OCORRÊNCIA E CARACTERIZAÇÃO DE PLANTAS COM PROPRIEDADES MEDICINAIS NA CAATINGA DE ARNEIROZ, CEARÁ

Abstract

The Caatinga occupies a large part of northeastern Brazil, characterized by rich biodiversity and endemism. However, its resources have been exploited intensively over the years, putting all this wealth at risk. The objective of the present work was to carry out a survey of the main native tree species in the Caatinga with medicinal potential that occur in an area of ​​native forest in the interior of Arneiroz and to verify their medicinal indications, according to the literature. The survey of native species was carried out through field collections, GPS markings and photographs. Ten species were identified, namely: Myracrodruon urundeuva (Aroeira), Ziziphus joazeiro (Juazeiro), Pseudobombax marginatum (Embiratanha), Crateva tapia (Trapiá), Aspidosperma pyrifolium (Pereiro), Cynophalla flexuosa (Feijão-Bravo), Senna spectabilis (Canafístula), Licania rigida (Oiticica), and Libidibia ferrea (Jucá). The medicinal species that were found in Arneiroz, have medicinal indications in the literature, with the potential to supply different phytotherapic needs of the local population. Thus, in Arneiroz, different species with described medicinal properties are found and it is recommended to carry out ethnobotanical studies in the region to describe the application of these plants in nearby locations.