Plantas medicinales comercializadas en los mercados y ferias libres del canton Gualaceo

Abstract

Abstract:This study evaluated traditional knowledge about the trade and use of medicinal plants in the markets and open-air markets of the Gualaceo canton. The collected data were cleaned and analyzed using Microsoft Excel. Ethnobotanical indices such as the Informant Consensus Factor, Fidelity Level, and Relative Citation Frequency were used to assess the cultural significance of the species. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 33 medicinal plant traders, documenting information on 34 species belonging to 20 botanical families. The most representative families were Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, and Amaranthaceae. Matricaria recutita L., Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf, and Melissa officinalis L. were the most frequently mentioned species. Digestive and nervous system disorders were the most common use categories. The statistical analysis revealed significant differences in the number of species sold between urban and rural areas. The study highlights the importance of markets as centers of knowledge and natural diversity.