Menstrual cramps: a new therapeutic alternative care through medicinal plants

Abstract

The study aims to know the medicinal plants used by farming families of communities in four municipalities of the south region of RS for the relief of menstrual cramps. It is a descriptive study that analyzed qualitative data. The subjects were 19 farmers from Cangu?u, Arroio do Padre, Morro Redondo and Pelotas. Data were collected from January and May the 2009, through semistructured interviews. Eight plants used for relieve menstrual cramps were cited. This research showed that the popular knowledge of farmers is consistent, in 100%, with the search made in the scientific literature. It is evident that the plants Apium sp., Plectranhus sp., Cinnamomum sp., Chenopodium ambrostoides, Origamun sp., Petroselimum crispum have evidence in the scientific literature, showing that the individuals in this study use the medicinal plants suitable for their purpose.