Knowledge on medicinal plants and herbal medicines by community health agents of Ijuí/RS

Abstract

Objective: To assess the knowledge of medicinal plants and herbal medicines by Community Health Agents (ACS) in a ESF municipality Ijuí/RS. Method: Cross-sectional study, quantitative and qualitative, with 13 ACS. Data collection occurred in April 2014, and the analysis of quantitative data was done using descriptive statistics. The qualitative data were presented through the Collective Subject Discourse. Results: The main understanding of ACS on herbal medicine is related to the use of medicinal plants. Everyone agrees on the availability of plants and herbal medicines in the NHS, and provide information as to the mode of preparation and storage plants. Also believe that the incorrect use of plants can cause health hazards. Conclusion: There is a lack of knowledge about herbal medicine for ACS. Herbal medicine can and should be considered as a field of interaction of knowledge and practice that values and considers cultural resources, practices and local knowledge, with the involvement of the professional health care team.