Table 2.

Therapeutic uses of medicinal plants to treat local ailments at Loja province

Medical category	Local illnesses and diseases recognized by market vendors
Circulatory system	Anemia, bad blood circulation, high cholesterol, and high or low blood pressure
Culture-bound syndromes	“Calor encerrado”, evil air, evil eye, fright, “espanto de cerro”, and “pena de ausencia” or “tirisia” (see definition of syndromes in Tene et al. 2007) [88] and Rios et al. 2007 [104]
Dermatological system	Acne, fungus infection, gangrene, rash, wounds, nosebleed, hair loss, and dandruff
Digestive system	Diarrhea, constipation, sickness, hangover, flatulence, liver disorder (included inflammation), stomach infection and pain, and tooth pain
General disorders	Inflammation, cancer, fever, headache, and sunstroke
Genitourinary system	Kidney ailments (included inflammation and infection), and prostate and urinary tract disorders
Gynecological system	Vaginal disorders, abdominal pain, menstrual cramps and related disorders, ovary inflammation, and promoting labor and childbirth recovery
Hormonal system	Diabetes and galactogogue
Musculoskeletal system	Bone fracture, bruise, rheumatism, sprain, and pains
Nervous system	Nervousness
Respiratory system	Cold, cough, flu, sore throat, and measles
Sensorial system	Ear pain and eye infection