Cuadernos De Investigación

An ethno-pharmacological survey based on TRAMIL methodology was conducted in the southeast region of Puerto Rico to record medicinal plants commonly or frequently used to treat ten common health conditions of prevalence in the region and the trends in medicinal plant use among the study population. The results were analyzed using univariate and multivariate statistical analysis. One hundred and eighteen herbal remedies were recorded for the treatment of depression, nervousness, chronic sinusitis, gastritis, gastroesophagus reflux disease, allergic rhinitis, rhinofaryngitis, asthma, arthritis and migraine. Among the most frequently used plants were Citrus aurantium L. (depression and nervousness), Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle (rhinopharyngitis), Pluchea odorata (L.) Cass (migraine), and Mentha piperita L. (sinusitis). The use of medicinal plants was more frequent among single women with high education level. The use of medicinal plants is decreasing due to an increase in the use of conventional medical care and to self medication with over-the-counter pharmaceutical products.