Cerrado and Women's Health: study of the use of medicinal plants as an element to promote female self-care and construction of teaching tools for users
Phytotherapy; Herbal medicine; Women's Health; Gynecology; Savannah
Women make up the majority of the Brazilian population and are the main users of the Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). It is essential to improve health care for this population, highlighting self-care. The Cerrado biome has a wide biodiversity, home to plants that are used as treatments for various diseases. By noting the historical relationship between women and medicinal plants and the need to value the people and biodiversity of the Cerrado, this study aims to identify the main plant species present in the biome aimed at medicinal purposes in Women's Health and to build educational devices that encourage their safe and effective use in self-management in women's health. For the study, most ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological studies were collected to identify the species of medicinal plants widespread in the Cerrado biome cited for use for women's health conditions. For the study, meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria, of 121 articles, 15 articles published from 2014 to 2024 were selected for an integrative review. The medicinal species used for the treatment and promotion of female well-being were barbatimão (Stryphnodendron adstringens), aroeira (Myracrodruon urundeuva) and algodão-do-campo (Cochlospermum regium), respectively. Species belonging to the botanical families Fabaceae and Asteraceae were the most cited. Women were identified as the main holders of knowledge and engagement regarding the use of medicinal plants, especially elderly women and quilombolas. These findings culminated in the construction of two educational devices: a website and an information booklet with free access aimed at women users of medicinal plants. The provision of targeted educational material based on scientific studies encourages the perpetuation of knowledge and traditions with refinement of health care, encouraging the safe and rational use of medicinal plants. It is concluded that there is still a need for greater cultural appreciation of the peoples and the Cerrado biome, and that it is necessary to refine studies that encourage the propagation of traditional knowledge on the medicinal use of native species in a safe and effective manner.