Characterization of ethnobotanical knowledge about medicinal plants in Pujilí.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62452/scngb913Keywords:
Asteraceae, Ethnobotanical Knowledge, Intergenerational Transmission, LamiaceaeAbstract
This study aimed to characterize ethnobotanical knowledge regarding medicinal plants in the canton of Pujilí, Ecuador, using a mixed-methods approach that integrated quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Surveys were administered to one hundred key informants, and field trips were conducted to collect and identify species. The analysis incorporated the Index of Cultural Significance and the Informant Consensus Factor, alongside statistical tests to evaluate sociodemographic variations. Sixty-four medicinal species were documented, with Matricaria chamomilla and Tilia platyphyllos showing the highest cultural significance. Knowledge showed a high degree of consensus for treating gastrointestinal ailments, pain, and infections. The analyses revealed that this knowledge is significantly concentrated among older individuals, women, and rural residents, whereas a higher level of formal education was associated with reduced traditional knowledge. These results evidence a process of erosion of ancestral knowledge and underscore the necessity of developing safeguarding strategies that prioritize intergenerational transmission and the integration of this knowledge into educational and biocultural conservation programs.
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