Plants commercialized by herbalists in the market district of Cajabamba (Cajamarca, Peru)

Abstract

The study records the knowledge and use of plants sold in the market of the Cajabamba district, the environment where they develop and the status of conservation they expose. 60 herbalists were interviewed, which recorded 123 species, most of them are taken from their natural habitat. The most representative families were Lamiaceae and Asteraceae with 18 and 17 species respectively. Plants of medical category had the highest number of species, used mainly against digestive disorders. Nine are included under categories of conservation according to Peruvian regulation, and eight of them are endemics. It is concluded that traditional knowledge is preserved and is especially transmitted by women.