Pharmacology of plants used in traditional Paraguayan medicine: A review of literature

Jana Ďurinová

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

The aim of this thesis was to carry out a review of literature focused on the ethnobotanical usage of medicinal plants in Paraguay, evaluate the information available on the traditional application and ingestion of these plants and consequently research any new sources, which correspond with the traditional employment of the plants or might have broader effects and higher significance. There is a large historical tradition in everyday use of herbal medicine in Paraguay, which is mainly because of the indigenous descendance of the most population. The high employment of medicinal plants in common life of Paraguay population is thanks to the Guarany tribe, who originally inhabited these lands and their successors continue to be the most populated indigenous family amongst other indigenous tribes. Original Guarany inhabitants were known for their love of nature and common usage of herbal remedies, which has been passed on for centuries. It was because of them that some plants, nowadays commonly used across the globe, came to the knowledge of other folk. One of such plants is Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, as for today known mainly because of its benefits as a sweetening agent. Another plant which is being commonly used across the world is Ilex paraguariensis commonly known as Yerba Mate and appreciated for its stimulating properties. Performing this systematic review of literature 139 different plant species, were enlisted and evaluated. Some of these are abundantly used to cure or decrease the symptoms of various illnesses. On some there is still not enough recent studies carried out. Plant family listed most frequently was the family of Compositae.

Keywords

Paraguay, traditional medicine, medicinal plants, biological activity, folk medicine, ethnobotany

Jazyk práce: English

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 16. 8. 2021

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Vedúci: prof. Ing. Ladislav Kokoška, Ph.D.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences

Bachelor programme / odbor:
Agricultural Specialization / Agriculture in Tropics and Subtropics