Medicinal
plants in the cultural landscape of a Mapuche-Tehuelche community in
arid Argentine Patagonia: an eco-sensorial approach.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
The
taste and smell of medicinal plants and their relation to the cultural
landscape of a Mapuche-Tehuelche community in the Patagonian steppe was
investigated. We assume that the landscapes as a source of therapeutic
resources is perceived, classified and named according to different
symbolic, ecological and utilitarian criteria which are influenced by
chemosensorial appearance of medicinal plants which are valued by
inhabitants.
METHODS:
Information relating to the
cultural landscape experienced by 18 inhabitants, all representing 85%
of the families, in terms of medicinal plants, knowledge of species and
their organoleptic perception was obtained through participant
observation, interviews and free listing. The data were examined using
cualitative and quantitative approach, including discourse analysis and
non-parametric statistics.
RESULTS:
Informants use 121
medicinal species, obtained from both wild and non-wild environments,
most of which (66%) present aroma and/or taste. It was found that the
plants with highest use consensus used for digestive, respiratory,
cardio-vascular, analgesic-anti-inflammatory, obstetric-gynaecological
and genito-unrinary complaints, have the highest frequencies of cites
reporting flavor; and those with the highest frequencies relating to
digestive, analgesic-anti-inflammatory and cultural syndromes present
the highest frequencies of aroma. Flavor and/or aroma are interpreted as
strong or soft, and the strongest are associated with treatment of
supernatural ailments. Also, taste is a distinctive trait for the most
of the species collected in all natural units of the landscape, while
aroma is more closely associated with species growing at higher
altitudes. The local pharmacopeia is also enriched with plants that come
from more distant phytogeographical environments, such as the Andean
forest and the Patagonian Monte, which are obtained through barter with
neighboring populations. Herbal products are also obtained in regional
shop. The practices of barter and purchase extend the limits of the
landscape as a provider of therapeutic resources, improving the dynamics
of its functions and structure, leading to more effective solutions to
the various health needs that arise in the community.
CONCLUSIONS:
Herbal
landscape perceived by the community exhibits notable eco sensorial and
spatial heterogeneity. Local inhabitants' sensorial interpretations
play a role as heuristic tools in the recreation and redefinition of old
and new available resources.
