Abstract

TRIGUEROS-VAZQUEZ, Imna Yolanda et al. Cultural significance of medicinal plants amongst Mochó and Kakchikel ethnic groups of the state of Chiapas, Mexico. Polibotánica [online]. 2023, n.55, pp.179-195.  Epub May 26, 2023. ISSN 1405-2768.  https://doi.org/10.18387/polibotanica.55.12.

Medicinal plants have had worldwide cultural importance because of their use and preservation in rural communities and urban areas. The aim of this research was to determine the cultural significance that Kakchikel and Mochó ethnic groups, inhabitants of the Sierra Mariscal estate of Chiapas, give to their medicinal plants. A qualitative and quantitative approach was used with direct interviews and a questionnaire. The data provided by the respondents was used to build up a Microsoft Excel® database for descriptive statistics to estimate the number of plants used per illness, grouped according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems of the WHO. Similarity of illnesses amongst ethnic groups was determined adopting the Jaccard index, and the Significant Use Level (TRAMIL) or cultural value per plant species was evaluated as well. Both ethnic groups are registered for some official or private medical services, but they prefer using medicinal plants, regardless of their literacy level. The Mochó ethnic group reported 93 illnesses and the Kakchikel 74, classified into 13 diseases groups according to the WHO, having a 28.5% of similarity index. Ten out of 167 illnesses were reported as the most common ailments, such as: coughing, headache, diarrhea, fever, flu, stomachache, diabetes, kidneys ailments, gastritis and wounds. From 209 as total of medicinal plants, the Mochó reported using 123 and the Kakchikel 86, from which 16 and 14 species had cultural significance respectively. Most used medicinal plants are Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.), common rue (Ruta graveolens L.) and verbain (Verbena litoralis Kunth.).

Keywords : Biodiversity; health services; illnesses; ethnic groups; ethnobotany; ethnomedicine.

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