A comparison of plants utilized in ritual healing by two Brazilian cultures: Quilombolas and Kraho Indians.
Journal of psychoactive drugs September 1, 2006 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2006.10399854 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractTwo ethnobotanical surveys among the Krahô Indians of Tocantins State and Quilombola descendants of former slaves in Mato Grosso State, Brazil, documented 169 plants used in ritual healing ceremonies for central nervous system ailments. These plants were prepared in 345 prescriptions for 68 conditions classified as tonics, analgesics, anorectics, hallucinogens, and anxiolytics. The work discusses the taxonomic families of the plants, common therapeutic indications, and types of healing rituals.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Ethnobotanical survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Krahô Indians in Tocantins State, Brazil, and Quilombola descendants in Mato Grosso State, Brazil |
| Duration | Two years |
| Key finding | A total of 169 plants were used in 345 prescriptions for 68 CNS-related ailments across the two populations. |
Abstract
The present study deals with two ethnobotanical surveys carried out in two different segments of the Brazilian population: the first among the Krahô Indians living in Tocantins State, a Cerrado region, and the second one among the descendants of former black slaves, the Quilombolas, living in Mato Grosso State. Both populations use plants which may have effects on the central nervous system (CNS) in their ritual healing ceremonies. Field work was performed during two years by one of the authors (E. Rodrigues) utilizing methods from botany and anthropology. Information was obtained on a total of 169 plants which were utilized in the preparation of 345 prescriptions for 68 ailments seemingly of the CNS, classified as tonics, analgesics, anorectics, hallucinogens, and anxiolytics. The taxonomic families of plants used, the more common therapeutic indications and types of healing rituals are discussed.