Plantas medicinales comercializadas en los mercados y ferias libres del cantón Portovelo provincia de El Oro, Ecuador.

Abstract

Abstract: The objective of this research was to evaluate the trade and uses of medicinal plants sold in the markets and open-air fairs of the Portovelo canton. The information was documented through interviews with vendors, focusing on the species offered, their traditional applications, and their effectiveness. Forty-five plant species belonging to 32 botanical families were recorded. The most represented family was Lamiaceae with six species. The most frequently mentioned plants were Gaiadendron punctatum Ruiz & Pav, Plantago major L., and Ruta graveolens L., used primarily to heal wounds, combat illness, relieve pain, and treat cancer. The leaves were the most commonly used part, and the predominant form of sale was fresh. Oral administration was the primary route of administration. The highest informant consensus factor (ICF) was 1 for 5 categories: Subcutaneous, endocrine system, genitourinary, immune, mental, and Finally, the Mann-Whitney test did not show a significant correlation between the age of the vendors and the species, confirming that the use and commercialization of medicinal plants remain current and linked to the ancestral knowledge of the population.