Traditional Knowledge of Forest Medicinal Plants of Munduruku Indigenous People - Ipaupixuna

Abstract

Aims: The traditional knowledge about the use of typical flora of forests such as the Amazon rainforest, is undoubtedly an intangible richness of indigenous populations. Recording this knowledge to value it is essential in the construction of contemporary history, especially in the present times of invasion of the Indigenous Territories. Thus, the objective of this research was to elucidate from ethnobotanical diagnoses the useful flora of Munduruku indigenous families, as a renewable and exploitable natural resource. The working hypothesis was to confirm the dependency of these local communities on the forests, while medicinal environments.   Study Design: The structure of the research was based on three moments: 1. Intervention with the human component (conducting interviews with indigenous families); 2. Intervention with the plant component (preparation of the excicatas of the cited plants and taxonomic identification); 3. Analysis of human and plant components (ethnobotanical study). Place and Duration of Study: The research developed in a village called Ipaupixuna, whose indigenous families are from Munduruku ethnic group. The duration of the research was six (6) months. Methodology: The analysis was characterized by Quantitative ethnobotany whose variables analyzed were Relative Frequency of Citation, Use Valour, Level of Fidelity, Relative Popularity and Rank Order Priority. The statistical analysis comprised a Linear Pearson Correlation Matrix for dimensioning the correlation between the ethnobotanical variables. Results: The results showed rich diversity of species, with 110 plants being raised used by indigenous families in five categories: medicinal, food, crafts, construction and cosmetics.  Arecaceae was the botanical family with the highest number of medicinal species.  Dipteryx odorata was the specie with the highest Relative Frequency, while Plectranthus amboinicus and Caesalpinia ferrea as well as Fredericia chica presented high Use Value for the indigenous. Conclusions: The indigenous families of Munduruku ethnic group of Tapajós river Basin studied in this research, have in the Forest and in its backyards, sources of plants for multiple uses, thus evidencing the high dependence between indigenous people and Forests. The creation of new spaces called Medicinal Forests and Ethnogardens is essential to contributing to the health safety of indigenous families.