Caracterización del Comercio de Plantas Medicinales en la Región Andina

Abstract

Objective. Characterize the traders of medicinal plants in the Region Andina, stating socio-economic and cultural aspects; as well as to state the use, preparation, contraindication and origin of the 26 medicinal plants commonly marketed in the study area. Materials and methods. 94 surveys were applied to the merchants of establishments dedicated to the sale of medicinal plants in the 28 municipalities of the Andean region, in order to determine the socio-economic and cultural aspects of the merchants. Additionally, an identification of the medicinal plants commonly marketed in the study area was carried out, followed by a comparison of the uses and contraindications reported by the traders versus the Colombian Vademecum of Medicinal Plants. Results. There is a generation gap regarding the age of medicinal plant traders, considering that of the 94 surveyed, close to 70% of them are in an age range of 40 to 61 years. Regarding the plant species commonly traded, it was reported that the largest number of plants are cultivated within the region under study. It was also observed that the plants with the highest percentage of commercialization frequency in the region are calendula, chamomile, peppermint and aloe, as well as the most frequent way of consumption are infusion and baths.