Table 1.
List of plants and their vernacular name and folk use in Brazil
| Plant species | Family | Vernacular name | Folk use in Brazil |
|---|---|---|---|
| Byrsonima sericea DC. | Malpighiaceae | Murici-da-mata | A decoction of the stem-bark is used to treat fevers, diarrhea, syphilis and kidney disease [26] |
| Cupania impressinervia Acev. Rodr. var. (revoluta) Radlk | Sapindaceae | Caboatã-de-rego | - |
| Duranta repens Linn. | Verbenaceae | Pingo-de-ouro | Ornamental [27] |
| Helicostylis tomentosa (Poepp. & Endl) Rusby | Moraceae | Amoreira-preta | Its fruit is used as a nutritional source [28] |
| Himatanthus bracteatus (A.DC.) Woodson | Apocynaceae | Janaguba | The latex is topically applied to treat external ulcers and tumors. It is dropped in a liter of water against inflammation and cancer [26] |
| Ipomoea purga (Wender.) Hayne | Convolvulaceae | Jalapa, batata-de-purga | It is used as an analgesic [29] |
| Ixora coccinea Linn. | Rubiaceae | Ixora | Ornamental [30] |
| Mabea piriri Aubl. | Euphorbiaceae | Canudo de cachimbo | - |
| Miconia minutiflora | Melastomataceae | Mundururu | Its fruit is used as a nutritional source [28] |
| Momordica charantia L. | Cucurbitaceae | Melão-de-sabiá, melão-de-são-caetano, galinha-de-melão | A decoction of a handful in a liter of water is used as a tea to treat diabetes, parasite infections, rheumatism and diarrhea [26] |
| Ocotea glomerata (Nees) Mez | Lauraceae | Caneleira, louro-branco, louro-abacate, louro-bravo | The leaves are used to treat hydropsy, digestive problems and high blood pressure [31, 32] |
| Ocotea longifolia Kunth (Oreodaphne opifera Mart. Nees) | Lauraceae | Canela de cheiro | Fruit oil is used to treat arthralgia and rheumatic diseases [33] |
| Pavonia fruticosa (Mill.) Fawc. & Rendle | Malvaceae | - | - |
| Psychotria capitata Ruiz & Pav. | Rubiaceae | - | - |
| Schefflera morototoni (Aubl.) Maguire, Steyerm. & Frodin | Araliaceae | Matatauba, Marupá | Its fruit is used as a nutritional source and to make local crafts [28] |
| Solanum paludosum Moric. | Solanaceae | Jurubeba-brava, jurubeba-roxa | An infusion of the roots is used to treat hepatic diseases. The fruit is used as a poison [26] |
| Xylopia frutescens Aubl. | Annonaceae | Embira, semente-de-embira | Its seeds and fruits are used as a digestive aid (a decoction of a teaspoon in a cup of water). It is used as a tea after meals [26] |
| Zanthoxylum rhoifolium Lam. | Rutaceae | Mamica de cadela, mamica de porca | The roots are used as a febrifuge, digestant and tonic. The stem bark is used to treat flatulence, colic, dyspepsia, ear aches, toothaches and snake bites [34] |