Plantas medicinales comercializadas en los mercados y ferias libres del cantón Limón Indanza, provincia Morona Santiago

Abstract

Abstract: This work uses a quantitative and qualitative methodology that reveals the medicinal plants sold in the markets and free fairs of the Limón Indanza canton, Morona Santiago province. Through informal interviews, direct observation, information was collected on the uses of medicinal plants in each market. The data collected were organized and refined for their respective ethnobotanical and statistical analyses. Eighteen species are sold, of which eight are native, sold by nine merchants of the Shuar ethnic group who offer their knowledge for the preparation of natural remedies. The form of sale of medicinal plants is the leaves and the entire plant for six species, of five medicinal species the stem and leaves are sold, for two species the root is offered, while for one species the leaves and flowers are offered. In conclusion, the most common species are easily found at fairs or markets whose ancestral knowledge corresponds to the indigenous medicine of the Shuar people, which has been well received by the population of the Limón Indanza canton.