Ethnobotany and medicinal plants in the perspective of traditional knowledge recovery and environmental conservation

Abstract

Ethnobotany is the science that aims to analyze the interactions between men and plants coexisting in dynamic ecosystems, it stands as a link between academic and traditional knowledge. The use of medicinal plants is presented as one of the main practices propagated by popular culture, representing many times, the only therapeutic resource of various communities. Thus, this study aimed, through a literature review, discuss in a critical and objective way, the ethnobotany and the medicinal plants based on the value of traditional knowledge and environmental conservation, given that traditional knowledge has contributed to the dissemination of therapeutic virtues, where the interest for this has taken on new trends, in order to face contemporary social and environmental problems that require emergency interdisciplinary solutions. This way, rescue the knowledge about medicinal plants and their therapeutic methods becomes a form of informal learning log, which subsequently, can be used for appreciation of folk medicine. With this, is possible to realize the importance of ethnobotany as the valorizing of traditional knowledge with the possible integration of this with scientific knowledge, working still how an effective and efficient tool when it comes topractical, the sustainable use and the management of plant resources.