Explanatory models of the professional sector in relation to medicinal plants

Abstract

Objective: Recognizing the explanatory models of the professional sector in relation to medicinal plants. Method: The study was conducted with nine professionals between May and July 2011 in the rural area of Pelotas/RS, with self-application of semi-structured questionnaires, participant observation and focus group. All ethical guidelines for research involving human beings were respected and each professional has been identified by the name of a medicinal plant. Results: According to the thematic analysis of data, health professionals use medicinal plants for care of their health and are able to mention the use of plant resources in the context of primary health care in times of self-care and palliative care. Aside from these moments, they encourage the exclusive use of allopathic resources. Conclusion: The strength of the professional sector with regard to medicinal plants may reflect the biomedical training, consisting of a critical node of semantic networks.