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The objective of this study was to establish the current state of knowledge about the use of medicinal plants in rural communities: Caracol, Febres Cordero, La Unión and Pimocha de Babahoyo, Los Ríos Province, Ecuador, between October 2023 and March 2024. An observational, descriptive, field and transversal research was carried out. 388 adults between 20 and 65 years of both sexes participated, to whom a questionnaire was applied to obtain information about the plants they use, the diseases they treat, the parts of the plant used, the method of preparation, the amount of consumption, the route of administration, negative reactions and use of rituals. In addition, photographs and samples of the plants were obtained for their taxonomic identification. The main results were: 11 species of plants with medicinal use were identified, with the leaves being the most used part. The main form of preparation was infusion and the most used route of administration was oral. Significant differences were found in knowledge of the species according to sex and age range, with a greater predominance of the female sex, level of primary education and married marital status. The most used medicinal plants were: chamomile, eucalyptus, Santa María and lemon verbena. In conclusion, this study allowed us to know the current use of medicinal plants in the rural communities of Babahoyo, identifying the most used species and use patterns related to sociodemographic characteristics.
Este obra está bajo una licencia de Creative Commons Reconocimiento-NoComercial-CompartirIgual 4.0 Internacional.
