Traditional knowledge for the improvement of their health, with medicinal species in the indigenous communities of the Shawi ethnic group, in Peruvian Amazon

Abstract

Shawi ethnic group located in the Peruvian Amazon know and apply medicinal plants to their health. The study was carried out in communities of Buenos Aires, Nuevo Cachiyacu and Santa Cruz in the Balsapuerto district, Alto Amazonas province, Loreto region; in workshops, visits to their farms and local forests. 27% were women and 73% male, ages in the range of 19 to 70 years old. The objective was to document the knowledge of uses of medicinal plants, with open interviews. Analyzed data included species common names, type of most common diseases, how they cure them and methods of plant preparation. Information of 24 species which they consider the most used was collected. Those corresponded to 17 botanical families and they use them for treatment of 22 diseases. The largest number in treatments were diarrhea, stomach colic and external wounds with five species, and the rest of diseases with three, two to one species. The leaves are the most used in infusions.