Plantas medicinales que se comercializan en los principales mercados y ferias libres del cantón Saraguro

Abstract

Abstract: In the Andean Zone, from ancient times to date, residents use plants medicinal to cure ailments or treat diseases; Under this premise, the objective of This investigative work was to interview the different vendors in the markets of the Saraguro canton on the sale, use and ways of preparing herbs for purposes medicinal. A non-experimental research was carried out, with a qualitative approach and the The information was collected through semi-structured surveys of 27 sellers. of medicinal plants in the six free markets and fairs of the Saraguro canton. The The results obtained showed the sale of 60 species such as Aloe vera L. Burm. F. (sabila), Matricaria chamomilla L. (chamomile), Ruta graveolens L. (rue), these being the most used plants. Botanical identification and data analysis were also carried out, resulting in the most commonly used forms of use being: infusion, crushed, mixed, as juice, ointment, cooked, as juice, poultice and through the extraction of the essential oil, depending on the plant and its use, information that allowed prepare the guide to species that are sold in the markets of the Saraguro canton, finally giving way to the elaboration of ethnobotanical analysis. A considerable segment of the population of the Saraguro canton, mainly people with low incomes, are who mostly acquire medicinal plants to cure their ailments and diseases.