do campo”, he states that the fruits are edible and the fruit oil is used to treat cutaneous diseases and syphilis. Shrub, indigenous. ANNONACEAE Annona senegalensis Pers. “Fruta do conde”, “Araticum da area”, “Araticum”. S-1089. The fruits are edible. The seed powder is used against lice by rubbing. PC (1, 1551: under “Araticum da area”: fruits are edible. Tree, introduced from Africa by black slaves and currently spontaneous in central Brazil. APOCYNACEAE Hancornia speciosa Gomes. “Mangaba”. S-1058. The root deco&ion, sometimes together with “quiabinho” (Manihot tripartits Muell.-Arg.1, is used to treat wounds and as an antihypertensive. The fruits are edible. PC (5, 82 - 83): fruits edible. Tree, indigenous. Macros yphonia velame MuelI.-Arg. “Velame”. S-1039. Two mashed up roots are macerated in 3 1 of water in a new clay pot. As a blood depurative, one spoonful is taken in the morning on an empty stomach. PC (3, 245-246): under the common name “Flor de babado”, the plant is reported to be used as a depurative and antisyphilitic, and to treat infected sores of horses. Herb, indigenous. Mandevilla velutina (Mart.1 Woods. “Amorana”, “Jalapa roxa”. S-1055, S1075. As “Amorana”, an infusion is used to treat rheumatism. As “Jalapa roxa” the root is used to treat “ferida brava”. No information either in PC or M. Herb, indigenous. ASCLEPIADACEAE Asclepius curassavica L. “Oficial de sala”. S-1060. The plant is used to control ticks. According to PC (1, 655-6571, under the name “Capita0 da sala”, it is reported as a toxic plant, while the latex is reputed to be purgative, emetic, and cardioactive; the roots are used as a sudorific, vermifuge, febrifuge, to treat asthma and gonorrhea; the powdered dry plant as hemostatic. PC (2, 185): as “Cega-olho”, the latex is reputed to
163
be toxic and cause blindness. M: under “ofi~ial-de-sala”; cardiotonic, as a substitute for ~~g~~a~~.Herb, indigenous. BIGNONIACEAE plutyphylla Bur. “Ciganinha”. S-1072. A root infusion and leaf decoction, respectively, as a bath, is used to treat epilepsy. Vine, indigenous.
Arrabidaea
BIXACEAE Bixa orel~na L. “Urucum”. S-1009. Urucum seeds are used by indigenous populations as a dye source for body painting and externally to avoid insect stings. The dye is also used in foods. Similar information has also been recorded by PC (6, 358-3591, in addition to the use of the seeds as a spice, stomachic, laxative, and to treat bronchitis and burns. M: expectorant and febrifuge. Tree, indigenous. Cultivated. BORAGINACEAE Vell. “Landim da lapa”. S-1056. The leaf infusion is used externally and is also drunk for healing wounds. According to one informant, it is also used to heal the lesions of leishmaniasis. PC (3, 534 - 536 and 4, 61’71refers the common name “Landim” to a Guttiferae: Ca~ophyZ~~n brasiliense Camb. No uses were found in the literature for Cordiu ecalyculata. Shrub, indigenous. Cordia ecalycu~ta
CARYOCARACEAE brasiliensis Camb. “Pequi”. S-1012. The flesh of the ripe fruit is eaten and is a source of oil used in local cooking. It has also been used by some aborigines, together with urucum @?ixa orellana), as a body paint. PC (5,433--4391 reports under the name “Pequiti”: fruits edible cooked or roasted, the fruit oil for cooking and for treating broncho-pulmonary infections. Tree, indigenous. Caryocar
CHENOPODIACEAE ambrosioides L. “Erva-de-Santa-Maria”. S-1015. The plant decoction, in water or milk, is taken as a vermifuge. The fresh or dried leaves are spread in chickens’ nests against lice. PC (4, 112-1141: states that the essential oil is an antihelmintic, the whole plant an emmenagogue, abortive, carminative and sudorifie, the infusion a stomachic and digestive. M: as an antihelmintie, aromatic, emmenagogue and a respiratory stimulant. Herb, indigenous. Chenopodium
164
COMPOSITAE Baccharis dracunculifolia DC. “Alecrim”. S-1025. The aerial parts of this shrubby Baccharis are said to repel ticks and insects. The species has been reported by PC (1, 56) as an antirheumatic and to treat catarrh. M: “Alecrim do campo” is reputed to be a febrifuge, aromatic and stimulant. Shrub, indigenous. Baccharis trimera (Less.1 DC. “Carqueja”. S-1030. The aerial parts or root decoction are taken for hepatic and renal troubles, as an antiinflammatory and for stomach pain. PC (2, 72-76): “Carqueja” refers to several Baccharis species, an antihelmintic. Herb, indigenous. Mikaniu sessilifoliu DC. “Porretinho”. S-1091. Decoction of the aerial parts is drunk indigenous.
in case
of
headache.
Herb,
CUCURBITACEAE Momordica charantia L. “Mello-de-Sao Caetano”. S-1003. The whole plant is used as a febrifuge and a vermifuge, in infusion or deco&ion. PC (5, 186-187): purgative, emetic, febrifuge, to treat catarrh, leucorrhea, vermifuge, antirheumatic, liver inflammations. M: febrifuge, antirheumatic, vermifuge, emetic and purgative. Herb, pantropical. ERYTHROXYLACEAE Erythroxylum tortuosum Mart. “Bananinha do campo”. S-1074. The leaf infusion is taken or used as a bath as an antiinflammatory. PC (3, 369- 370): under the common name “Galinha choca”, the bark of E. tortuosum is used as an astringent. Tree, indigenous. EUPHORBIACEAE Croton antisyphiliticus (Mart.1 Muell.- Arg. “Canela de saracura”. S-1033. Nine pieces of mashed “canela de saracura” roots are placed into 1 1 of cachaea and the potion drunk against inflammation of the womb. This suggests use of the plant to treat venereal diseases. The powdered roots are also taken to heal wounds. PC (2, 487): under the common name “Curraleira”, C. antisyphiliticus is reported as a sudorific, antirheumatic, diuretic, antisyphilitic, and used to treat snake bites; the fresh leaves to treat sores and tumors (as a poultice); the dried, powdered leaves externally to heal wounds. M: antisyphilitic, antirheumatic, diuretic, stimulant. Herb, indigenous. Manihot tripartita Muell.-Arg. “Quiabinho”, “Quiabinho” plant in decoction with
S-1059; “Mandioquinha”, “mangaba” (Hancornia
S-1078. speciosa
165
Games) root is used externally and drunk for the treatment of wounds. A leaf infusion of “mandioquinha” is taken as a blood depurative. No data in either PC or M. Herb, indigenous. Maprounea
bra&lien&s St. Hil. “Marmelinho do campo”. S-1070. The leaf infusion is drunk “for the kidneys”. PC (5, 151): root deco&ion is stomachic. Shrub, indigenous.
Phyllanthus
niruri Muell.-Arg. “Quebra pedras”. S-1081. The plant infusion or decoction is taken to treat renal diseases. PC (4, 151): “Herva pombinha”, “arrebenta pedras” and “quebra pedras” is used to dissolve kidney and bladder stones; seeds and fruits to treat diabetes; roots for jaundice. M: diuretic, for liver and urinary complaints, jaundice, dropsy. Herb, indigenous.
FLACOURTIACEAE Caseariu sylvestris
SW. “Lingua de tiu”. S-1047. The root deco&ion is used for chest and body pains; it is taken during the day with roasted lime. The leaves are taken with alecrim as a sexual stimulant. PC (3, 514- 516): “Guaqatunga” and “Lingua de tiu”: the bark is used against fever and as an antiinflammatory; the leaf juice or deco&ion to treat herpes, syphilis, and snake bites. M: “Erva-de-bugre” (Casearia sylvestris) is used as a depurative, antisyphilitic, febrifuge, for skin diseases. Tree, indigenous.
LEGUMINOSAE Andira
laurifolia Benth. var. laurifolia. “Angelim”, “Matabaratas”. S-1082. Peasants near the Lapinha cave said that the ripe fruit is cooked and mixed together with “fubi” (corn meal) for killing cockroaches. According to other rural people, the mashed fruit and roots have to be spread on the floor to kill the “baratas” (cockroaches). The plant is considered “brava” (dangerous); the smoke produced by burning the plant is reputed to cause blindness. The fruit oil is reputed to be an aphrodisiac. PC (1, 1211: “Angelim do campo”; under the common name “Angelim”, several Andira species are included; the fruits are claimed to be a vermifuge, but toxic, the bark insecticidal and vermifuge. Shrub, indigenous. Bauhinia forficata
Lam. “Pata de vaca”. S-1044. The leaves are cut off and allowed to dry. A 1 1 bottle is filled with the dried, finely crushed leaves and wine or alcohol added. The macerate is drunk as an antidiabetic. For people 20-25 years old, 10 drops are given as a drink, while for older people (50 years or older) 20 drops have to be taken, daily for nine days. PC (5, 237): as an antidiabetic, for urinary complaints. M: under “unha-de-vaca”; B. forficata is diuretic, antidiabetic, purgative. Shrub, indigenous.
166
Cassiu lutistipulu Benth. “Jolo
da costa”. S-1032. According to its size, l-3 plants are boiled in 2 1 of water, sometimes with Yip6 prata” (Banisteriopsis argyrophyllu), and drunk as a diuretic. Not mentioned in PC or M. Herb, indigenous. Chamaecrista neesiana (Ma: t. ex Benth.1 Irwin and Barneby var. neesiana. “Seno miudo”. S-1028. Powdered leaves with the same amount of white rose and erva dote (unidentified Umbelliferael are boiled in 3 1 of water for 5 min. The decoction is drunk as a purgative. Not mentioned in PC or M. Herb, indigenous. Chamaecrista
pupil&a
The leaf deco&ion Herb, indigenous.
Irwin and Barneby. “Cerro grande”. S-1052. is taken as a purgative. Not mentioned in PC or M.
Clitoris guyanensis
Benth. “Capoeraba”. S-1069. The root infusion is reputed to be a fortificant and a sexual stimulant. PC (2, 576): “Espelina falsa”; the root and seeds are used to treat cystitis and uretritis. Herb, indigenous. Eriosema
benthamianum Mart. ex Benth. “Bolsa de pastouro”. S-1050. A root and/or leaf infusion is taken as an antiinflammatory. PC (6, 971: “Andu-do campo”; purgative. Shrub, indigenous.
Gala&a
martii DC. “Canela do perdiz”. S-1029. For treating bloody diarrhea and stomachache, a bunch of the plant in 0.5 1 of water is boiled down to 0.25 1 and sweetened. The resulting decoction has to be administered orally every 30 min. It is taken only for one day. PC (3, 661: “Feijao bravo”; seeds suspected to be poisonous. Herb, indigenous. Hymenaea
stigonocarpa Mart. var. stigonocarpa. “Jatoba”. S-1083. The bark resin is eaten for treatment of stomach ulcer. PC (4, 5021: “Jatoba do campo”; fruits edible. M: stomachic, expectorant, astringent. Tree, indigenous. Stryphnodendron
adstringens
Mart.
(Syn.: S. barbatimao
Mart.). “Barbati-
mao”. S-1077. The bark infusion is used as an antiinflammatory, in case of gastritis and sore throat. PC (1, 268-2691: “Barbatimao verdadeiro”; the bark is used as a hemostatic, antidiarrheal, to stop womb bleedings and hemoptisis, scurvy, sores and wounds; the leaves as a tonic; the seeds are suspected to be poisonous. M: astringent, hemostatic, cicatrizant, antidiarrheal. Tree, indigenous.
167
LILIACEAE Aloe vera L. “Babosa”.
S-1066. The leaf sap is used to kill lice. PC (1, 227- 2281: leaf sap is used as an antihelmintic, febrifuge, insecticide; for eye diseases and hepatic disorders; root for treating colics. Herb, introduced; cultivated. MALPIGHIACEAE Banisteriopsis
argyrophyllu (A. Juss.1 Gates. “Cipo prata”. S-1031. The root deco&ion is recommended for kidney troubles and inflammation. PC (2, 301): “Cipo prata”; no medicinal uses recorded. Herb, indigenous.
MELIACEAE Melti azederach
L. “Cinnamomo”. S-1065. Used as an insecticide: the leaf macerate or deco&ion is poured on places where insects crawl. PC (2, 259 - 263): the leaves are used as an insect repellant, febrifuge, stomachic, emetic, antidiarrheal; the fruits as an antihelmintic; the aerial parts are said to be repellant to fleas and other insects; the root bark purgative, emetic, antihelmintic, febrifuge. M: astringent, stomachic, emmenagogue, antihysteric, antidiarrheic. Tree, introduced; originally from tropical Asia. Cabralea canjerana Well.1 Mart. ssp. polytricha (A. Juss.1 Pennington. “Canjerana”. S-966. “Canjerana” is sometimes known as “Matabaratas” and is claimed to be toxic. PC (1, 462- 4631: “Cangerana” stem and root bark is used as a febrifuge, astringent, emetic, abortive; toxic in high doses; leaves a febrifuge; fruit sap an insecticide. Tree, indigenous.
MYRTACEAE Campomanesia
rufa Berg. “Gabiroba”. S-1036. Three “dedos” of Gabiroba roots are placed into 2 1 of water, boiled down to 0.25 1, and sweetened. One “dedo” corresponds to a piece of 15-18 mm long. A spoonful of the preparation is taken early in the morning to treat wounds and sores, including “ferida brava”. It is also used together with Quiabinho VManihot tripartita) and Mangaba (Hancornia speciosa) roots. PC (3, 5051: “Guabiroba”; the fruits are edible. Shrub, indigenous.
OXALIDACEAE Oxalis hirsutissima
Mart. et Zucc. “Azedinha”. S-1016. The whole plant is placed into a pot with some water
and sugar
and
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cooked until the sap is exuded. A spoonful is taken as an antihelmintic. (1, 2201: “Azedinha vermelha”; used for anginas. Herb, indigenous.
PC
PHYTOLACCACEAE Microtea
paniculata Moq. “llinhaco do campo”. S-1068. The leaf infusion is used against stomach pains. PC (5, 198): “Microtea”; medicinal uses recorded. Herb, indigenous.
no
Pe tiverk
alliacea L. “Guine”, “Erva-guine”. S-1014. The plant is reputed to be “fetiqeira” (magical). According to LeCointe (194’71,the leaves are insecticidal. PC (6, 2551: “Tipi”; root decoction is used as an antispasmodic, abortive, sudorific, diuretic, antirheumatic, against venereal diseases. M: for dropsy, paralysis, rheumatism, headache. Herb, pantropical.
RUBIACEAE Neea theifera
Oerst. “Caparoxa roxa”. S-1045. Three “Caparoxa roxa” with three “Don Bernardo” (Palicourea rigida, see below) leaves in infusion are employed as an antiinflammatory. The infusion is taken throughout a whole day. PC (1, 501-502): “Caparosa do campo”; as an astringent, to treat dysentery, diarrhea, gastro-intestinal troubles. Shrub, indigenous.
Palicourea
rigida HBK. “Don Bernardo”, “Caixeta”. S-1042. An infusion of three leaves in 1 1 of water is taken daily as an antiinflammatory. No information either in PC or M. Shrub, indigenous.
Palicourea
marcgravii St. Hil. “Erva do boi”. S-1073. The aerial parts are said to be toxic to cattle. PC (4, 105-106): rato verdadeira”; said to be toxic to cattle. Shrub, indigenous.
“Herva de
Remigia
ferruginea (St. Hil.) DC. “Quina”, “Quina mineira”. S-1019. The roots are mashed with milk and taken early in the morning; it is said to be an efective vermifuge. PC (5, 566): “Quina-da-serra”; the bark is used as a substitute for true quina (Cinchona); bitter, tonic, but not as a febrifuge. Shrub, indigenous.
Sabicea
cana Hook. “Sangue de Cristo”. S-1049. For tooth pain and as a blood depurative, an infusion is prepared from the root and/or leaves, and drunk. PC (6, 44): “Sangue-de-Cristo”; no medicinal use recorded. Shrub, indigenous.
169
SCROPHULARIACEAE L. “Vassourinha”. S-1010. Medicinal. PC (6, 1981: “Tapixaba”, ‘Vassourinha-dote”; expectorant, emollient. Herb, indigenous.
Scopariu d&is
medicinal.
M:
SOLANACEAE L. “Matadeira”, “Reventa cavalo”. S-1067. The whole plant decoction is used externally to treat ectoparasites of cattle. The plant sap is also applied locally to treat miasis. PC (2, 610-6111: “Estramonio”; leaves and seeds are claimed to be an antiasthmatic, when smoked. M: narcotic, antispasmodic, sedative, antiasthmatic. Herb, pantropiCal.
Datura stramonium
Nicotiana tabacum L. “Fumo”. S-1013. The dried leaf macerate, infusion or powder is said to be used as an insecticide or insect repellant in vegetable gardens. PC (3, 349-3561; leaf in chickens’ nests to repel lice and fleas, and also an antihelmintic. M: as a snuff, antitetanic. Herb. cultivated. SYMPLOCACEAE
lunceolata (Mart.1 A.DC. var. rhamnifolia A.DC. “Congonhinha”, “Congonha”. S-1064. Two different plants are known under the name “Congonha”. The first one, with small leaves, is a big tree (unidentified in the present survey), while the second a shrub. In case of kidney troubles, a leaf infusion or decoction is taken. It is also taken as a coffee or tea-like infusion. PC (2, 3611; “Congonha da caixeta”; the leaves are used as a Mate substitute or additive. Shrub, indigenous.
Symplocos
VERBENACEAE
Lantana camara L. “Camara”.
S-1004. The aerial parts are used to treat mange. PC (1, 4141: leaf decoction is used as a sudorific, tonic, febrifuge and for treatment of bronchopulmonary diseases; used in a bath against mange. M: tonic, sudorific, febrifuge, emollient, expectorant, balsamic. Shrub, pantropical.
Lippia lupulina Cham. “Azedinha
do campo”. S-1071. The leaf infusion is used to treat mouth sores. PC (5, 612): “Rosa-do-camPO”; no medicinal uses recorded. Herb, indigenous.
170
Stachytarpheta cayennensis Cham. “Gervao roxo”. S-1008. Medicinal. PC (3, 3931: the leaves are taken as a laxative and as an antihemorroidal. Herb, indigenous. VOCHYSIACEAE Salvertiu convalluriaeodora St. Hil. “Matraquero”. S-1040. The bark is ground into a powder and two spoonfuls of the powder are placed into wine and drunk to treat stomach acidity. PC (2, 3461: “Colher de vaqueiro”; no medicinal uses recorded. Tree, indigenous. Discussion and Conclusions Fifty-two plant species belonging to twenty-seven families used for medicinal purposes in Minas Gerais were recorded in the present survey. Twelve of them (23%) were not previously mentioned or reported as medicinal by Pio Correia while thirty-four (65%) were not included in the medicinal flora of Belo Horizonte by Mesquita et al. (19821. Eleven plants used against arthropods were identified in the present survey. Some of them are well-known sources of insect toxicants such as Nicotiana tabacum and Meliu axedarach. Synthetic insecticides are presently the only effective chemicals used against arthropods known to most people. Small farmers, however, still use a macerate of tobacco leaves to spray crops against insects. Tobacco extracts have been employed as insecticides for nearly 300 years. Their active principles are the alkaloid nicotine and closely related compounds (Holyoke et Reese, 19871. Arruda (Ruta graveolens) and alecrim CRosmarinus officinale) are known as insect repellants and were formerly used domestically. Morphological similarities may explain the reason for the use of shrubby Baccharis to repel insects and ticks under the name of “alecrim”, “alecrim da folha miuda” and “alecrim do mato”, while Chenopodium ambrosioides is said to repel lice from chickens. In rural areas near Belo Horizonte, other species such as the introduced “Cinnamomo” &felia axedarach) and “cerrado” plants like “ Matabaratas” (cockroachkiller) klndira lauri,foZial are known as insect repellant. The tetranortriterpenoid azadirachtin and other limonoids isolated from Melia azedarach have been shown to exhibit a broad insecticidal spectra in various orders of insects, due to growth regulating and other effects (Schmutterer, 19871. The biological activity ascribed to Andira laurifolia deserves further phytochemical and pharmacological research. Carica papaya seeds and Chenopodium ambrosioides aerial parts are of widespread use as a vermifuge. “Horteld” (Mentha spp.) appears to be one of the most frequent vermifuge used near the city, while less frequent ones are “azedinha” (Oxalis hirsutissima), “Quina” (Remijia ferrugineal and “Melao-deS&o-Caetano” (Momordica charantia). In the Cip6 area, ectoparasites in cattle and man are treated either with
171
Datura stramonium, Melia azedarach, Lantana camara or Asclepias curassavica, in a bath. On the basis of the recorded information, inflammations, sores, renal and digestive troubles appear to be the most common complaints of peasants in the surveyed area. Several plants, by themselves or in mixtures, are employed for the treatment of wounds and sores. Under the name of “ferida brava”, informants include sores or wounds that are difficult to heal, regardless of their origin. The symtomatology of some cases closely resembles leishmaniasis, a tropical disease caused by the protozoan Leishmania and transmitted by sandfleas (Croft, 19861. “Landim da lapa” (Cordia ecalyculata), for example, was said to be a plant that completely healed a patient formerly resistant to any chemotherapy. The informant described a typical mucocutaneous leishmaniasis without knowledge of the disease, and said that, after a three-month period of treatment, lesions healed. They also claimed that there are two “Landim”, differing in morphology, one growing in the “Cerrado” and the second on the hill slopes, but only the latter is regarded as effective. Further studies of the ingredients, as well as the whole preparations used to treat “ferida brava”, against Leishmania strains is advisable, since the chemotherapeutic agents currently used to treat this disease are toxic and expensive products (Fournet et al., 19881. Since the main objective of the present survey was to assess the use of plants as a vermifuge or for the control of arthropods, it did not cover the whole herbal pharmacopeia of the State of Minas Gerais. Moreover, field work was carried out in suburban and rural areas some 100 km around Belo Horizonte. Nevertheless, the data collected indicated the presence of a very rich herbal tradition which still plays an important role among the peasants. Sadly, such a tradition is being rapidly lost. This loss, as well as the loss of the native ecosystems, is being felt among the people being interviewed and was expressed to the authors. In the face of such a loss, pharmacological investigation must be performed, in order to establish the efficacy and safety of the herbal prescriptions, and to discover new compounds that may be useful to modern medicine. Similarly, further ethnobotanical work needs to be undertaken in order to complete the inventory of the plants used in therapy in the State of Minas Gerais. Acknowledgements This work would not have been possible without the collaboration of all the informants, particularly Doiia Lica, who willingly shared her knowledge of plant uses. The present work was carried out during the author’s stay at the Instituto de Pesquisas Rene Rachou, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. We wish to express our gratitude to Dr. Naftale Katz, head of the institute, and to all the indi-
172
viduals who have collaborated in one way or another in our research. We kindly acknowledge Maria Marcia Perillo for her skillful technical assistance and Telma S. Mesquita G., Herbarium of the Instituto de Ciencias Basicas, Universidade Federal Minas Gerais (BHCB), for the plant determination and useful discussion. We also acknowledge the help of Stephen Smith, National Herbarium of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. (USA) for the plant identification. This research work was conducted under a grant from the World Bank Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program. The views and interpretations in this document are those of the authors and should not be attributed to the Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program or to the World Bank. References. Cabrera, A.L. and Willink, A. (1980) Biogeografia de America Latina. Serie de Biologia, Monografia No. 13, OEA, 2nd. Ed., pp. 56-57. Correa, P. (1926-19781 Diccionario das Plantas Uteis do Brasil e das Exoticas Cultivadus. Impresa National, Ministerio de Agricultura, IBDF, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (6 volumes). Croft, S.L. (19861 In vitro screens in the experimental chemotherapy of Leishmaniasis and Trypanosomiasis. Parasitology Today 2, 64-69. Farnsworth, N.R., Akerele, O., Bingel, A.S., Soejarto, D.D. and Guo, Z. (19851 Medicinal plants in therapy. Bulletin of the World Health Organization 63, 965-981. Fournet, A., Muiioz, V., Manjon, A.M., Angelo, A., Hocquemiller, R., Cortes, D., Cave, A. and Bruneton, J. (19881 Activite antiparasitaire d’alcaloides bisbenzylisoquinoleiques. I: Activite in vitro sur des promastigotes de trois souches de Leishmania Journal of Ethnopharrnacololy 24, 327 - 335.
Guimaraes Ferri, M. (19801 Vegetaeao Brasileira. Ed. Itatiaia, Belo Horizonte. Reconquista do Brasil, nova ser. Vol. 26, pp. 51- 69. Hoehne, F.C. (1939) Plantas e Substancias Vegetais Toxicas e Medicinais. Graphicars, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Holyoke, C.W. and Reese, J.C. (19871Acute insect toxicants from plants. In: E. D. Morgan and N. B. Mandava (Eds.1. Handbook of Natural Pesticides, Vol. IZI, Insect Growth Regulators, Part B. CRC Press, pp. 67- 118. LeCointe, P. (1947) Arvores e Plantas Uteis (Amazonia Brasileira III), 2nd. Edn. Companhia Editora National, S&o Paulo, Brazil. Mezquita G., T.S. and Siqueira, D.M. (19821 Flora Medicinal de Belo Horizonte, VII. Simposio de Plantas Medicinales. Oreodes 8 (14 - 151, 126 - 139. Schmutterer, H. (1987) Insect growth-disrupting and fecundity reducing ingredients from the Neem and Chinaberry trees. In: E.D. Morgan and N. B. Mandava (Eds.1, Handbook of Natural Pesticides, Vol. IZI, Insect Growth Regulators, Part B. CRC Press, pp. 1199170.
A SURVEY
GUILLERMO Instituto Ciencias (Accepted
OF MEDICINAL
SCHMEDA
de Investigaciones Quimicas, Casilla December
169
29 (1990) 159- 172 Ireland Ltd.
PLANTS
HIRSCHMANN
OF MINAS
and ANTONIETA
GERAIS.
BRAZIL
ROJAS DE ARIAS
en Ciencias de la Salud, Cosilla 2511, Asuncion and Facultad 1055, Asuncion (Paraguay)
de
27, 19891
Summary A list of fifty-two plant species used for medicinal purposes or to control arthropods by peasants near Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais (Brazil) has been compiled. Preparation procedures are also noted. The use of plants for controlling insects and to heal a condition known as “ferida brava” is discussed. The role of indigenous plant remedies within the local health care system is worthy of a closer investigation.
Introduction It has been estimated by the World Health Organization (WHO) that 80% of the world’s inhabitants rely chiefly on traditional medicines for their primary health care needs (Farnsworth et al., 1985). Indigenous plant remedies, whether home-prepared or prescribed by a traditional healer, are widely used to treat a variety of disorders. Medicinal plant research is encouraged by the Brazilian government with the aim of replacing expensive pharmaceutical products with locally available resources and to develop a pharmaceutical industry based on domestic resources. The major documentation of the use of plants for medicinal purposes in Brazil as a whole has been done by Pio Correa (1926 - 19781, LeCointe (1947) and Hoehne (1939). Local pharmacopeias, however, have to be revised due to the rapid rate of loss of different ecosystems and of knowledge of use of plant-derived products. The area of study is located in the “cerrado” vegetation zone, comprising some 1,500,000-2,000,OOO square kilometers of central-western Brazil, covering the States of Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso, Goiis, Sao Paulo, Parana, Maranhao and Piaui, with an elevation range between 500 and 1000 m. The Correspondence to: G. Schmeda Hirschmann, Facultad de Recursos Ciencias Biologicas, Universidad de Talca, Casilla 747, Talca, Chile. Published and Printed in Ireland
Naturales, Departamento
de
160
climate is seasonally wet and dry with annual precipitations between 1200 and 2000 mm and mean annual temperatures between 21 O and 25%. There is a markedly dry season from May to September. The natural vegetation is predominantly an open forest with trees 8-- 12 m tall, with plant families such as the Leguminosae, Vochysiaceae and Bignoniaceae richly represented (Cabrera and Willink, 1980; Guimaraes Ferri, 19801. Traditional medicine in Minas Gerais recognizes several types of healers, based on the manners of the preparation of their medicines. There are “garrafeiros” who use plants macerated in alcohol or cachaqa (“garrafada”), “raizeiros” whose preparations are mostly roots and “benzedeiros” or “eurandeiros” with a religious-magical meaning, who heal with prayers and a few plants. Caehasa (or pingal is an alcoholic drink containing 40% alcohol obtained through fermentation and distillation of sugar cane syrup or mohisses. Herbal preparations normally comprise water infusions, deco&ions and macerates, as well as alcoholic macerates (in cachaqa or wine). The use of medicinal plants in Belo Horizonte appears to be limited. In the market places, some stores sell simple herbal materials as well as blends. In the street, near the Municipal market, small traders offer several dried plants, “garrafadas” and animal skins, including those of some endangered species such as the “lobe guarit” (Chrysocyon bruchyurus~. As most plant materials sold in the market places consist of roots, barks and sterile aerial parts, the identification of the botanical source is extremely difficult. Most plant materials sold in the city, however, have been collected in the “cerrado”. Therefore, it was necessary to interview rural people on the uses of the plants and to collect fertile plant material for identification purposes. The main objective of the survey was to assess the use of plants against arthropods and as a vermifuge, but information regarding other uses and therapeutic practices was also gathered. Additionally, materials utilized as ingredients of prescriptions were collected or purchased. Methodology The present work was carried out during the authors’ stay at the Instituto Rene Rachou, Belo Horizonte, to develop a standardized bioassay for evaluating plant extracts and natural products against T~to~~~~e bugs, vectors of Chagas disease. Field work was performed from Setember, 1987, through March, 1988, mainly at Serra do Cipo, some 100 km from Belo Horizonte, as well as at Lapinha and Vespasiano, to document the traditional uses of plants in the area (Fig. 11. Special care was taken in compiling the information on the preparation and dose form of the herbal remedies. Plants were purchased at Serra do Cipo or were collected with the informants in the fields in Vespasiano and Lapinha. Most information was gathered through structured interviews, as well as through informal interviews, at the Central Market at Belo Horizonte.
Fig. 1. Map of the State of Minas Gerais showing Lapinha; V, Vespasiano; Cipo’, Serra do Cipo’.
the localities
visited.
BH, Belo Horizonte;
L,
The most valuable informant at the Cipo River, Serra do Cipo was Doria Lica. At Vespasiano and Lapinha, informants consisted of peasants, between 45 and 60 years old. Voucher herbarium specimens were identified by Telma S. Mesquita Grandi at the Instituto de Ciencias Basicas, Universidad Federal, Minas Gerais, Brazil (BHCB) and by Stephen F. Smith, at the United States National Herbarium, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC. (US), and have been deposited at both institutions. Results
Very few people in the Cipo area appear to know much about the use of “cerrado” plants and the information appears almost lost in the younger generation. Only two herbalists appeared to be preserving the old knowledge of local “raizeiros”. One of them, Dofia Lica, a 65-year old woman, became our main informant. The accuracy of the information was checked by asking the same question at different interviews and comparing the answers. Below, the plants are listed botanically by families in alphabetical order. Entries consist of the following sequence of information: scientific name of the plant, common name as recorded by us, voucher specimen number (Schmeda’s collection), method of preparation and purpose for which the medication is given; these are followed by information given by previous authors (PC for Correa, M for Mesquita G. and Siqueiral.
162
ANACARDIACEAE Anacardium humile St. Hil. “Caju”. S-1034. Two to four “dedos” (caju underground branches) are macerated in wine and drunk for treating diabetes and rheumatism. One “dedo” corresponds to a piece 15-18 mm long. PC (1, 4021: under “Cajueiro do campo”, he states that the fruits are edible and the fruit oil is used to treat cutaneous diseases and syphilis. Shrub, indigenous. ANNONACEAE Annona senegalensis Pers. “Fruta do conde”, “Araticum da area”, “Araticum”. S-1089. The fruits are edible. The seed powder is used against lice by rubbing. PC (1, 1551: under “Araticum da area”: fruits are edible. Tree, introduced from Africa by black slaves and currently spontaneous in central Brazil. APOCYNACEAE Hancornia speciosa Gomes. “Mangaba”. S-1058. The root deco&ion, sometimes together with “quiabinho” (Manihot tripartits Muell.-Arg.1, is used to treat wounds and as an antihypertensive. The fruits are edible. PC (5, 82 - 83): fruits edible. Tree, indigenous. Macros yphonia velame MuelI.-Arg. “Velame”. S-1039. Two mashed up roots are macerated in 3 1 of water in a new clay pot. As a blood depurative, one spoonful is taken in the morning on an empty stomach. PC (3, 245-246): under the common name “Flor de babado”, the plant is reported to be used as a depurative and antisyphilitic, and to treat infected sores of horses. Herb, indigenous. Mandevilla velutina (Mart.1 Woods. “Amorana”, “Jalapa roxa”. S-1055, S1075. As “Amorana”, an infusion is used to treat rheumatism. As “Jalapa roxa” the root is used to treat “ferida brava”. No information either in PC or M. Herb, indigenous. ASCLEPIADACEAE Asclepius curassavica L. “Oficial de sala”. S-1060. The plant is used to control ticks. According to PC (1, 655-6571, under the name “Capita0 da sala”, it is reported as a toxic plant, while the latex is reputed to be purgative, emetic, and cardioactive; the roots are used as a sudorific, vermifuge, febrifuge, to treat asthma and gonorrhea; the powdered dry plant as hemostatic. PC (2, 185): as “Cega-olho”, the latex is reputed to
163
be toxic and cause blindness. M: under “ofi~ial-de-sala”; cardiotonic, as a substitute for ~~g~~a~~.Herb, indigenous. BIGNONIACEAE plutyphylla Bur. “Ciganinha”. S-1072. A root infusion and leaf decoction, respectively, as a bath, is used to treat epilepsy. Vine, indigenous.
Arrabidaea
BIXACEAE Bixa orel~na L. “Urucum”. S-1009. Urucum seeds are used by indigenous populations as a dye source for body painting and externally to avoid insect stings. The dye is also used in foods. Similar information has also been recorded by PC (6, 358-3591, in addition to the use of the seeds as a spice, stomachic, laxative, and to treat bronchitis and burns. M: expectorant and febrifuge. Tree, indigenous. Cultivated. BORAGINACEAE Vell. “Landim da lapa”. S-1056. The leaf infusion is used externally and is also drunk for healing wounds. According to one informant, it is also used to heal the lesions of leishmaniasis. PC (3, 534 - 536 and 4, 61’71refers the common name “Landim” to a Guttiferae: Ca~ophyZ~~n brasiliense Camb. No uses were found in the literature for Cordiu ecalyculata. Shrub, indigenous. Cordia ecalycu~ta
CARYOCARACEAE brasiliensis Camb. “Pequi”. S-1012. The flesh of the ripe fruit is eaten and is a source of oil used in local cooking. It has also been used by some aborigines, together with urucum @?ixa orellana), as a body paint. PC (5,433--4391 reports under the name “Pequiti”: fruits edible cooked or roasted, the fruit oil for cooking and for treating broncho-pulmonary infections. Tree, indigenous. Caryocar
CHENOPODIACEAE ambrosioides L. “Erva-de-Santa-Maria”. S-1015. The plant decoction, in water or milk, is taken as a vermifuge. The fresh or dried leaves are spread in chickens’ nests against lice. PC (4, 112-1141: states that the essential oil is an antihelmintic, the whole plant an emmenagogue, abortive, carminative and sudorifie, the infusion a stomachic and digestive. M: as an antihelmintie, aromatic, emmenagogue and a respiratory stimulant. Herb, indigenous. Chenopodium
164
COMPOSITAE Baccharis dracunculifolia DC. “Alecrim”. S-1025. The aerial parts of this shrubby Baccharis are said to repel ticks and insects. The species has been reported by PC (1, 56) as an antirheumatic and to treat catarrh. M: “Alecrim do campo” is reputed to be a febrifuge, aromatic and stimulant. Shrub, indigenous. Baccharis trimera (Less.1 DC. “Carqueja”. S-1030. The aerial parts or root decoction are taken for hepatic and renal troubles, as an antiinflammatory and for stomach pain. PC (2, 72-76): “Carqueja” refers to several Baccharis species, an antihelmintic. Herb, indigenous. Mikaniu sessilifoliu DC. “Porretinho”. S-1091. Decoction of the aerial parts is drunk indigenous.
in case
of
headache.
Herb,
CUCURBITACEAE Momordica charantia L. “Mello-de-Sao Caetano”. S-1003. The whole plant is used as a febrifuge and a vermifuge, in infusion or deco&ion. PC (5, 186-187): purgative, emetic, febrifuge, to treat catarrh, leucorrhea, vermifuge, antirheumatic, liver inflammations. M: febrifuge, antirheumatic, vermifuge, emetic and purgative. Herb, pantropical. ERYTHROXYLACEAE Erythroxylum tortuosum Mart. “Bananinha do campo”. S-1074. The leaf infusion is taken or used as a bath as an antiinflammatory. PC (3, 369- 370): under the common name “Galinha choca”, the bark of E. tortuosum is used as an astringent. Tree, indigenous. EUPHORBIACEAE Croton antisyphiliticus (Mart.1 Muell.- Arg. “Canela de saracura”. S-1033. Nine pieces of mashed “canela de saracura” roots are placed into 1 1 of cachaea and the potion drunk against inflammation of the womb. This suggests use of the plant to treat venereal diseases. The powdered roots are also taken to heal wounds. PC (2, 487): under the common name “Curraleira”, C. antisyphiliticus is reported as a sudorific, antirheumatic, diuretic, antisyphilitic, and used to treat snake bites; the fresh leaves to treat sores and tumors (as a poultice); the dried, powdered leaves externally to heal wounds. M: antisyphilitic, antirheumatic, diuretic, stimulant. Herb, indigenous. Manihot tripartita Muell.-Arg. “Quiabinho”, “Quiabinho” plant in decoction with
S-1059; “Mandioquinha”, “mangaba” (Hancornia
S-1078. speciosa
165
Games) root is used externally and drunk for the treatment of wounds. A leaf infusion of “mandioquinha” is taken as a blood depurative. No data in either PC or M. Herb, indigenous. Maprounea
bra&lien&s St. Hil. “Marmelinho do campo”. S-1070. The leaf infusion is drunk “for the kidneys”. PC (5, 151): root deco&ion is stomachic. Shrub, indigenous.
Phyllanthus
niruri Muell.-Arg. “Quebra pedras”. S-1081. The plant infusion or decoction is taken to treat renal diseases. PC (4, 151): “Herva pombinha”, “arrebenta pedras” and “quebra pedras” is used to dissolve kidney and bladder stones; seeds and fruits to treat diabetes; roots for jaundice. M: diuretic, for liver and urinary complaints, jaundice, dropsy. Herb, indigenous.
FLACOURTIACEAE Caseariu sylvestris
SW. “Lingua de tiu”. S-1047. The root deco&ion is used for chest and body pains; it is taken during the day with roasted lime. The leaves are taken with alecrim as a sexual stimulant. PC (3, 514- 516): “Guaqatunga” and “Lingua de tiu”: the bark is used against fever and as an antiinflammatory; the leaf juice or deco&ion to treat herpes, syphilis, and snake bites. M: “Erva-de-bugre” (Casearia sylvestris) is used as a depurative, antisyphilitic, febrifuge, for skin diseases. Tree, indigenous.
LEGUMINOSAE Andira
laurifolia Benth. var. laurifolia. “Angelim”, “Matabaratas”. S-1082. Peasants near the Lapinha cave said that the ripe fruit is cooked and mixed together with “fubi” (corn meal) for killing cockroaches. According to other rural people, the mashed fruit and roots have to be spread on the floor to kill the “baratas” (cockroaches). The plant is considered “brava” (dangerous); the smoke produced by burning the plant is reputed to cause blindness. The fruit oil is reputed to be an aphrodisiac. PC (1, 1211: “Angelim do campo”; under the common name “Angelim”, several Andira species are included; the fruits are claimed to be a vermifuge, but toxic, the bark insecticidal and vermifuge. Shrub, indigenous. Bauhinia forficata
Lam. “Pata de vaca”. S-1044. The leaves are cut off and allowed to dry. A 1 1 bottle is filled with the dried, finely crushed leaves and wine or alcohol added. The macerate is drunk as an antidiabetic. For people 20-25 years old, 10 drops are given as a drink, while for older people (50 years or older) 20 drops have to be taken, daily for nine days. PC (5, 237): as an antidiabetic, for urinary complaints. M: under “unha-de-vaca”; B. forficata is diuretic, antidiabetic, purgative. Shrub, indigenous.
166
Cassiu lutistipulu Benth. “Jolo
da costa”. S-1032. According to its size, l-3 plants are boiled in 2 1 of water, sometimes with Yip6 prata” (Banisteriopsis argyrophyllu), and drunk as a diuretic. Not mentioned in PC or M. Herb, indigenous. Chamaecrista neesiana (Ma: t. ex Benth.1 Irwin and Barneby var. neesiana. “Seno miudo”. S-1028. Powdered leaves with the same amount of white rose and erva dote (unidentified Umbelliferael are boiled in 3 1 of water for 5 min. The decoction is drunk as a purgative. Not mentioned in PC or M. Herb, indigenous. Chamaecrista
pupil&a
The leaf deco&ion Herb, indigenous.
Irwin and Barneby. “Cerro grande”. S-1052. is taken as a purgative. Not mentioned in PC or M.
Clitoris guyanensis
Benth. “Capoeraba”. S-1069. The root infusion is reputed to be a fortificant and a sexual stimulant. PC (2, 576): “Espelina falsa”; the root and seeds are used to treat cystitis and uretritis. Herb, indigenous. Eriosema
benthamianum Mart. ex Benth. “Bolsa de pastouro”. S-1050. A root and/or leaf infusion is taken as an antiinflammatory. PC (6, 971: “Andu-do campo”; purgative. Shrub, indigenous.
Gala&a
martii DC. “Canela do perdiz”. S-1029. For treating bloody diarrhea and stomachache, a bunch of the plant in 0.5 1 of water is boiled down to 0.25 1 and sweetened. The resulting decoction has to be administered orally every 30 min. It is taken only for one day. PC (3, 661: “Feijao bravo”; seeds suspected to be poisonous. Herb, indigenous. Hymenaea
stigonocarpa Mart. var. stigonocarpa. “Jatoba”. S-1083. The bark resin is eaten for treatment of stomach ulcer. PC (4, 5021: “Jatoba do campo”; fruits edible. M: stomachic, expectorant, astringent. Tree, indigenous. Stryphnodendron
adstringens
Mart.
(Syn.: S. barbatimao
Mart.). “Barbati-
mao”. S-1077. The bark infusion is used as an antiinflammatory, in case of gastritis and sore throat. PC (1, 268-2691: “Barbatimao verdadeiro”; the bark is used as a hemostatic, antidiarrheal, to stop womb bleedings and hemoptisis, scurvy, sores and wounds; the leaves as a tonic; the seeds are suspected to be poisonous. M: astringent, hemostatic, cicatrizant, antidiarrheal. Tree, indigenous.
167
LILIACEAE Aloe vera L. “Babosa”.
S-1066. The leaf sap is used to kill lice. PC (1, 227- 2281: leaf sap is used as an antihelmintic, febrifuge, insecticide; for eye diseases and hepatic disorders; root for treating colics. Herb, introduced; cultivated. MALPIGHIACEAE Banisteriopsis
argyrophyllu (A. Juss.1 Gates. “Cipo prata”. S-1031. The root deco&ion is recommended for kidney troubles and inflammation. PC (2, 301): “Cipo prata”; no medicinal uses recorded. Herb, indigenous.
MELIACEAE Melti azederach
L. “Cinnamomo”. S-1065. Used as an insecticide: the leaf macerate or deco&ion is poured on places where insects crawl. PC (2, 259 - 263): the leaves are used as an insect repellant, febrifuge, stomachic, emetic, antidiarrheal; the fruits as an antihelmintic; the aerial parts are said to be repellant to fleas and other insects; the root bark purgative, emetic, antihelmintic, febrifuge. M: astringent, stomachic, emmenagogue, antihysteric, antidiarrheic. Tree, introduced; originally from tropical Asia. Cabralea canjerana Well.1 Mart. ssp. polytricha (A. Juss.1 Pennington. “Canjerana”. S-966. “Canjerana” is sometimes known as “Matabaratas” and is claimed to be toxic. PC (1, 462- 4631: “Cangerana” stem and root bark is used as a febrifuge, astringent, emetic, abortive; toxic in high doses; leaves a febrifuge; fruit sap an insecticide. Tree, indigenous.
MYRTACEAE Campomanesia
rufa Berg. “Gabiroba”. S-1036. Three “dedos” of Gabiroba roots are placed into 2 1 of water, boiled down to 0.25 1, and sweetened. One “dedo” corresponds to a piece of 15-18 mm long. A spoonful of the preparation is taken early in the morning to treat wounds and sores, including “ferida brava”. It is also used together with Quiabinho VManihot tripartita) and Mangaba (Hancornia speciosa) roots. PC (3, 5051: “Guabiroba”; the fruits are edible. Shrub, indigenous.
OXALIDACEAE Oxalis hirsutissima
Mart. et Zucc. “Azedinha”. S-1016. The whole plant is placed into a pot with some water
and sugar
and
168
cooked until the sap is exuded. A spoonful is taken as an antihelmintic. (1, 2201: “Azedinha vermelha”; used for anginas. Herb, indigenous.
PC
PHYTOLACCACEAE Microtea
paniculata Moq. “llinhaco do campo”. S-1068. The leaf infusion is used against stomach pains. PC (5, 198): “Microtea”; medicinal uses recorded. Herb, indigenous.
no
Pe tiverk
alliacea L. “Guine”, “Erva-guine”. S-1014. The plant is reputed to be “fetiqeira” (magical). According to LeCointe (194’71,the leaves are insecticidal. PC (6, 2551: “Tipi”; root decoction is used as an antispasmodic, abortive, sudorific, diuretic, antirheumatic, against venereal diseases. M: for dropsy, paralysis, rheumatism, headache. Herb, pantropical.
RUBIACEAE Neea theifera
Oerst. “Caparoxa roxa”. S-1045. Three “Caparoxa roxa” with three “Don Bernardo” (Palicourea rigida, see below) leaves in infusion are employed as an antiinflammatory. The infusion is taken throughout a whole day. PC (1, 501-502): “Caparosa do campo”; as an astringent, to treat dysentery, diarrhea, gastro-intestinal troubles. Shrub, indigenous.
Palicourea
rigida HBK. “Don Bernardo”, “Caixeta”. S-1042. An infusion of three leaves in 1 1 of water is taken daily as an antiinflammatory. No information either in PC or M. Shrub, indigenous.
Palicourea
marcgravii St. Hil. “Erva do boi”. S-1073. The aerial parts are said to be toxic to cattle. PC (4, 105-106): rato verdadeira”; said to be toxic to cattle. Shrub, indigenous.
“Herva de
Remigia
ferruginea (St. Hil.) DC. “Quina”, “Quina mineira”. S-1019. The roots are mashed with milk and taken early in the morning; it is said to be an efective vermifuge. PC (5, 566): “Quina-da-serra”; the bark is used as a substitute for true quina (Cinchona); bitter, tonic, but not as a febrifuge. Shrub, indigenous.
Sabicea
cana Hook. “Sangue de Cristo”. S-1049. For tooth pain and as a blood depurative, an infusion is prepared from the root and/or leaves, and drunk. PC (6, 44): “Sangue-de-Cristo”; no medicinal use recorded. Shrub, indigenous.
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SCROPHULARIACEAE L. “Vassourinha”. S-1010. Medicinal. PC (6, 1981: “Tapixaba”, ‘Vassourinha-dote”; expectorant, emollient. Herb, indigenous.
Scopariu d&is
medicinal.
M:
SOLANACEAE L. “Matadeira”, “Reventa cavalo”. S-1067. The whole plant decoction is used externally to treat ectoparasites of cattle. The plant sap is also applied locally to treat miasis. PC (2, 610-6111: “Estramonio”; leaves and seeds are claimed to be an antiasthmatic, when smoked. M: narcotic, antispasmodic, sedative, antiasthmatic. Herb, pantropiCal.
Datura stramonium
Nicotiana tabacum L. “Fumo”. S-1013. The dried leaf macerate, infusion or powder is said to be used as an insecticide or insect repellant in vegetable gardens. PC (3, 349-3561; leaf in chickens’ nests to repel lice and fleas, and also an antihelmintic. M: as a snuff, antitetanic. Herb. cultivated. SYMPLOCACEAE
lunceolata (Mart.1 A.DC. var. rhamnifolia A.DC. “Congonhinha”, “Congonha”. S-1064. Two different plants are known under the name “Congonha”. The first one, with small leaves, is a big tree (unidentified in the present survey), while the second a shrub. In case of kidney troubles, a leaf infusion or decoction is taken. It is also taken as a coffee or tea-like infusion. PC (2, 3611; “Congonha da caixeta”; the leaves are used as a Mate substitute or additive. Shrub, indigenous.
Symplocos
VERBENACEAE
Lantana camara L. “Camara”.
S-1004. The aerial parts are used to treat mange. PC (1, 4141: leaf decoction is used as a sudorific, tonic, febrifuge and for treatment of bronchopulmonary diseases; used in a bath against mange. M: tonic, sudorific, febrifuge, emollient, expectorant, balsamic. Shrub, pantropical.
Lippia lupulina Cham. “Azedinha
do campo”. S-1071. The leaf infusion is used to treat mouth sores. PC (5, 612): “Rosa-do-camPO”; no medicinal uses recorded. Herb, indigenous.
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Stachytarpheta cayennensis Cham. “Gervao roxo”. S-1008. Medicinal. PC (3, 3931: the leaves are taken as a laxative and as an antihemorroidal. Herb, indigenous. VOCHYSIACEAE Salvertiu convalluriaeodora St. Hil. “Matraquero”. S-1040. The bark is ground into a powder and two spoonfuls of the powder are placed into wine and drunk to treat stomach acidity. PC (2, 3461: “Colher de vaqueiro”; no medicinal uses recorded. Tree, indigenous. Discussion and Conclusions Fifty-two plant species belonging to twenty-seven families used for medicinal purposes in Minas Gerais were recorded in the present survey. Twelve of them (23%) were not previously mentioned or reported as medicinal by Pio Correia while thirty-four (65%) were not included in the medicinal flora of Belo Horizonte by Mesquita et al. (19821. Eleven plants used against arthropods were identified in the present survey. Some of them are well-known sources of insect toxicants such as Nicotiana tabacum and Meliu axedarach. Synthetic insecticides are presently the only effective chemicals used against arthropods known to most people. Small farmers, however, still use a macerate of tobacco leaves to spray crops against insects. Tobacco extracts have been employed as insecticides for nearly 300 years. Their active principles are the alkaloid nicotine and closely related compounds (Holyoke et Reese, 19871. Arruda (Ruta graveolens) and alecrim CRosmarinus officinale) are known as insect repellants and were formerly used domestically. Morphological similarities may explain the reason for the use of shrubby Baccharis to repel insects and ticks under the name of “alecrim”, “alecrim da folha miuda” and “alecrim do mato”, while Chenopodium ambrosioides is said to repel lice from chickens. In rural areas near Belo Horizonte, other species such as the introduced “Cinnamomo” &felia axedarach) and “cerrado” plants like “ Matabaratas” (cockroachkiller) klndira lauri,foZial are known as insect repellant. The tetranortriterpenoid azadirachtin and other limonoids isolated from Melia azedarach have been shown to exhibit a broad insecticidal spectra in various orders of insects, due to growth regulating and other effects (Schmutterer, 19871. The biological activity ascribed to Andira laurifolia deserves further phytochemical and pharmacological research. Carica papaya seeds and Chenopodium ambrosioides aerial parts are of widespread use as a vermifuge. “Horteld” (Mentha spp.) appears to be one of the most frequent vermifuge used near the city, while less frequent ones are “azedinha” (Oxalis hirsutissima), “Quina” (Remijia ferrugineal and “Melao-deS&o-Caetano” (Momordica charantia). In the Cip6 area, ectoparasites in cattle and man are treated either with
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Datura stramonium, Melia azedarach, Lantana camara or Asclepias curassavica, in a bath. On the basis of the recorded information, inflammations, sores, renal and digestive troubles appear to be the most common complaints of peasants in the surveyed area. Several plants, by themselves or in mixtures, are employed for the treatment of wounds and sores. Under the name of “ferida brava”, informants include sores or wounds that are difficult to heal, regardless of their origin. The symtomatology of some cases closely resembles leishmaniasis, a tropical disease caused by the protozoan Leishmania and transmitted by sandfleas (Croft, 19861. “Landim da lapa” (Cordia ecalyculata), for example, was said to be a plant that completely healed a patient formerly resistant to any chemotherapy. The informant described a typical mucocutaneous leishmaniasis without knowledge of the disease, and said that, after a three-month period of treatment, lesions healed. They also claimed that there are two “Landim”, differing in morphology, one growing in the “Cerrado” and the second on the hill slopes, but only the latter is regarded as effective. Further studies of the ingredients, as well as the whole preparations used to treat “ferida brava”, against Leishmania strains is advisable, since the chemotherapeutic agents currently used to treat this disease are toxic and expensive products (Fournet et al., 19881. Since the main objective of the present survey was to assess the use of plants as a vermifuge or for the control of arthropods, it did not cover the whole herbal pharmacopeia of the State of Minas Gerais. Moreover, field work was carried out in suburban and rural areas some 100 km around Belo Horizonte. Nevertheless, the data collected indicated the presence of a very rich herbal tradition which still plays an important role among the peasants. Sadly, such a tradition is being rapidly lost. This loss, as well as the loss of the native ecosystems, is being felt among the people being interviewed and was expressed to the authors. In the face of such a loss, pharmacological investigation must be performed, in order to establish the efficacy and safety of the herbal prescriptions, and to discover new compounds that may be useful to modern medicine. Similarly, further ethnobotanical work needs to be undertaken in order to complete the inventory of the plants used in therapy in the State of Minas Gerais. Acknowledgements This work would not have been possible without the collaboration of all the informants, particularly Doiia Lica, who willingly shared her knowledge of plant uses. The present work was carried out during the author’s stay at the Instituto de Pesquisas Rene Rachou, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. We wish to express our gratitude to Dr. Naftale Katz, head of the institute, and to all the indi-
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viduals who have collaborated in one way or another in our research. We kindly acknowledge Maria Marcia Perillo for her skillful technical assistance and Telma S. Mesquita G., Herbarium of the Instituto de Ciencias Basicas, Universidade Federal Minas Gerais (BHCB), for the plant determination and useful discussion. We also acknowledge the help of Stephen Smith, National Herbarium of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. (USA) for the plant identification. This research work was conducted under a grant from the World Bank Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program. The views and interpretations in this document are those of the authors and should not be attributed to the Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program or to the World Bank. References. Cabrera, A.L. and Willink, A. (1980) Biogeografia de America Latina. Serie de Biologia, Monografia No. 13, OEA, 2nd. Ed., pp. 56-57. Correa, P. (1926-19781 Diccionario das Plantas Uteis do Brasil e das Exoticas Cultivadus. Impresa National, Ministerio de Agricultura, IBDF, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (6 volumes). Croft, S.L. (19861 In vitro screens in the experimental chemotherapy of Leishmaniasis and Trypanosomiasis. Parasitology Today 2, 64-69. Farnsworth, N.R., Akerele, O., Bingel, A.S., Soejarto, D.D. and Guo, Z. (19851 Medicinal plants in therapy. Bulletin of the World Health Organization 63, 965-981. Fournet, A., Muiioz, V., Manjon, A.M., Angelo, A., Hocquemiller, R., Cortes, D., Cave, A. and Bruneton, J. (19881 Activite antiparasitaire d’alcaloides bisbenzylisoquinoleiques. I: Activite in vitro sur des promastigotes de trois souches de Leishmania Journal of Ethnopharrnacololy 24, 327 - 335.
Guimaraes Ferri, M. (19801 Vegetaeao Brasileira. Ed. Itatiaia, Belo Horizonte. Reconquista do Brasil, nova ser. Vol. 26, pp. 51- 69. Hoehne, F.C. (1939) Plantas e Substancias Vegetais Toxicas e Medicinais. Graphicars, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Holyoke, C.W. and Reese, J.C. (19871Acute insect toxicants from plants. In: E. D. Morgan and N. B. Mandava (Eds.1. Handbook of Natural Pesticides, Vol. IZI, Insect Growth Regulators, Part B. CRC Press, pp. 67- 118. LeCointe, P. (1947) Arvores e Plantas Uteis (Amazonia Brasileira III), 2nd. Edn. Companhia Editora National, S&o Paulo, Brazil. Mezquita G., T.S. and Siqueira, D.M. (19821 Flora Medicinal de Belo Horizonte, VII. Simposio de Plantas Medicinales. Oreodes 8 (14 - 151, 126 - 139. Schmutterer, H. (1987) Insect growth-disrupting and fecundity reducing ingredients from the Neem and Chinaberry trees. In: E.D. Morgan and N. B. Mandava (Eds.1, Handbook of Natural Pesticides, Vol. IZI, Insect Growth Regulators, Part B. CRC Press, pp. 1199170.
