# Ethnobotany of Indigenous Saraguros: Medicinal Plants Used by Community Healers “Hampiyachakkuna” in the San Lucas Parish, Southern Ecuador

Authors: José M. Andrade; Hernán Lucero Mosquera; Chabaco Armijos
Journal: BioMed Research International
 (2017)

---

## Abstract

This paper reports the results of an ethnobotanical survey on the use of medicinal plants by community healers “Hampiyachakkuna” in the San Lucas Parish, province of Loja, Ecuador. A particular ethnic group, the indigenous Saraguros, inhabits this region. This study reports 183 plant species used in 75 different curative therapies by the Saraguro healers.


---

## Body

## 1. Introduction

The Saraguros are one of the Kichwa indigenous communities of Ecuador. Although their origin is uncertain, they are considered to have been forced by the Incas to reach Ecuador from far away. A commonly accepted theory on how they reached south Ecuador is as a result of an “ethnical mobilization,” a common practice established by the great Inca Tupac Yupanqui. This strategy was used in order to secure the peace inside the Empire. As such, and according to Uhle [1], a small group of Paltas, the autochthonous inhabitants of the Loja region in south Ecuador, were transferred to Bolivia; and at the same time, a certain number of inhabitants of the Bolivian Highland Plateau were relocated in south Ecuador [2]. Nowadays, the Saraguros are normally settled in communitarian land in the southern Ecuador provinces of Loja and Zamora Chinchipe. In the canton of Loja, the Saraguros live in the San Lucas Parish, where this research was conducted.The Saraguros are one of the best-organized ethnical groups in Ecuador and have conserved many aspects of their ancient culture and traditions for centuries. They demonstrate the latter by preserving their typical dressing, language, religion, gastronomy, architecture, social habits, and medical practices [3]. Among their medical practice traditions, this ethnic group is known for the use of medicinal plants in their own health care system. In fact, the use of these plants as therapeutic agents is an important feature of traditional indigenous medicine and is still practiced within the Saraguro community [4]. In particular, the Saraguros are highly recognized for the development of optimization techniques that help them select natural/plant resources to be used in their health care practices [5].The community of healers locally known as “Hampiyachakkuna” maintains the ancient medical treatments of the Saraguros. The “Yachak” or “Hampi yachakkuna” is the person who knows the curative properties of plants, animals, and/or minerals. Under the Andean cosmovision of the Saraguros ethnical group, the diseases they treat are thought to be produced by either cold or heat [6]. As such, their natural medicines are classified as hot and fresh [7]; and depending on the nature of the patient’s condition, different plants are selected for the treatment in accordance with this classification. However, although the knowledge regarding the usage of plants for medicinal practices has been transmitted orally from generation to generation [8], the Saraguros are experimenting cultural changes that threaten the preservation of their ancestral knowledge. These cultural changes lead to negative consequences such as the loss of traditional knowledge, a decline in the use of natural resources, and changes in the patterns of food intake, medical treatment, and, furthermore, their cosmovision. For these reasons, there is an urgent need to document and preserve their invaluable knowledge [9].In this sense, a number of ethnobotanical studies have been conducted in Ecuador. [10–16]. More recently, a series of important contributions to ethnobotanical research in the South of Ecuador have been published [17, 18]. For example, there are studies related to the use of wild fruits as alimentary supplements [19], the documentation of the herbaceous plants of Vilcabamba [20], and of medicinal plants used in the province of Loja [21]. In the latter, the existence of more than 200 medicinal plants was reported. In the Saraguro region, only few ethnobotanical studies have reported the usefulness of different natural plants in a variety of applications [22–24]. However, to date, a thorough documentation of the plants used as medicinal resources by the healers of the Saraguro ethnical group, which is the motivation for this investigation, has not been reported.Because of the increasing recognition of the importance of the different medicinal species used by the Saraguros and in an effort to preserve their knowledge, in this work we seek to contribute to the conservation strategy on the sustainable uses of the Ecuadorian medicinal biodiversity. The latter is considered a fundamental step in order to raise awareness of its cultural value and the importance of its preservation. By doing that, we intended to safeguard the popular knowledge concerning natural medicinal plants and to provide a baseline for future actions regarding scientific research programs, environmental education, social awareness, and sustainable natural resources exploitation. As such, this study was conducted under a technical and scientific cooperation among the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL), the Dirección Provincial de Salud de Loja (DPSL), and the Saraguros Healers Council (Consejo de Sanadores de Saraguro) with the objective of recognizing and recovering the traditional knowledge of herbal medicinal resources used by the Saraguro community. The results of this research also aim at becoming a starting point to attract the attention of national and international tourists, in order to promote a self-sustaining development of the Saraguro community.


## 2. Methodology

This study was carried out in the San Lucas Parish in the south Ecuadorian province of Loja (Figure1). San Lucas is limited to the north with the Saraguro Canton and the “Loma de Oro” mountain, to the south with the Jimbilla parish by the Bunque and Puruzhuma Rivers, to the east with the Loja-Zamora Chinchipe provincial limits and the Imbana Mountain, and to the west with the Santiago parish. San Lucas has an area of 15.900 ha and a population of approximately 4,296 inhabitants [12]. The dominant ecosystem in the zone is classified as lower montane-humid forest (hf-LM) according to Holdrige classification system. It is located at an average elevation of 2,525 m a.s.l and has an irregular topography. The study area has a temperate climate, with temperature ranging between 12 and 18°C along the year [12]. Annual precipitation amounts range between 600 and 1,000 mm yr−1. The rainfall regime is semihumid with low seasonality.Figure 1
Geographical location of the San Lucas Parish, indicating the places of collection of medicinal species.This research was carried out during 11 field trips conducted during the period June–September 2010. During these field visits, interviews with four key informants (i.e., healers) from the Saraguro community regarding the medicinal plants they use in their practices and their applications were carried out. These healers were a midwife “Wachakhampiyachak,” a herbalist “Yurakhampiyachak,” a bone-healer “Kakuyhampiyachak,” and a visionary “Rikuyhampiyachak.” All of them are inhabitants of San Lucas community (Table1) (Figure 2).Table 1
Places of collection of medicinal species used by community healer.
Place of collection
Community healer
Visionary
Herbalist
Midwife
Bone-healer
Acacana
x
x
x
Pichic
x
x
x
Ingapirca
x
Inguera
x
Aguarongo
x
Plan de Duco
xFigure 2
Community healers from San Lucas Parish: (a) midwife “Wachakhampiyachak” during an interview with one of the coauthors; (b) herbalist “Yurakhampiyachak”; (c) visionary “Rikuhampiyachak”; and (d) bone-healer “Kakuyhampiyachak.”
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)In the Saraguro community, the midwifes (locally known as “parteras” or wachak in Kichwa) watch over the health of women in labor (“parturienta” in Spanish), prior, during, and after the child’s birth, as well as during the first years of the newborn’s life. They are mainly recognized for using medicinal plants normally grown in her own orchard, which facilitates their work. The herbalists (locally known as “hierbateros”) treat diseases with symptomatology of organic type. These include headache, stomach ache, articulation pain, fever, and/or allergies. The “hierbateros” mainly use medicinal resources collected in high-elevation mountainous areas. As such, differently from the “parteras,” they use larger amounts of herbal wild species during their practices. The bone-healers (locally known as “sobador”) is an empirical traumatologist who uses medicinal plants and the fat of different animals to treat the rupture of bones, sprains, and dislocations. The “visionario” (locally known as “Yachak”) are specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of supernatural nature (e.g., evil eye, fright (or “susto” in Spanish)), but also the aforementioned diseases of organic nature. They are particularly recognized for their expertise in the preparation of psychoactive potions using hallucinogen natural plants and depending of the Yachak expertise and knowledge the use of additional nonhallucinogen plants that act as psychoactive additives. For example, on the use of wamingas and trencillas (Huperzia spp.) for the preparation of the hallucinogenic cactus San Pedro(Echinopsis pachanoi) [11]. Although the practices of these community healers are highly trusted and recognized as effective within the Saraguro community, when they detect serious conditions in the health of a patient, they immediately transfer the patient to a health center or hospital.The informants were contacted through authorized representatives of the Department of Indigenous Health (Departamento de Salud Indígena) of the Loja City Health Direction. The informants were between 60 and 80 years old, with at least 25 years of experience in the use of medicinal plant species. The consent of each of the interviewed Saraguro healers was obtained before starting the study and reporting the results. Their knowledge of traditional medicine was inherited from ancestors and close relatives. The information collected during the interviews with the healers was related to the different uses, application forms, preparation, method/s of collection, parts, and spread of the different plants used by each of them as medicinal resources.In addition, the medicinal plants species used by each of the healers within the San Lucas Parish were collected. The species were classified according to the Red Book of endemic plants of Ecuador [21] and the Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Ecuador [25]. After their classification, the collected specimens were deposited in the herbarium of the Plant of Natural Products (Planta de Productos Naturales) of the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja for future studies. The qualitative evaluation and quantitative information collected of all species were tabulated and analyzed with their vernacular names, occurrence, growing places, therapeutically applications, parts used, plants habit development, and forms of preparation as described by each informant. The scientific nomenclature was recorded according to the Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Ecuador [25]. This research was conducted under permission of the Ministerio del Ambiente del Ecuador (MAE-N°001-IC-FLO-DBAP-VS-DRLZCH-MA). Additionally, voucher specimens were prepared and deposited in Herbarium of the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja. Date of plant species, vernacular name, scientific name and family, medicinal use, parts used and modality of preparation, form of administration, and the species used for each “Hampi Yachak” are reported in Tables 4 to 7.


## 3. Results and Discussion

In this ethnobotanical survey, we identified 183 plants used by the community healers “Hampi yachakkuna” of the Saraguro ethnic in the San Lucas Parish. These were grouped into: 68 families, 129 genera, and 179 species. The most representative families were Asteraceae (30 species); Lamiaceae (14 species), Arecaceae (9 species), Solanaceae and Geraniaceae (8 species each), Amaryllidaceae and Brassicaceae (7 species each), and Piperaceae, Lycopodiaceae, and Ericaceae (6 species each). In relation to the treated diseases we found that 47 species are used for mythological treatments, 24 species for nervous system treatments, 13 species for cold treatments, 12 species for infection treatments, 9 species for general malaise treatments, and 8 species for inflammatory treatments of the liver and kidneys. These results are corroborated by the studies of [26–28]. As reported by [3, 5], as a result of their ancient Andean world view, supernatural and mythological diseases are the most commonly treated conditions by the Saraguro healers.The type of species used by the healers, with exception of the midwifes (“Wachakhampiyachak”) who use a large amount of self-cultivated species, are wild species (57.4%). These species are generally collected at high-elevation in the highlands surrounding the parish. About the vegetative organ of the plants used, we found that the highest proportion corresponds to the use of the whole plant (30.1%), followed by the branches (21.9%), flowers (18.6%), leaves (16.4%), bark (2.2%), seeds (1.1%), and tubers (0.6%). These results contrast with those documented by [29] in the San Lucas Parish, who reported that the most commonly used part of the plants are the leaves. With regard to the preparation of the medicinal treatment products, crushing of the plants or their parts was determined as the most commonly applied method to process the rough plant tissues (28.4%), because it allows for a more effective treatment of the diseases according to the key informants. This method is followed by boiling the plant tissues in water (27.9%), infusions (25.7%), and their direct use (18%) as has been previously reported by [28].The interviewees did not know the form of reproduction of the majority of the species documented in the study (55.2%). From the ones they knew, 27.3% have an asexual reproduction and 17.5% have a sexual reproduction (Table2). Only 29% of the total number of the registered species (53 species) have not been previously reported in scientific investigations of phytochemical character and their pharmacological activity. In contrast, 71% (130 species) have registered studies of pharmacological and phytochemical nature. Regarding the administration and/or application of medicinal preparations, five procedures were identified: oral administration (110 species), topical administration (45 species), administration during water baths (17 species), administration during rituals (locally known as “limpias”) (9 species), and administration during steam baths (2 species).Table 2
Knowledge on the propagation of species.
Propagation
Number of species
Percent (%)
Unknown
101
55.19
Sexual
32
17.49
Asexual
50
27.32
Total
183
100.00Of the total screened plants, 55.2% are native, 37.2% are introduced, and 7.7% are endemic. Similar results have been reported in the paste [20, 30]. From the 13 endemic species reported (Table 3), 2 species are used by the midwife, 3 species by the herbalist, 6 species by the visionary, and 2 species by the bone-healer. From the total number of species used by the healers, 96 are used by the visionary, 69 by the herbalist, 52 by the midwife, and 12 by the bones healer (Figure 3). It is important to mention that some of the species are used by more than one Yachak.Table 3
Endemic species reported.
Common name
Scientific name
Category
Pena de cerro
Bejaria subsessilisBenth.
Vulnerable
Suelda pequeña
Dendrophthora fastigiataKuijt.
In danger
Chuquir agua
Diplostephium oblanceolatumS. F. Blake
Almost threated
Sacha pena
Fuchsia hypoleucaI. M. Johnst.
In danger
Wuaminga verde pequeño
Huperzia austroecuadoricaB. Øllg.
Vulnerable
Shallshón
Lepechinia paniculata(Kunth)
Vulnerable
Pena rojo de monte
Siphocampylus scandens(Kunth). G. Don
Least preoccupation
Pegac chilca
Ageratina dendroides(Spreng) R.
Vulnerable
Sarcillo sacha
Brachyotum scandens(Bonpl.) Triana.
Least preoccupation
Monte de baño
Diplostephium juniperinumCuatrec
In danger
Suelda grande
Phoradendron parietarioidesTrel.
Not evaluated
Sacha algodón
Achyrocline halliiHieron.
Vulnerable
Sp flor morado
Salvia leucocephalaKunth
VulnerableTable 4
Ethnopharmacological reports of medicinal species used by herb man “Yurakhampiyachak.”
Number
Scientific name
Herbarium voucher
Medicinal use
Preparation
Used part
Administration
1
Cyclanthera pedata (L.) Schrad.  Cucurbitaceae
PPN-cu-004
Earache
Heat
Fruit
Topic
2
Allium sativum L. Liliaceae
PPN-li-001
Cough
Crushed
Garlic
Oral
3
Medicago sativa L. Fabaceae
PPN-fa-017
Circulatory problems in the blood system, particularly loss of sensation in the body extremities (e.g., hands, feet, and/or toes)
Liquefied
Leaves
Oral
4
Phytolacca americana L.  Phytolaccaceae
PPN-ph-003
Dandruff
Crushed
Fruit
Topic
5
Nasturtium officinale R. Br.  Brassicaceae
PPN-br-002
Malaise of the body and headache
Crushed
Whole
Oral
6
Nasturtium officinale R. Br.   Brassicaceae
PPN-br-002
Pneumonia
Crushed
Leaves
Oral
7
Ageratum conyzoides L.  Asteraceae
PPN-as-037
Gangrene and infection
Crushed
Whole plant
Oral
8
Prunus serotina Ehrh.  Rosaceae
PPN-ro-010
Postpartum bath and bone pain.
Cooked
Leaves
Bath
9
Cedrela montana Moritz ex Turcz.  Meliaceae
PPN-ml-004
Postpartum bath and bone pain.
Cooked
Leaves
Bath
10
Aloysia triphylla (L’Hér.) Britton,  Verbenaceae
PPN-ve-002
Colds and colic
Infusion
Leaves
Oral
11
Lepidium sp.  Brassicaceae
PPN-br-008
Fever or cold caused by cold air or strong winds (locally known as “mal aire”, i.e., “bad air” in Spanish)
Crushed
Whole plant
Oral
12
Oxalis peduncularis Kunth.   Oxalidaceae
PPN-ox-002
Infection of the throat
Crushed
Whole plant
Topic:
13
Oxalis spiralis Ruiz & Pav.  Oxalidaceae
PPN-ox-003
Infection of the throat
Crushed
Whole
Topic
14
Dianthus caryophyllus Caryophyllaceae
PPN-cd-001
Stomach pain
Infusion
Flowers
Oral
15
Brassica oleracea L.  Brassicaceae
PPN-br-007
Inflammation of the liver and kidneys
Crushed
Stems
Oral
16
Equisetum bogotense  Equisetaceae
PPN-eq-001
Inflammation of the liver
Cooked
Whole plant
Oral
17
Oreocallis grandiflora (Lam.) R. Br.  Proteaceae
PPN-ti-001
Inflammation of the liver and kidneys
Cooked
Flowers
Oral
18
Coriandrum sativum L.  Apiaceae
PPN-ap-010
Menstrual related abdominal pain
Infusion
Whole plant
Oral
19
Tibouchina laxa (Desr.) Cogn.  Melastomataceae
PPN-me-003
Infection of the eyes in guinea pig (has not been applied in humans)
Crushed
Flowers
Ocular application
20
Iresine herbstii Hook.  Amaranthaceae
PPN-am-001
Infection intestinal, injuries, liver and kidney
Crushed
Stems
Oral
21
Epidendrum cochlidium Lindl.  Orchidaceae
PPN-or-006
Nerves
Infusion
Flowers
Oral
22
Passiflora ligularis Juss.  Passifloraceae
PPN-pa-001
Diarrhea in children of 1 to 6 months of age
Warmed
Leaves
Topic
23
Rumex tolimensis Wedd.  Polygonaceae
PPN-pl-005
Growing hair and dandruff control
Crushed
Stems
Topic (wash hair)
24
Myrcianthes rhopaloides (Kunth).  Myrtaceae
PPN-my-001
Cold
Artisan
Stems
It is used in agriculture
25
Paepalanthus ensifolius Mart.   Eriocaulaceae
PPN-el-002
Nerves
Water stored
Leaves
Oral
26
Sigesbeckia mandoni Schult.  Asteraceae
PPN-as-051
Diarrhea in children of 1 to 6 months of age
Wormed
Leaves
Topic
27
Macleania rupestris (Kunth) A. C.  Ericaceae
PPN-er-005
Reduces diarrhea and general malaise
Juice or food directly
Fruit
Oral
28
Drimys granadensis L. f.  Winteraceae
PPN-wn-001
Sore teeth
Crushed
Bark of the plant
Topic
29
Zea mays L.  Poaceae
PPN-po-012
Reduces diarrhea and general malaise
Infusion
Hair of Z. mays dry
Oral
30
Tropaeolum tuberosum Ruiz & Pav.  Tropaeolaceae
PPN-tr-001
Prostate
Cooked
Tubers
Oral:
31
Salvia scutellarioides K.  Lamiaceae
PPN-la-014
Infection of wounds
Cooked
Leaves
Wash the affected site
32
Mentha spicata Lamiaceae
PPN-la-027
Colic stomach and cold
Cooked
Leaves
Oral
33
Myrica pubescens Humb. & Bonpl.  Myricaceae
PPN-mr-001
Fever or cold caused by cold air or strong winds (locally known as “mal aire”, i.e., “bad air” in Spanish)
It is used across clean.
Leaves
Topical and oral
34
Clematis haenkeana C. Pres.  Ranunculaceae
PPN-ra-003
Sore teeth
Crushed
Buds
Topic
35
Rubus urticifolius Poir.  Rosaceae
PPN-ro-005
Gangrene
Crushed
Buds and/flowers
Oral
36
Gaultheria erecta Vent.  Eriaceae
PPN-er-008
Physical exhaustion
Eats
Fruit
Oral
37
Bidens andicola Kunth.  Asteraceae
PPN-as-005
Diminish fall back into illness after recovery (locally known as “recaída”)
Crushed
Whole plant
Oral
38
Juglans neotropica Diles.  Juglandaceae
PPN-ju-001
Postpartum bath
Cooked
Leaves
Bath
39
Chenopodium ambrosioides L.  Chenopodiaceae
PPN-ch-001
Gallbladder stones
Cooked
Whole plant
Oral
40
Viola dombeyana DC.  Violaceae
PPN-vi-004
Nerves
Infusion
Flowers
Oral
41
Fuchsia hybrida hort. ex Siebert & Voss.  Onagraceae
PPN-on-005
Nerves
Infusion
Flowers
Oral
42
Viola arguta Willd. ex Roem. & Schult.Violaceae
PPN-vi-002
Nerves
Infusion
Flowers
Oral
43
Siphocampylus scandens (Kunth) G.  Campanulaceae
PPN-cp-001
Nerves
Infusion
Flowers
Oral
44
Petroselinum crispum (Mill.)  Apiaceae
PPN-ap-003
Nerves
Crushed
Whole plant
Oral
45
Disterigma alaternoides (Kunth) Ericaceae
PPN-er-006
Physical exhaustion
Eats
Fruit
Oral
46
Poterium sanguisorba L.  Rosaceae
PPN-ro-008
Nerves
Crushed
Whole plant
Oral
47
Clinopodium sp.  Lamiaceae
PPN-la-024
Menstrual related abdominal pain and cold
Infusion
Whole plant
Oral
48
Myrteola phylicoides (Benth.)  Myrtaceae
PPN-my-006
Fever or cold caused by cold air or strong winds (locally known as “mal aire”, i.e., “bad air” in Spanish)
It is used directly
Leaves
Topic
49
Clinopodium taxifolium (Kunth)  Lamiaceae
PPN-la-002
Fever or cold caused by cold air or strong winds (locally known as “mal aire”, i.e. “bad air” in Spanish)
It is used directly
Leaves
Topic
50
Achyrocline hallii Hieron.  Asteraceae
PPN-as-058
Injuries
Place in the affected site
Leaves
Topic
51
Fuchsia hypoleuca I. M. Johnst.  Onagraceae
PPN-on-009
Nerves
Infusion
Flowers
Oral
52
Cleome longifolia C. Pres.  Capparaceae
PPN-ck-001
Rheumatism
Crushed
Leaves
Topic
53
Cestrum sendtnerianum Mart. Solanaceae
PPN-so-003
Fever, headache and relapse
Infusion
Leaves
Oral
54
Cestrum sp.  Solanaceae
PPN-so-004
Fever, headache and relapse
Infusion
Leaves
Oral
55
Bidens pilosa L.  Asteraceae
PPN-as-002
Diminish fall back into illness after recovery (locally known as “recaída”)
Crushed
Whole plant
Oral
56
Pontederia sp.  Pontederiaceae
PPN-pk-001
Sore teeth
Chew
Leaves
Topic
57
Macrocarpaea lenaeJ. R. Grant Gentianaceae
PPN-gn-003
Fever or cold caused by cold air or strong winds (locally known as “mal aire”, i.e., “bad air” in Spanish)
Clean
Leaves
Topic
58
Piper ecuadorense Sodiro.  Piperaceae
PPN-pi-007
Fever or cold caused by cold air or strong winds (locally known as “mal aire”, i.e. “bad air” in Spanish)
Clean.
Leaves
Topic
59
Cyphomandra betacea (Cav.)  Solanaceae
PPN-so-014
Infection of the throat
Cooked
Fruit
Oral
60
Carica pubescens Lenné & C. Koch.  Caricaceae
PPN-cc-003
Nerves and diarrhea
Cooked
Fruit
Oral
61
Melissa officinalis L.  Lamiaceae
PPN-la-004
Nerves
Crushed
Whole plant
Oral
62
Physalis peruviana L.  Solanaceae
PPN-so-013
Cholesterol
Juices
Fruit
Oral
63
Gaiadendron punctatum (Ruiz & Pav.)  Loranthaceae
PPN-lo-001
Strong cough
Infusion
Flowers
Oral
64
Otholobium mexicanum (L. f.) J. W.  Fabaceae
PPN-fa-005
Diarrhea
Infusion or cooking
Flowers
Oral
65
Cavendishia bracteata (Ruiz & Pav.)  Ericaceae
PPN-er-003
Feed
Eats
Fruit
Oral
66
Arracacia xanthorrhiza Bancr.  Apiaceae
PPN-ap-001
Elimination of the placenta in cattle
Cooked
Leaves
Oral
67
Cucurbita maxima Dúchense.  Cucurbitaceae
PPN-cu-005
Diarrhea in children of 1 to 6 months of age
Warmed in the hands palms
Leaves
Topic
∗ Plants used in mythological cases.Table 5
Ethnopharmacological report of medicinal plants used by visionary “Rikuyhampiyachak.”
Number
Scientific name
Herbarium voucher
Medicinal use
Preparation
Used part
Administration
1
Cyclanthera pedata (L.) Schrad.  Cucurbitaceae
PPN-cu-004
Diminish fall back into illness after recovery (locally known as “recaída”)
Crushed
Flowers
Oral
2
Scirpus sp.  Cyperaceae
PPN-cy-004
Child restless and confused, and postpartum bath
Cooked
Whole plant
Bath
3
Alnus acuminata Kunth.  Betulaceae
PPN-be-001
Headache
Heated
Leaves
Topic
4
Amaranthus cruentus L.  Amaranthaceae
PPN-am-002
Menstrual related abdominal pain
Cooked
Leaves
Oral
5
Nasturtium officinale R. Br.  Brassicaceae
PPN-br-002
Headache
Crushed
Whole plant
Oral
6
Borago officinalisL.  Boraginaceae
PPN-bo-001
Diminish fall back into illness after recovery (locally known as “recaída”) and cough
Infusion
Flowers
Oral
7
Triumfetta althaeoides Lam.   Tiliaceae
PPN-ti-001
Inflammation of the liver and kidneys
Infusion
Leaves
Oral
8
Salvia scutellarioides Kunth.  Lamiaceae
PPN-la-014
Water of air∗
Crushed
Flowers
Oral
9
Ageratum conyzoides L.  Asteraceae
PPN-as-031
Gangrene and infection
Crushed
Whole plant
Oral
10
Centaurium erythraea Rafn.   Gentianaceae
PPN-gn-001
Malaise of the body
Infusion
Flowers
Oral
11
Sonchus oleraceus L.  Asteraceae
PPN-as-037
Malaise of the body
Infusion
Whole plant
Oral
12
Lepidium sp.  Brassicaceae
PPN-br-008
Diminish fall back into illness after recovery (locally known as “recaída”)
Crushed
Whole plant
Oral
13
Cotula australis (Sieber ex Spreng.) Hook. f.  Asteraceae
PPN-as-054
Diminish fall back into illness after recovery (locally known as “recaída”)
Crushed
Whole plant
Oral
14
Lepidium chichicara Desv.  Brassicaceae
PPN-br-004
Diminish fall back into illness after recovery (locally known as “recaída”)
Crushed
Whole plant
Oral
15
Tagetes terniflora Kunth, Nov.  Asteraceae
PPN-as-006
Fever or cold caused by cold air or strong winds (locally known as “mal aire”, i.e., “bad air” in Spanish)
It is used directly
Leaves
Topic
16
Urtica urens L.  Urticaceae
PPN-ur-004
Intestinal Infection
Infusion
Whole plant
Oral
17
Oxalis peduncularis Kunth.  Oxalidaceae
PPN-ox-002
Infection of the throat
Crushed
Whole plant
Topic
18
Diplostephium oblanceolatum S. F. Blake  Asteraceae
PPN-as-045
Malaise of the body
Cooked
Leaves
Oral
19
Cupressus lusitanica Mill.  Cupressaceae
PPN-cp-001
Control baldness
Macerate
Fruit
Topic
20
Dianthus caryophyllus   Caryophyllaceae
PPN-cd-001
Stomach pain
Infusion
Flowers
Oral
21
Brassica oleracea L.  Brassicaceae
PPN-br-007
Infection liver and kidneys
Crushed
Stems
Oral
22
Equisetum bogotense Kunth.  Equisetaceae
PPN-eq-001
Inflammation of the liver
Cooked
Whole plant
Oral
23
Peperomia peltigera C. DC.  Piperaceae
PPN-pi-010
Headache
Warm Fire
Fruit
Inhalation
24
Peperomia galioides Kunth.  Piperaceae
PPN-pi-004
Water of air∗
Crushed
Whole plant
Oral
25
Baccharis oblongifolia (Ruiz & Pav.) Pers.  Asteraceae
PPN-as-047
Child restless and confused, postpartum bath
Cooked
Branches
Bath
26
Oreocallis grandiflora (Lam.) R. Br.  Proteaceae
PPN-pr-001
Inflammation of the liver
Infusion
Flowers
Oral
27
Niphogeton dissecta (Benth.) J. F. Macbr Apiaceae
PPN-ap-010
Cold
Cooked
Whole plant
Oral
28
Apium leptophyllumL.   Apiaceae
PPN-ap-006
Cold
Cooked
Whole plant
Oral
29
Adiantum poiretii Wikstr.   Pteriadaceae
PPN-pt-001
Cold
Cooked
Whole plant
Oral
30
Iresine herbstii Hook.  Amaranthaceae
PPN-am-001
Infection: intestinal, liver and kidneys
Cooked
Whole plant
Oral
31
Eucalyptus globulus Labill.  Myrtaceae
PPN-my-007
Fever or cold caused by cold air or strong winds (locally known as “mal aire”, i.e., “bad air” in Spanish)
Directly
Branches
Topic
32
Epidendrum fimbriatum Kunth.  Orchidaceae
PPN-or-001
For internal tumors
Crushed
Flowers
Oral
33
Rumex tolimensis Wedd.  Polygonaceae
PPN-pl-005
Dandruff
Crushed
Leaves
Topic
34
Vicia faba L.   Fabaceae
PPN-fa-016
Headache
Boiled in the hands palms
Leaves
Topic
35
Halenia weddelliana Gilg.  Gentianaceae
PPN-gn-002
It helps maintain milk production in cattle
Cooked
Whole plant
Topic
36
Marchantia polymorphaL.  Amaranthaceae
PPN-am-008
Malaise of the body
Crushed
Whole plant
Oral
37
Diplostephium sp.   Asteraceae
PPN-as-056
To bad energy∗
Cooked
Branches
Bath
38
Tagetes erecta L.  Asteraceae
PPN-as-019
Water of air∗
Crushed
Flowers
Oral
39
Myrica parvifolia Benth.  Myricaceae
PPN-mr-002
Fever or cold caused by cold air or strong winds (locally known as “mal aire”, i.e., “bad air” in Spanish)
Directly
Branches
Topic
40
Gamochaeta americana (Mill.) Wedd.  Asteraceae
PPN-as-030
cold
Cooked
Whole plant
Oral
41
Linum usitatissimum L.  Linaceae
PPN-li-001
Inflammation of liver and kidneys
Cooked
Fruits
Oral
42
Alcea rosea L.  Malvaceae
PPN-ma-001
Inflammation of liver and kidneys
Infusion
Flowers
Oral
43
Matricaria chamomilla L.  Asteraceae
PPN-as-016
Gastritis
Boiled
Whole plant
Oral
44
Ambrosia artemisioidesMill.  Asteraceae
PPN-as-022
Fever or cold caused by cold air or strong winds (locally known as “mal aire”, i.e. “bad air” in Spanish)
Directly
Branches
Topic
45
Piper aduncum L.  Piperaceae
PPN-pi-016
Infection of external wound
Cooked the leaves
Topic
46
Diplostephium juniperinum Cuatrec.  Asteraceae
PPN-as-057
Child restless and confused, and postpartum bath
Cooked
Branches
Bath
47
Eriocaulon microcephalum Kunth,  Erioculaceae
PPN-el-001
To luck good∗
Macerate
Whole plant
Inhalation
48
Rubus urticifolius Poir.  Rosaceae
PPN-ro-005
Gangrene
Crushed
Flowers
Oral
49
Bidens andicola Kunth.   Asteraceae
PPN-as-005
Diminish fall back into illness after recovery (locally known as “recaída”)
Crushed
Whole plant
Oral
50
Pedicularis incurva Benth.  Scrophulariaceae
PPN-sc-004
Cold
Macerate
Branches
Oral
51
Lepidium chichicara Desv.  Brassicaceae
PPN-br-004
Diminish fall back into illness after recovery (locally known as “recaída”)
Crushed
Whole plant
Oral
52
Bejaria aestuans Mutis ex L.  Ericaceae
PPN-er-001
Menstrual related abdominal pain
Cooked
Flowers
Oral
53
Bejaria subsessilis Benth.   Ericaceae
PPN-er-007
Nerves
Cooked
Flowers
Oral
54
Fuchsia hybrida hort. ex Siebert & Voss.  Onagraceae
PPN-on-005
Nerves
Cooked
Flowers
Oral
55
Poterium sanguisorba L.   Rosaceae
PPN-ro-008
Nerves
Crushed
Whole plant
Oral
56
Pinus radiata D.   Pinaceae
PPN-pc-001
Asthma
Cooked
Fruit
Oral
57
Clinopodium sp.  Lamiaceae
PPN-la-024
Cold
Cooked
Whole plant
Oral
58
Minthostachys mollis (Kunth) Grises.  Lamiaceae
PPN-la-009
Fever or cold caused by cold air or strong winds (locally known as “mal aire”, i.e., “bad air” in Spanish)
Directly
Branches
Topic
59
Chrysanthemum sp.  Asteraceae
PPN-as-055
Fever or cold caused by cold air or strong winds (locally known as “mal aire”, i.e. “bad air” in Spanish)
Crushed
Leaves
Oral
60
Ceroxylon parvifrons (Engel) H. Wendl.  Aricaceae
PPN-ak-001
The aerial part is used as incense∗
Burns
Leaves
61
Rosmarinus officinalis L.  Lamiaceae
PPN-la-010
Fever or cold caused by cold air or strong winds (locally known as “mal aire”, i.e., “bad air” in Spanish)
Crushed
Branches
Oral
62
Rosa centifolia L.  Rosaceae
PPN-ro-001
Nerves
Crushed
Flowers
Oral
63
Ruta graveolens L.  Rutaceae
PPN-rt-001
Headache, bad air∗
Crushed
Branches
Oral
64
Solanum juglandifolium Dunal, Solan.  Solanaceae
PPN-so-016
Air water∗
Crushed
Flowers
Oral
65
Echinopsis pachanoi (Britton & Rose)  Cactaceae
PPN-cb-001
Sorcery∗
Cooked
Stems
Oral
66
Tanacetum parthenium(L.) Sch. Bip.  Asteraceae
PPN-as-031
Fright in children
Cooked
Whole plant
Oral
67
Brachyotum confertum (Bonpl.) Triana.  Melastomataceae
PPN-me-004
Allergies
Crushed and cook
Branches
Topic
68
Cestrum sendtnerianum C. Martius.  Solanaceae
PPN-so-003
Fever, headache and relapse
Infusion
Leaves and flowers
Oral
69
Baccharis obtusifolia Kunth.  Asteraceae
PPN-as-014
Fever or cold caused by cold air or strong winds (locally known as “mal aire”, i.e., “bad air” in Spanish)
Directly
Branches
Topic
70
Baccharissp.  Asteraceae
PPN-as-015
Fever or cold caused by cold air or strong winds (locally known as “mal aire”, i.e., “bad air” in Spanish)
Directly
Branches
Topic
71
Lepechinia paniculata (Kunth).  Lamiaceae
PPN-la-011
Fever or cold caused by cold air or strong winds (locally known as “mal aire”, i.e., “bad air” in Spanish)
Directly
Branches
Topic
72
Bidens pilosaL.  Asteraceae
PPN-as-002
Diminish fall back into illness after recovery (locally known as “recaída”)
Crushed
Flowers
Oral
73
Tagetes erecta L.  Asteraceae
PPN-as-019
Air water∗
Crushed
Flowers
Oral
74
Baccharis genistelloides (Lam.) Pers.  Asteraceae
PPN-as-013
Diabetes and cholesterol
Cooked
Branches
Oral
75
Piper barbatum Kunth.   Piperaceae
PPN-pi-005
Fever or cold caused by cold air or strong winds (locally known as “mal aire”, i.e. “bad air” in Spanish)
Directly
Branches
Topic
76
Baccharis genistelloides (Lam.) Pers.  Asteraceae
PPN-as-013
Diabetes and cholesterol
Cooked
Branches
Oral
77
Iresine herbstii Hook.  Amaranthaceae
PPN-am-001
Flu and bad air∗
Cooked
Whole plant
Oral
78
Clinopodium nubigenum (Kunth).  Lamiaceae
PPN-la-018
Cold
Infusion
Whole plant
Oral
79
Melissa officinalis L.  Lamiaceae
PPN-la-004
Nerves
Crushed
Branches
Oral
80
Huperzia sp.  Lycopodiaceae
PPN-lc-007
Child restless and confused, and postpartum bath
Cooked
Branches
Bath
81
Huperzia tetragona (Hook. & Grev.)  Lycopodiaceae
PPN-lc-004
Sorcery∗
Macerate
Whole plant
Oral
82
Solanum oblongifolium Dunal, Solan.   Solanaceae
PPN-so-014
Fever or cold caused by cold air or strong winds (locally known as “mal aire”, i.e. “bad air” in Spanish)
Directly
Branches
Topic
83
Oritrophium peruvianum (Lam.)  Asteraceae
PPN-as-046
Inflammation of the liver and kidneys
Cooked
Whole plant
Oral
84
Oritrophium peruvianum (Lam.)  Asteraceae
PPN-as-046
Inflammation of the liver and kidneys
Cooked
Whole plant
Oral
85
Oritrophium peruvianum (Lam.)  Asteraceae
PPN-as-046
Inflammation of the liver and kidneys
Cooked
Whole plant
Oral
86
Loricaria thuyoides (Lam.) Sch.  Asteraceae
PPN-as-044
Child restless and confused, bath and good energy∗
Cooked
Branches
Bath
87
Valeriana microphylla Kunth.  Valerianaceae
PPN-va-001
Nerves
Cooked
Roots
Oral
88
Verbena litoralisKunth.  Verbenaceae
PPN-ve-001
Plague and headache
Crushed
Flowers
Oral
89
Huperzia sp.   Lycopodiaceae
PPN-lc-007
Amulet for evil eye and sorcery∗
Macerate
Whole plant
Oral
90
Huperzia sellifolia B. Øllg.  Lycopodiaceae
PPN-lc-002
Amulet for evil eye and sorcery∗
Macerate
Whole plant
Oral
91
Lycopodium weberbaueri (Nessel).  Lycopodiaceae
PPN-lc-005
Amulet for evil eye and sorcery∗
Macerate
Whole plant
Oral
92
Huperzia austroecuadorica B. Øllg.  Lycopodiaceae
PPN-lc-006
Amulet for evil eye and sorcery∗
Macerate
Whole plant
Oral
93
Brugmansia X candida Pers.  Solanaceae
PPN-so-015
Fever or cold caused by cold air or strong winds (locally known as “mal aire”, i.e., “bad air” in Spanish)
Directly
Directly
Topic
94
Daucus carota L.  Apiaceae
PPN-um-001
Gastritis
Juice
Drops
Oral
∗Plants used in mythological cases.Table 6
Ethnopharmacological reports of medicinal species used by a bone healer “Kakuyhampiyachak.”
Number
Scientific name
Herbarium voucher
Medicinal use
Preparation
Used part
Administration
1
Persea americana Mill. Lauraceae
PPN-lu-001
Coups and hematomas
Scraped
Seed
Oral
2
Alnus acuminata Kunth.  Betulaceae
PPN-be-001
Rupture of bones, sprains and dislocations
Crushed
Buds
Topic
3
Urtica urens L.  Urticaceae
PPN-ur-004
Blows
Crushed
Whole plant
Topic
4
Oreocallis grandiflora (Lam.) R. Br.  Proteaceae
PPN-pr-001
Twists and blows
Crushed
Fruit
Topic
5
Solanum americanum Mill.  Solanaceae
PPN-so-007
Blows internal
Cooked
Leaves
Oral
6
Chenopodium album L.  Chenopodiaceae
PPN-ch-002
Blows, dislocation, sprains
Crushed
Branches or buds
Topic
7
Agave americana L.  Amaryllidaceae
PPN-ar-002
Bone fracture and dislocation
Gets small slats
Stems
Topic
8
Cucurbita ficifolia Bouché, Verh.  Amaryllidaceae
PPN-cu-001
Blows
It uses the buds pounded and mixed with natural sweetener (panela)
Whole plant
Topic
9
Phoradendron parietarioides Trel.  Viscaceae
PPN-vs-002
Bone fractures and dislocated
Crushed
Whole plant
Topic
10
Dendrophthora fastigiata Kuijt.  Viscaceae
PPN-vs-001
Bone fractures and dislocated
Crushed
Whole plant
Topic
11
Carica pubescens Lenné & C. Koch.  Caricaceae
PPN-cc-003
Dislocation
Heat
Leaves
Topic
12
Solanum oblongifolium Dunal, Solan.  Solanaceae
PPN-so-014
Dislocation
Heat
Leaves
TopicTable 7
Ethnopharmacological reports of medicinal species used by a midwife “Wachackhampiyachak.”
Number
Scientific name
Herbarium voucher
Medicinal use
Preparation
Used part
Administration
1
Oxalis corniculata L. Oxalidaceae
PPN-ox-001
Scurvy "scorbutic tongue"
To crush
Whole plant
Topic
2
Impatiens sp.  Balsaminaceae
PPN-ba-001
Postpartum relapse
Infusion
Flowers
Oral
3
Impatiens balsamina L.  Balsaminaceae
PPN-ba-001
Postpartum relapse
Infusion
Flowers
Oral
4
Begonia sp.  Begoniaceae
PPN-ba-001
Postpartum relapse
Infusion
Flowers
Oral
5
Impatiens balsamina L.  Balsaminaceae
PPN-ba-001
Postpartum relapse
Infusion
Flowers
Oral
6
Nasturtium officinalis R. Br.  Brassicaceae
PPN-br-002
Malaise of the body and flu
Crushed
Whole plant
Oral
7
Borago officinalis L.Boraginaceae
PPN-bo-001
Postpartum relapse and cough
Infusion
Flowers
Oral
8
Tradescantia zebrina Heynh.  Commelinaceae
PPN-co-004
Postpartum relapse
Crush
Whole plant
Oral
9
Callisia repens (Jacq.) L.  Commelinaceae
PPN-co-001
Postpartum relapse
Crush
Whole plant
Oral
10
Ageratum conyzoides L.  Asteraceae
PPN-as-037
Gangrene and infections after birth
Crushed
Whole plant
Oral
11
Geranium diffusum Kunth.  Geraniaceae
PPN-ge-010
Gangrene and infections after birth
Crushed
Whole plant
Oral
12
Lepidium chichicara Desv.  Brassicaceae
PPN-br-004
Fever or cold caused by cold air or strong winds (locally known as “mal aire”, i.e., “bad air” in Spanish)
Crushed
Whole plant
Oral
13
Dianthus caryophyllus L.  Caryophyllaceae
PPN-cd-001
Stomach ache
Infusion
Flowers
Oral
14
Brassica oleracea L.  Brassicaceae
PPN-br-007
Postpartum infection
Crushed
Stem
Oral
15
Peperomia peltigera C. DC.Piperaceae
PPN-pi-010
Nerves and headache
Infusion
Leaves
Oral
16
Mesembryanthemum elegans L.  Aizoaceae
PPN-az-002
Nerves and headache
Infusion
Leaves
Oral
17
Peperomia Inaequalifolia Ruiz & Pav.Piperaceae
PPN-pi-009
Fright children
Cooked
Leaves
Bath
18
Taraxacum officinale F. H. Wigg.  Asteraceae
PPN-as-020
Gastritis, ulcer and cleanse
Infusion
Whole plant
Oral
19
Iresine herbstii Hook.  Asteraceae
PPN-am-001
Infections of uteri, vagina, liver and kidney
Crushed
Stem and leaves
Oral
20
Pelargonium sp.  Geraniaceae
PPN-ge-008
Cold and nervous during childbirth and postpartum
Infusion
Leaves
Oral
21
Pelargonium graveolens L’Hér.  Geraniaceae
PPN-ge-004
Cold and nervous during childbirth and postpartum
Infusion
Leaves
Oral
22
Pelargonium zonale (L.) L’Hér.  Geraniaceae
PPN-ge-005
Infections, vaginal, before childbirth and postpartum
Crushed
Flowers
Topic
23
Foeniculum vulgare Mill.   Apiaceae
PPN-ap-004
Increase maternal milk, indigestion, colic menstrual
Infusion
Whole plant
Oral
24
Myrica parvifolia Benth.  Myricaceae
PPN-mr-002
Bad air∗, colic stomach, to treat faint during childbirth
Chew
Buds
Oral
25
Linum usitatissimumL.  Linaceae
PPN-li-001
Inflammation of liver and kidney
Cooked
Fruit
Oral
26
Plantago major L.  Plantaginaceae
PPN-pn-001
Inflammation of liver and kidney
Cooked
Whole plant
Oral
27
Anredera ramosa (Moq.) Eliasson.  Basellaceae
PPN-bs-001
Bath the children, fever, headache
Crushed and to scrub in hot water
Whole plant
Bath
28
Lavatera arborea L.  Malvaceae
PPN-ma-009
Inflammation of liver and kidney
Infusion
Flowers
Oral
29
Pelargonium odoratissimumL.  Geraniaceae.
PPN-ge-001
Cold during childbirth
Cooked or infusion
Branches
Oral
30
Mentha pulegium L.  Lamiaceae
PPN-la-015
Colic stomach, indigestion and cold
Infusion
Branches
Oral
31
Mentha piperita subsp.  Lamiaceae
PPN-la-006
Colic stomach, indigestion and cold
Infusion
Branches
Oral
32
Bidens andicola Kunth.  Asteraceae
PPN-as-005
Postpartum relapse
Crushed
Whole plant
Oral
33
Thymus vulgaris L.  Lamiaceae
PPN-la-022
Indigestion
Cooked
Branches
Oral
34
Ageratina dendroides (Spreng) R. M.  Asteraceae
PPN-as-053
Coups and extraction of pus
Put the place affected
Buds
Topic
35
Fuchsia hybrida Hort.Onagraceae
PPN-on-005
Nerves during childbirth and postpartum
Infusion
Flowers
Oral
36
Viola tricolorL. var 1.  Violaceae
PPN-vi-003
Nerves
Infusion
Flowers
Oral
37
Viola tricolor L. var 2.  Violaceae
PPN-vi-003
Nerves
Infusion
Flowers
Oral
38
Clinopodium sp.  Lamiaceae
PPN-la-024
Colic menstrual and allergy
Infusion
Whole plant
Oral/to rub
39
Ruta graveolens L.  Rutaceae
PPN-rt-001
Bath, fain during childbirth
Crushed
Flowers
Oral
40
Tanacetum parthenium(L.) Sch. Bip.  Asteraceae
PPN-as-031
Children fright
Cooked
Whole plant
Bath
41
Cestrum sendtnerianum C. Martius.  Solanaceae
PPN-so-003
Postpartum relapse
Infusion
Flowers
Bath
42
Baccharis obtusifolia Kunth.  Asteraceae
PPN-as-014
Cold during childbirth.
Burn the dry
Leaves
Topic
43
Salvia leucocephala Kunth.  Lamiaceae
PPN-la-025
Postpartum bath
Cooked
Whole plant
Bath
44
Iresine herbstii Hook. var 1.  Amaranthaceae
PPN-am-001
Flu, fever or cold caused by cold air or strong winds (locally known as “mal aire”, i.e., “bad air” in Spanish)
Infusion
Whole plant
Oral
45
Iresine herbstii Hook. var 2.  Amaranthaceae
PPN-am-001
Flu, fever or cold caused by cold air or strong winds (locally known as “mal aire”, i.e., “bad air” in Spanish)
Infusion
Whole plant
Oral
46
Iresine herbstii Hook var 3.  Amaranthaceae
PPN-am-001
Flu, fever or cold caused by cold air or strong winds (locally known as “mal aire”, i.e., “bad air” in Spanish)
Infusion
Whole plant
Oral
47
Melissa officinalis L.  Lamiaceae
PPN-la-004
Nerves
Crushed
Whole plant
Oral
48
Verbena litoralisKunth.  Verbenaceae
PPN-ve-001
Malaise of the body, infection of the throat, and flu
Cooked
Whole plant
Oral
49
Viola odorata L.  Violaceae
PPN-vi-001
Cough
Infusion
Flowers
Oral
∗Plants used in mythological cases.Figure 3
Number of species used by each community healer.In relation to the type of plants used by the healers, the results show that 61.8% correspond to herbs (113 species), 25.7% correspond to shrubs (47 species), 7.1% correspond to trees (13 species), 3.8% correspond to lianas (7 species), and the rest correspond to two parasitic and one aquatic species [31] (Figure 4). From these, the species grown in the “páramo” (tropical alpine grassland ecosystem) belong toHuperzia andLycopodium genera as was previously reported by [32]. Out of the total species registered, two of them (Bejaria resinosa andHuperzia) have been studied in detail, showing a high potential of the Saraguro flora as a source of novel secondary metabolites and biologically active plants extracts as has been previously reported [33–35]. Finally, a summary of the documented plant species used by the different healers that include information of their scientific name, way of preparation, and administration is reported in Tables 4−7.Figure 4
Number of species in relation to their habit.


## 4. Conclusions

In this study we collected, organized, and documented the natural plants used in traditional healing practices of the Saraguro community of the San Lucas Parish in south Ecuador. We achieved this according to the directions of the World Health Organization (OMS), which is one of the prioritized strategic research lines of the National Secretariat for Science and Technology of Ecuador (SENESCYT), that is, to strengthen and enhance the recovery of ancestral knowledge in coexistence with scientific knowledge. We documented the existence of 183 species used in 75 different curative therapies by four key community healers of the Saraguro ethnic group: a midwife, an herbalist, a bone-healer, and a visionary.This research conducted in collaboration with the members of the native Saraguro community constitutes a baseline study to help promote the preservation of this ancient medicinal knowledge by a thorough documentation of the natural resources and processing methods used. Moreover, we hope the results of this study motivate young generations to envision the potential of the use and application of traditional knowledge in medicinal practices. Finally, this scientific research and the results here reported aim at preserving and enhancing, as much as possible, a culture of the practice of natural ancient medicinal science, while preserving the environment, nature, life, culture, and sovereignty of the Saraguro people.



---

*Source: 9343724-2017-07-04.xml*