Medicinal plants that are sold in the 8 de julio market and a traditional, both located in the center of Actopan, Hidalgo, Mexico

Abstract

The knowledge of medicinal plants of the otomí or hñähñu culture reaches our days, and part of the transmission is found in the markets through plant the sellers, who are often also regional healers. During one year, information was requested about of the medicinal plants sold in the established market 8 de Julio and in the traditional market or “tianguis”, both located in the city of Actopan, Hidalgo. Based on a previously established questionnaire, vendors were asked about the uses, part of the plant they use occupy, administration and contraindication. Plants were purchased for identification. As a result of this work, 29 families, 55 genera and 56 species of plants that are commercialized in the two markets are recognized. Fifty-two people were interviewed, of whom 39 have a relationship with otomies and 13 who do not; 17 of them were men and 35 women, with ages ranging from 15 to over 60 years. The informants between 41 and 60 years have more knowledge. The plants sold in the markets cure 14 different types of diseases, including those of the digestive apparatus with 61, considering that more than one use is mentioned in the same plant, followed by those used for cultural syndromes with 35 references, those of the respiratory system with 26 citations and the urinary system with 20. The most commonly used parts are the leaves, flowers and the whole plant. The most used preparations are cooking followed by plant combination and the infusion. When obtaining the use value of each plant, the highest percentages were the epazote (Dysphania ambrosoides 23.4%), lemon (Citrus aurantiifolia 21.8%) and tila (Ternstroemia sylvatica 20.3%). Twenty-one of the plants mentioned in this work have not been cited as medicinal in previous research in the state of Hidalgo.