Use and traditional knowledge of medicinal plants in communities of Villa Corzo, Chiapas, Mexico

Abstract

The use and knowledge of native and naturalized medicinal plants were evaluated in four communities of Villa Corzo, Chiapas, Mexico. The information was obtained through semi-structured surveys conducted with 118 people of different age and gender categories. To determine the most important plant species, indexes of value and frequency of use were generated. Seventy-nine species of 49 families were recorded, as well as their use in the treatment of various diseases according to local knowledge. The species with the highest value of use were Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f., Verbena officinalis L. (verbena), Ocimum basilicum L. (basil) and Psidium guajava L. (guava). (guava). The most important families by number of species used were, in order of importance: Asteraceae and Rutaceae with five species Lamiaceae, Fabaceae and Rosaceae with four species each.