KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF HERBALISM IN THE STATE OF MEXICO, GUIDELINES TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY

Abstract

Herbalism and traditional medicine in Mexico are persistent activities in the population, both address diverse perspectives, although there are few reports mentioning the sustainability of such activities. The objective of the study was to identify and document the knowledge and sustainable practices carried out by the collectors, producers and consumers of medicinal plants in the east of the state of Mexico. The hypothesis was that the knowledge transmitted intergenerationally has led to a sustainable practice of herbalism. The ethnobotanical method was used to determine the sustainability of the system. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with key actors who were older adults, collectors, and producers of medicinal plants. Plants of 61 species used were identified at the local herbalist market, 35 species are collected or grown for sale in the street market (tianguis) of Ozumba, state of Mexico. The older adults use the local plants and referred other 26 different species, of which five are acquired in naturalist stores, of the remaining (21), their main use is not medicinal: six are ornamental, 13 are used in cooking and two are considered wild perennials. Herbalism is still present in the east of the state of Mexico, through a proactive exchange between the harvesting producer and the elders, who acquire the local plants in season favoring the conservation of environmentally friendly agricultural practices. Herbalism is a sustainable practice thanks to the harvesting and production processes. Although it may be at risk due to the loss of intergenerational knowledge; as transmissibility decreases, the future of the activity is at risk. Other risks detected are of economic nature caused by the low prices of medicinal plants.