Ethnobotanical inventory of medicinal plants used in the Bustillo Province of the Potosi Department, Bolivia

Fitoterapia 74 (2003) 407–416

Short Report (ethno)

Ethnobotanical inventory of medicinal plants used in the Bustillo Province of the Potosi Department, Bolivia E.C. Fernandeza, Y.E. Sandib, L. Kokoskaa,* a

Department of Tropical and Subtropical Crops, Institute of Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture, Czech University of Agriculture in Prague, Kamycka 129, Prague 6-Suchdol, Czech Republic b The Travellers Group of Social Education and Health (Kallpa), Llallagiia, Potosi, Bolivia Received 13 December 2002; accepted 27 January 2003

Abstract A survey of medicinal plants used by rural communities in the Bustillo Province of the Potosi Department in Bolivia is reported in this article. Fifty-six plant species belonging to 24 families and 46 different genera were included. Their botanical and vernacular names, plant part used, popular medicinal use, forms of preparation and applications of the herbal remedies are given. 䊚 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. Keywords: Ethnobotany; Ethnopharmacology; Medicinal plants; Bolivia; Potosi Department; Bustillo Province

Study area. The Bustillo Province is situated in the north of the Potosi Department, Bolivia, South America (Fig. 1) and occupies an area of 2235 km2. The town Uncia (latitude 188 269 600 S, longitude 668 379 00 W, altitude 4408 m above sea level) is the administrative centre of the province. Fig. 2 shows a detailed map of the study area. The soils of the region are dry and loosely consolidated clays, sands and gravel; climate is cold and dry with one rainy season from December to February. The *Corresponding author. Tel.: q420-2-2438-2180; fax: q420-2-2092-1363. E-mail address: [email protected] (L. Kokoska). 0367-326X/03/$ - see front matter 䊚 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/S0367-326X(03)00053-4

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Fig. 1. Location of the Bustillo, Potosi Department, Bolivia.

province Bustillo is situated in the agroecology region Altiplano Central, characterized by an average elevation of 3900 m above sea level, annual average temperature 9 8C and annual average rainfall 350 mm. There are few extensive flat spaces; the topography is for the most part precipitous, with many narrow valleys and ravines between high ridges.

Population. Studied community belongs to the Quechua ethnic group. Total population of the studied provinces is approximately 77 500 inhabitants. At present it is estimated that approximately 53 600 Quechua and 46 000 Spanish speakers inhabit these areas.

E.C. Fernandez et al. / Fitoterapia 74 (2003) 407–416

409

Fig. 2. Study area map. Attention to the arrows clarifying orientation!

The traditional agricultural systems focused on growing various species of tuber crops, cereals and pastoral (cattle, sheep, alpacas, llamas) activities characterise the typical way of life of the studied population. The household is the basic economic unit, and at times of intensive work people rely on extended kinship networks.

Aim of study. The main scope of the present study is to review the activity of some Bolivian medicinal plants used in the herbal pharmacopoeia in Bustillo Province of the Potosi Department.

Previous knowledge on local folk medicine. Although many studies concerning the use of medicinal plants in several parts of Bolivia have been carried out w1–3x the ethnobotany of the Bustillo Province of the Potosi Department is poorly known.

Methodology. The survey was conducted during the periods January–June 2002. The information was collected from 56 persons (38 women, 18 men) whose age

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ranged from 40 to 80 years. Most of the interviewees (40) were more than 50 years old, and belong mainly to families which still have a strong connection with traditional agricultural activities. The data were collected through direct interviews, following the classical indications in ethnopharmacobotanical research proposed by Waller w4x. The interviews were registered on field notebooks and tape-recorded. The plant material was collected by the authors and identified following ‘Bolivian Flora of Medicinal Plants’ w5x. Voucher specimens were deposited in the herbarium of the Institute of Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture of the Czech University of Agriculture in Prague.

Results. The results of the survey are presented in Table 1, in which the plants are arranged in alphabetical synopsis. For each species, the following ethnobotanical and pharmacognostic elements are provided: botanical name; voucher specimen number; local names; parts used; preparations; ailments treated; total number of reports; and relevant percentage of citations.

Conclusions. In our analysis, we have compared the folk phytotherapeutical data collected in our study with data present in the available ethnobotanical literature on the northern part of the Potosi Department in Bolivia w5x. The uncommon ethnopharmacological uses of Azorella diapensioides, Bystropogon glabrescens, Caiophora canarinoides, Cortaderia rudiuscula, Opuntia albispinosa, Opuntia minor, Plantago hirtella, Rumex romassa, Sessea discolor and Viguiera mandonii in the Bustillo Province are reported in Table 1. In our survey, we report direct external application of the aerial part of P. hirtella for treatment of wounds, and internal application of infusion for treatment of respiratory catarrh and cough. The leaves of some other species of the genus Plantago L., (e.g. P. major L.) have been used as a wound-healing remedy for centuries in almost all parts of the world and in the treatment of a number of diseases apart from wound healing. These include diseases related to the skin, respiratory organs, digestive organs, reproduction, circulation, against cancer, for pain relief and against infections w6x. Despite many published reports dealing with the bioactivity of isolated compounds from other species of this genus, phytochemical and phytopharmacological studies on P. hirtella are completely lacking and investigations in this direction are greatly needed. O. ficus-indica extracts have been studied in recent phytopharmacological studies and antioxidant w7x, anti-inflammatory w8x and wound-healing w9x activities have been demonstrated. In this study, we have reported ethnopharmacological use of fruits of O. minor for treatment of pneumonia (eaten raw) and fruits of O. albispinosa for treatment of pharyngitis, tonsillitis ( juice) and fever (decoction). The phytochemistry of both of these species is poorly known and identifying new bioactive compounds deserves further study.

Table 1 Medicinal plants used in the Bustillo Province of Potosi region, Bolivia Botanical name and voucher specimen

Local names

Adesmia miraflorensis Remy (Cus 128) Artemisia absinthium L. (Cus 129)

Leguminosae Compositae

Artemisia vulgaris L. (Cus 130)

Compositae

˜ Anawayu Kastill ruda, ajinku, ajenjo Artemisa, mark9u

Azorella diapensioides Gray (San 131)

Umbelliferae

Yareta, timichi

Parts used

Aerial part Aerial part Aerial part Root Aerial part

Leaf Baccharis dracunculifolia DC. (Cus 132) Baccharis floribunda H. B. & K. (Cus 135)

Compositae Compositae

Jatun t9ula Waca ch9illka

Baccharis punctulata DC. (San 136)

Compositae

Ch9illka saru saru

Bidens pilosa L. (Cus 137)

Compositae

Jatun muni

Leaf Aerial part Leaf Aerial part

Bystropogon glabrescens Benth. (Cus 166)

Labiatae

Tusuwaya

Aerial part

Bystropogon mollis H.B. & K. (Cus 167) Caiophora canarinoides Urban et Gilg (Cus 139)

Labiatae Loasaceae

˜ Muna China itapallo

Aerial part Aerial part

Cestrum foetidissimum Jacq. (San 140)

Solanaceae

Cortaderia rudiuscula Stapt (San 141)

Gramineae

Hediondilla, asnak llanta Siwinka

Fruit Aerial part

Root Leaf

Cholelithiasis, cystitis Enteralgia, hyperacid stomach Rheumatism Epilepsy Gonorrhoea Bone fractures, pneumonia, headache Female infertility, menstrual disorders Hepatitis, nephritis Luxations, contusions, rheumatism Metritis Asthma Luxations, contusions Laryngitis, gingivitis, stoma ulcers, gallstone colic, intestinal catarrh, enuresis Tremor, palpitation Rheumatism Rheumatism Diarrhoea, menstrual disorders, varices Nephrolithiasis Fever Contusions, oedemas Fever Parturition

Preparations (administration)

Citations (n)

(%)

3 11

5.36 19.64

Juice (E) Decoction (I) Infusion (I) Cataplasm

4 2 2 3

7.14 3.57 3.57 5.36

Decoction (I)

2

3.57

Infusion (I) Cataplasm

5 3

8.93 5.36

Infusion (I) Infusion (I) Cataplasm Decoction (I)

1 6 4 9

1.79 10.71 7.14 16.07

Infusion (I) Cataplasm Decoction (I) Infusion (I)

3 3 3 3

5.36 5.36 5.36 5.36

Infusion (I) Infusion (I) Decoction (I) Bath Infusion (I)

2 2 1 3 5

3.57 3.57 1.79 5.36 8.93

Infusion (I) Infusion (I)

411

Aerial part Leaf

Usesyailments treated

E.C. Fernandez et al. / Fitoterapia 74 (2003) 407–416

Family

412

Table 1 (Continued) Botanical name and voucher specimen

Family

Local names

Parts used

Compositae

Alcachofa

Leaf

Chenopodium ambrosioides L. (Cus 148)

Chenopodiaceae

Payco, payqu payqu, p9aki p9aki

Aerial part

Dianthus caryophyllus L. (Cus 149)

Caryophyllaceae

Clavel, apu qantu

Root Flower

Dodonaea viscosa Jacq. (San 150)

Sapindaceae

Ch9akatiya

Leaf

Ephedra americana Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd. (Cus 151)

Gnetaceae

Sanu sanu

Aerial part

Erodium cicutarium L’Herit. ex Ait. (San 152) Erodium moschatum L’Herit. ex Ait. (Cus 153)

Geraniaceae

Sulta sulta, agujilla Alfilerillo

Aerial part

Geraniaceae

Aerial part

Escallonia pendula Pers. (Cus 154)

Saxigragaceae

Chachacuma, chikunia

Aerial part

Franseria artemisioides Willd. (San 160)

Compositae

Altamisa

Aerial part

Malva parviflora L. (San 161)

Malvaceae

Jatun malva

Root Aerial part

Matricaria recutita L. (Cus 162)

Compositae

Manzanilla

Aerial part

Medicago sativa L. (Cus 163)

Leguminosae

Alfalfa, alp9achu

Aerial part

Gallstone colic, hepatocirrhosis Intestinal catarrh, gallstone colic Asthma, dysmenorrea Cataract Epilepsy, asthma Bone fractures, contusions Nerve pain Asthma Influenza, common cold Syphilis Hepatitis, nephritis Bleeding from wounds Hepatitis, nephritis Fever Tonsillitis Rheumatism, asthma, cough Bone fractures Spasms Sciatica, contusions Nephrolithiasis Epilepsy Conjunctivitis Intestinal catarrh, gallstone colic Spasms, wounds Acne Anaemia, tuberculosis, cough Contusions

Preparations (administration)

Citations (n)

(%)

Infusion (I)

5

8.93

Infusion (I)

7

12.50

Infusion (I) Infusion (E) Infusion (I) Cataplasm

5 4 4 3

8.93 7.14 7.14 5.36

Infusion (I) Infusion (I) Infusion (I) Bath Infusion (I) Juice (E) Infusion (I) Bath Cataplasm Infusion (I)

2 12 9 3 5 3 7 2 4 4

3.57 21.43 16.07 5.36 8.93 5.36 12.50 3.57 7.14 7.14

Cataplasm Infusion (I) Cataplasm Juice (I) Infusion (I) Bath Infusion (I)

1 2 2 3 2 6 8

1.79 3.57 3.57 5.36 3.57 10.71 14.29

Infusion (I) Bath Infusion (I)

14 6 10

25.00 10.71 17.86

4

7.14

Cataplasm

E.C. Fernandez et al. / Fitoterapia 74 (2003) 407–416

Cynara scolymus L. (Cus 142)

Usesyailments treated

Table 1 (Continued) Botanical name and voucher specimen

Family

Local names

Parts used

Labiatae

Hierba buena

Aerial part

Nasturtium officinale R. Br. (San 168)

Cruciferae

Berros, ukururu, willkayuyu

Aerial part

Nicotiana glauca R. Grah. (Cus 171)

Solanaceae

K9aralawa

Leaf

Anu ayrampu

Fruit

Tuna

Aerial part

Opuntia albispinosa Mieckley ex Lindemuth & Dams (Cus 172) Opuntia ficus-indica Mill. (Cus 173)

Cactaceae

Opuntia minor C. Muell. (Cus 174)

Cactaceae

Oxalis acetosella L. (San 175)

Geraniaceae

Orchilla de tierra, ayrampu, manturu Apill apilla

Fruit Fruit Aerial part

Leaf

Peumus boldus Molina (Cus 138)

Monimiaceae

Petroselinum sativum Hoffm. (San 176) Pimpinella anisum L. (Cus 177)

Umbelliferae Umbelliferae

˜ qiru, Boldo, Anas pillurina Perejil, pirijila Andres huaylla, anisa

Leaf Aerial part Aerial part

Diarrhoea, stomachache, digestive disorders; vomiting, insomnia Nephrolithiasis, cholelithiasis, anaemia, bronchitis, tuberculosis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus Oedemas Haemorrhoids Fever Pharyngitis, tonsillitis Angina, headache, oedemas Cough Hyperacid stomach Pneumonia

Citations (n)

(%)

Infusion (I)

9

16.07

Eaten raw

6

10.71

Cataplasm Direct application Decoction (I) Juice (I) Plaster

4 5

7.14 8.93

4 4 7

7.14 7.14 12.50

Sap (I) Eaten raw Eaten raw

6 2 4

10.71 3.57 7.14

Infusion (I)

11

19.64

Juice (E) Cataplasm Eaten raw Infusion (I) Bath Infusion (I) Infusion (I)

4 3 7 5 3 7 12

7.14 5.36 12.50 8.93 5.36 12.50 21.43

5

8.93

Cataplasm

413

Digestive disorders, hyperacid stomach, stomach and intestinal ulcers, hepatitis Aphthae Wounds Gastroenteritis Hepatitis, insomnia Rheumatism Cholecystitis, epistaxis Diarrhoea, digestive disorders, bronchitis Bites of poisonous animals, rabies

Preparations (administration)

E.C. Fernandez et al. / Fitoterapia 74 (2003) 407–416

Mentha viridis L. (Cus 164)

Usesyailments treated

414

Table 1 (Continued) Botanical name and voucher specimen

Plantago hirtella H. B. & K. (Cus 178)

Family

Plantaginaceae

Local names

Lanti lanti

Parts used

Aerial part

Plantaginaceae

Llanten, chirajyu, saq9arara

Aerial part

Polymnia sonchifolia Poepp. & Endl. (Cus 180) Portulaca oleracea L. (Cus 181) Prosopis juliflora Griseb (Cus 182)

Compositae

Root

Portulacaceae Leguminosae

´ yacones, ´ Yacon, llacon Verdolaga Thaqho

Rosa canina L. (Cus 183)

Rosaceae

Ch9aphi rosa

Ruta graveolens L. (San 184)

Rutaceae

Ruda, kuyu

Rumex romassa Remy (Cus 185)

Polygonaceae

Salvia sagittata Ruiz & Pav. (Cus 186) Sessea discolor Francey (San 187) Schinus molle L. (Cus 188)

Labiatae Solanaceae Anacardiaceae

Romaza, llaqi lluch9u lluch9u Salwiya Thuska thuska Molle

Solanum nitidum Ruiz & Pav. (Cus 189)

Solanaceae

˜ ˜ Nunumaya

Spartium junceum L. (Cus 190)

Leguminosae

Retama, inka panqara

Tagetes graveolens L9Herit. ex DC. (Cus 191)

Compositae

Suyku

Leaf Leaf Fruit Flower Root Aerial part

Respiratory catarrh, cough Wounds Haemorrhoids Haemoptysis, prostatitis Cancer Otalgia Fever

Preparations (administration)

Citations (n)

(%)

Infusion (I)

8

14.29

Direct application Bath Infusion (I) Cataplasm Juice (E) Juice (I)

9

16.07

4 7 3 3 5

7.14 12.50 5.36 5.36 8.93

Eaten raw Juice (E) Infusion (I) Infusion (E) Infusion (I) Infusion (I)

7 4 2 9 3 9

12.50 7.14 3.57 16.07 5.36 16.07

Leaf Semen

Nephrolithiasis Conjunctivitis Dysorexia Ophthalmia, sinusitis Psychological depression Headache, menorrhalgia, tachycardia Epistaxis Colporrhagia, epistaxis

Infusion (E) Infusion (I)

8 5

14.29 8.93

Aerial part Aerial part Aerial part Leaf Fruit Leaf, fruit Fruit Root Flower

Tuberculosis Scabies, hair loss Colporrhagia Rheumatism, sciatica Enuresis Fever Constipation Malaria Headache, enuresis

Infusion (I) Bath Infusion (I) Cataplasm Infusion (I) Bath Decoction (I) Decoction (I) Infusion (I)

9 4 4 5 4 6 5 5 2

16.07 7.14 7.14 8.93 7.14 10.71 8.93 8.93 3.57

Root bark Aerial part

Constipation Fever, dysorexia, flatulence

Infusion (I) Infusion (I)

2 3

3.57 5.36

E.C. Fernandez et al. / Fitoterapia 74 (2003) 407–416

Plantago major L. (San 179)

Usesyailments treated

Table 1 (Continued) Botanical name and voucher specimen

Family

Local names

Parts used

Compositae

Wakatiya

Leaf

Tagetes pusilla H. B. & K. (Cus 193)

Compositae

Pampa anis

Aerial part

Taraxacum officinate Weber (San 194)

Compositae

´ Diente de leon, leche leche

Root

Tropaeolum majus L. (Cus 195)

Geraniaceae

Pajarilla

Aerial part

Urtica flabellata H. B. & K. (Cus 196) Viguiera mandonii Sch. Bip. (San 197)

Urticaceae Compositae

Orqo itapallo Sunchu

Whole plant Leaf, flower

Xanthium spinosum L. (Cus 198)

Compositae

Amor seco, allqu kisk9a

Leaf Root Leaf

Root

Influenza, respiratory catarrh, common cold Gastritis, amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea Stomach-ache, digestive disorders Bronchitis, neuralgic pains Phlebitis, varices Acne, scarlet fever, measles Bronchitis Eczema, scabies Pneumonia, hepatitis, nephritis, cystitis Rheumatism, arthritis Rachitis, anaemia, gonorrhoea, tonsillitis, laryngitis, gingivitis Oedemas Dysentery Odontalgia Cystitis, nephritis, hepatitis, gastritis, oophoritis Arteriosclerosis, hypertension Fever

Preparations (administration)

Citations (n)

(%)

Infusion (I)

4

7.14

Infusion (I)

6

10.71

Infusion (I)

4

7.14

Infusion (I)

4

7.14

Infusion (I)

6

10.71

Bath

5

8.93

Infusion (I) Bath Macerate (I)

7 6 7

12.50 10.71 12.50

Infusion (I) Bath

8 5

14.29 8.93

Cataplasm Decoction (I) Chewed raw Decoction (I)

2 2 1 3

3.57 3.57 1.79 5.36

Decoction (I)

3

5.36

Bath

2

3.57

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Tagetes minuta L. (Cus 192)

Usesyailments treated

Way of administration: (E) external use; (I) internal use.

415

416

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According to the recent reports of bioactivity of some species of genera Azorella w10–12x, Bystropogon w13x and Viguiera w14,15x the ethnopharmacological use of A. diapensioides, B. glabrescens and V. mandonii requires a more detailed investigation. A few papers reporting phytochemistry of some species of genera Caiophora w16x, Cortaderia w17x and Sessea w18x have been published. The phytopharmacological studies on Caiophora canarinoides, Cortaderia rudiuscula and S. discolor are probably lacking and investigations in this direction are also greatly needed. Acknowledgments This research was financially supported by the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic (Project No. 525y02y0257). References w1x Boom B. Adv Econ Bot 1987;4:1. w2x DeWalt S, Bourdy G, Chavez de Michel LR, Quenevo C. Econ Bot 1999;53:237. w3x Bourdy G, DeWalt S, Roca A, Chavez de Michel LR, Deharo E, Munoz V, et al. J Ethonpharmacol 2000;70:87. w4x Waller DP. J Ethnopharmacol 1993;38:189. w5x Manuel de Lucca D, Jaime Zalles A. La flora medicinal boliviana. Prisa Publicidad, 1992. w6x Samuelsen AB. J Ethnopharmacol 2000;71:1. w7x Butera D, Tesoriere L, Di Gaudio F, Bongiorno A, Allegra M, Pintaudi AM, et al. J Agric Food Chem 2002;50:6895. w8x Park EH, Kahng JH, Paek EA. Arch Pharm Res 1998;21:30. w9x Park EH, Chun MJ. Fitoterapia 2001;72(2):165. w10x Neira I, Poblete L, Porcille P, Silva P, Araya J, Borquez J, et al. Bol Chil Parasitol 1998;53:9. w11x Wachter GA, Franzblau SG, Montenegro G, Suarez E, Fortunato RH, Saavedra E, et al. J Nat Prod 1998;61:965. w12x Loyola LA, Borquez J, Morales G, Araya J, Gonzalez J, Neira I, et al. Phytochemistry 2001;56:177. w13x Economou D, Nahrstedt A. Planta Med 1991;57:347. w14x Schorr K, Garcia-Pineres AJ, Siedle B, Merfort I, Da Costa FB. Phytochemistry 2002;60:733. w15x Zamilpa A, Tortoriello J, Navarro V, Delgado G, Alvarez L. Planta Med 2002;68:281. w16x Weigend M, Kufer J, Muller AA. Am J Bot 2000;87:1202. w17x Connor HE, Purdie AW. N Z J Bot 1981;191:71. w18x Andrade SO, Retz L, Linardi MCF, Aguiar AA, Nahas L. Acad Brasil Cienc An 1970;30:42.