Journal of Ethnopharmacology 96 (2005) 389401

Medical Ethnobotany of the Teribes of Bocas del Toro, Panama

M.P. Guptaa,b, , P.N. Sol sa , A.I. Calder ona , F. Guinneau-Sinclairc , M. Correab,d , C. Galdamesb , C. Guerraa , A. Espinosaa , G.I. Alvendae , G. Roblese , R. Ocampoe
a

Centro de Investigaciones Farmacogn osticas de la Flora Paname na (CIFLORPAN), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Panam a, Apartado 10767, Estafeta Universitaria, Republica de Panam a b Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama c S odert orns H ogskola University, Sweden d Herbarium, University of Panama, Panama e Centro Agron omico Tropical de Investigaci on y Ense nanza, Turrialba, Costa Rica Received 1 November 2003; received in revised form 13 August 2004; accepted 13 August 2004

Abstract Ethnomedical uses of 108 medicinal plant species, belonging to 52 families, 89 genera, used by the Teribe Amerindians of Bocas del Toro Province in Panama, along with their socio-cultural practices are reported here. The methods of administration of the herbal remedies, the plant parts used, their families and local names are also documented. The recorded medicinal plants were used mainly for fever, various type of pain and inammation. The potential value of 26 plants and their traditional uses was elucidated through literature search. 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Teribe; Ethnobotany; Bocas del Toro; Panama

1. Introduction The Teribes or Tlorio, also called Naso, represent one of the eight Amerindian groups of Panama. They live along the Teribe and San San rivers in the province of Bocas del Toro. Their population is 3805, which represents 1.2% of the total Panamanian Amerindian population (Direcci on de Estad stica y Censo, 2001). The low population is due to the following historical reasons: (a) lethal diseases due to the early contact with the Spaniards in 1502 during the fourth trip of Christopher Columbus toward the Indies (Colon, 1981); (b) the presence of British pirates since 1577 started the slavery period of the indigenous people of the region with their deportation to the Caribbean territories (Colon, 1981); (c) the displacement of population operated by the Franciscans to Costa Rican territory from 1695 to the beginning of 19th century (Gordon, 1965); and (d) the constant wars of Teribes

Corresponding author. Tel.: +507 269 7655; fax: +507 264 0789. E-mail address: cytedqff@ancon.up.ac.pa (M.P. Gupta).

against the Spaniards and other indigenous groups such as Talamanca, T errabas, Bri-Br and Viceitas (Gordon, 1965). The social organization of the Teribes is based on a monarchy, whose origin stems from an attempt by the Teribes to imitate the Spaniards during the colonization. The traditional Teribe dynasty was established by the warrior Basle Santana. Evidence indicates the existence of 18 kings, among them, a woman: Runa Santana in 1986. In order to access the throne, the candidate must come from the Santana family and must be recognized by the people. The dynasty was in crisis because of the competition between the legitimate heir and the current king, who was imposed by the Ng obe Amerindians (Guinneau-Sinclair, 1991). In 1990, the Teribe population was distributed in the provinces of Bocas del Toro (84%), Chiriqui (9%), and Panama (7%) (Direcci on de Estad stica y Censo, 1991). The preferred places where the Teribes migrated are the provinces of Chiriqui and Panama, because of job opportunities and mixed marriages. Considering the current status of the Teribe population, it is possible that this tribal group may be fur-

0378-8741/$ see front matter 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2004.08.032

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ther reduced in number in the near future due to the lack of endogamic marriages. Mixed couples of TeribeNg obe, TeribeBribr and Teribenon-Amerindian people are increasing, because the Teribes prohibit marriages among close cousins. The post-marital residence is generally matriarchal, even though, the inheritance of property is cognate with men and women having equal rights (Guinneau-Sinclair, 1991). The search for a partner in the neighboring indigenous groups has accelerated the socio-cultural decomposition of this group, for several reasons. First, the Ng obe group is polygamous and, in general, they marry Teribe woman to have access to the Tlorio land. The Ng obe keep their wives within their own cultural group, which causes serious conicts between Teribes and Ng obe. Thus, the presence of Ng obe in Teribe territory has caused important changes in the socio-political environment of this group. Second, the marriages with Bri-Br do not, in general, create a problem. However, in case of a conict the hostility returns and the inter-group relationships are weakened. Third, the nonindigenous people gain access to the land by marrying a Teribe woman. It introduces the concept of private property, which is against the communitarian organization, thus disintegrating the Teribe community even more. Due to these reasons, the Teribes decided to live in nine towns: Santa Rosa, Bonyick, Solon, Sieyick, Sieykin, Kuikin, Druyick, San San and La Tigra (Reverte, 1967; Von Chong and Ortiz, 1982). Teribes practice horticulture (e.g. corn, rice, beans, tubers, fruits), hunting, shing and raising chicken, ducks, turkey for family consumption. The collection of wild fruits, edible plants and medicinal plants is still very important. They also harvest cacao and raise cattle, pigs and goats, which allows cash ow and thus complements their subsistence agriculture. They also weave souvenirs like baskets and hats, which are sold in two major cities, Panama City and David (Reverte, 1967; Von Chong and Ortiz, 1982).

The rich traditional uses of medicinal plants by the Teribes in the district of Changuinola has not been reported to date. This district lies near the shores of the Teribe and San San river, which are afuents of Changuinola river. Tropical rain forest can be found towards the Caribbean Coast and premontane to montane forest towards headwater of Teribe river. The Bocas del Toro forest comprises 1687 taxonomically identied owering plants, of which 148 (8.8%) are endemic species (Correa and Valdespino, 1999). The present paper reports rst-hand information on the traditional medical uses of plants among this ethnic group, as part of a project nanced by the New York Botanical Garden.

2. Methodology 2.1. Ethical issues Prior to participation, the queen and each abuelo were appraised of the project structure, participants, goals, potential for further research and dissemination of the data collected. Subsequently, Queen Runa (Fig. 1), the Head of the Teribe Reservation, and our team met with the healers on September 15th, 1993, to seek their prior consent. At this meeting the healers gave their consent for us to carry out and publish the results of this study. The whole Teribe team was also invited to our research center in the University of Panama on April 21st, 1995. Collection permits were obtained from the National Environment Authority. 2.2. Selection of study site and interviewees The eld study was carried out in eight communities in the district of Changuinola in the province of Bocas del Toro: Solon, Bonyick, Sieyick, Sieykin, Druyick, Kudi, Shlobenb

Fig. 1. The queen Runa Santana.

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391

Fig. 2. Study sites in Bocas del Toro Province.

and Srodiyik (Fig. 2). Field interviews were conducted in Spanish with the assistance of a translator. The team consisted of an anthropologist (who led the interviews), botanists and pharmacognosists. The abuelos (herbal practitioners) from the Teribe region were interviewed to gain a general understanding of their traditional herbal medical practices. Information on healing plants was gathered through interviews with 11 herbal practitioners called abuelos (Julio Torres, Marcelina Villagra, Evangelina Rodr guez, Gilberto S anchez, Ceraf n Torres, Apolinecio Baker, Ram on S anchez, Gilberto Aguilar, Baldomero Torres, Lorenzo Nersis and Antonio Gamarra). 2.3. Method of interview Data gathering was performed as a continuous informal question-and-answer interview with each abuelo during the visits to the communities. Basic information was always queried in order to complete a desired prole for each medicinal plant species that included the following data: (a) common/local plant name(s); (b) health problem(s) treated by this plant species; (c) method of administration and doses; (d) plant parts used and preparation of the herbal remedy. The interviews with the abuelos were recorded using the ethnopharmacologic questionnaire, which is a modication of the format recommended by the World Health Organization and previously used in an earlier study by Joly et al. (1987).

2.4. Plant collection and identication The abuelos led the team to the forest and were asked to show the plants that they had been using to treat patients including their vernacular names, mode of preparation and use. Each specimen was labeled with a numbered tag and placed between newsprints in plant presses and brought to Panama City. The plants were identied taxonomically by one of us (M.C.). Voucher herbarium specimens have been deposited in the Herbarium of the University of Panama, Panama (PMA). 2.5. Data analysis and compilation Written data collected during interviews were reviewed upon returning to Panama City and entered into a Microsoft Access Database (PLANMEDIA designed to document ethnomedical uses of Iberoamerican medicinal plants). Literature search was conducted on each plant species identied in this study. Based on the extent of ethnomedical use in other countries and on the availability of published phytochemical and biological data, each ethnomedical use was classied into one of the three categories using a modied system dened by Ortiz de Montellano and Browner (1985). Category 1 was assigned to species with no readily available published relevant phytochemical, ethnomedical or biological data. Category 2 was assigned to species with an established and documented use in countries outside of Panama for similar indications. Category 3 was assigned to species with corroborative phar-

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macological activities, or to species from which a chemical compound or compounds have been isolated and shown to be active in animal (in vivo) studies.

3. Results The knowledge about medicinal plants among Teribes is still alive due to the presence of the abuelos, also called Nodurom Nega. According to them, they cure common cold, headache, toothache, earache, bodyache, vertigo, cramps, diarrhea, furunculosis, leishmaniasis and snakebites using medicinal plants. The Teribes still rely heavily on healing powers of plants, due to the difculty in getting modern medical care for their day-to-day problems, even though the Western medicine has been present in the Teribe region since the beginning of the seventies through a program of the Integrated Health System of Bocas del Toro. Additionally, Teribe traditional medicine men such as Capar-Sigu a (shaman: who communicates with the spirits), Jakguak (who uses rocks) and Isokro (chanter, who chants) have disappeared. The most common ailments among Teribes are: intestinal parasitosis, anemia, acute respiratory infection, osteoarthritis, pyoderma and muscular pains. The Capar-Sigui a were therapeutists who revealed power from spirits of the terrestrial and celestial world, however, they have disappeared. Their concept of health-disease was related to the will of negative spirits to produce diseases in humans. When the western medicine could not cure a disease, the Teribes were submitted to the supernatural healing power. The dreams are still considered as a source of worry, as when one has a dream of the forbidden topics, it could produce sickness in the dreamer or his relative. According to the Teribes, the supernatural world is dominated by Ter (la abuelita) which was brought by the cultural hero-Tladga and Sbo (hero associated with God). The Khus, the followers of Ter, are the night spirits, which may enter humans and procreate. They advise the Tlorio therapists and visit them at night. The Khus under the orientation of Ter were the advisers of Teribes during the war against the Talamanca (Bri-Br -Cab ecar group). Ter, the great therapist, lives in Palenque at the headwaters of Teribe river. When Teribes are sick, they usually go there in front of an enormous rock, which represents Ter. The relatives prepare a remedy using a mixture of medicinal plants and broken white stones, which is ingested by the Teribes. The mere presence of these plants in front of Ter make them curative. The results of our eld study are presented in Table 1, which is arranged in an alphabetical order by the plant family and scientic name. The local name, part used, type of preparation and ethnomedical uses of each plant, along with the voucher specimen number, and the category of use are provided. A total of 108 plant species belonging to 52 families have been documented for their therapeutic properties. The family

Gesneriaceae is the most richly represented in the ethnomedical uses (12 species), followed by Acanthaceae (7 species) and Rubiaceae (6 species). The ethnomedical information entered in Microsoft Access Database generated 246 entries. Among these, 188 were plant samples of 108 fully identied species, while 58 samples of species identied to the genus level (18 genera). Literature searches on the plants collected yielded corroborative evidence of therapeutic value for many species collected. Of the 108 identied species, 26 were referenced in the literature (Table 1). Of these, 21 species have been published as used for similar purposes in other parts of the world, while 82 species are not found referenced in the literature relevant to Teribes ethnomedical uses. Through these analyses, the potential value of 26 plants and their traditional uses were elucidated. Using Ortiz de Montanello and Browners criteria (1985), 82 species were classied as category 1 (76%), 21 as category 2 (19%), and 5 as category 3 (5%). The uses of plants by the Teribes are classied into 39 therapeutic uses. The number of plant species for each ethnomedical use is given in Table 2. One plant, Desmodium adscendens (Sw.) DC. (Leguminosae), claimed to treat conjunctivitis, was reported to be toxic.

4. Discussion and conclusions Teribes depend heavily upon herbal remedies and have individuals knowledgeable in their use. Such remedies are sourced from the rich ora of the region, where in Bocas del Toro alone, about 1687 species of vascular plants (15% of the whole Panamanian ora) are found. The top 10 ethnomedical uses reported by the Teribe region were fever, various type of pain, inammation, snakebite, chicken pox, diarrhea, measles, leishmaniasis, urinary infections and skin infections. The traditional uses of medicinal plants by the Teribes have been documented and categorized through searches of the world literature, which appears to lend support to the ethnomedical uses of 26 species, and thus providing some rationale for their use in primary health care. Some plants used by this native group are also used by the other Panamanian Amerindians, for example, Psidium guajava has been used to treat diarrhea by mestizos and Momordica charantia has been used as a choleretic and antihypertensive by Kuna Indians (Gupta et al., 1979). The use of Drymonia serrulata as antipyretic and analgesic has been claimed by the Guaymi Indians (Joly et al., 1987, 1990). The correlation between ethnomedical uses of plants in category 3 and their published biological activities may be stated as follows. The whole plant extract of Aristolochia grandiora (Aristolochiaceae) showed moderate neutralization (2172%) of the hemorrhagic effect of Bothrops atrox venom at doses of up to 4 mg per mouse (Otero et al., 2000). This biological activity lends support to its ethnomedical use to treat snakebite. Neurolaena lobata (leaves, ethanolic

Table 1 Medicinal uses of plants by the Teribe Amerindians

Plant: Group/FAMILY/Species Pteridophytes ASPLENIACEAE Asplenium serratum L. (FLORPAN 1508; 10/14/93) BLECHNACEAE Salpichlaena volubilis (Kaulf.) J. Sm. (FLORPAN 1427; 11/10/93) LOMARIOPSIDACEAE Elaphoglossum herminieri (Bory ex F ee) T. Moore (FLORPAN 1483; 10/14/93) POLYPODIACEAE Niphidium crassifolium (L.) Lellinger (FLORPAN 1456; 10/12/93) TECTARIACEAE Cyclopeltis semicordata (Sw.) J. Sm. (FLORPAN 1431; 11/10/93) Gymnosperms ZAMIACEAE Zamia skinneri Warsz. ex A. Dietr. (FLORPAN 1363; 10/8/93) Angiosperms (Monocotyledoneae) ARACEAE Dracontium spruceanum (Schott) G.H. Zhu (FLORPAN 1445, 10/12/93) Local namea Complaints or diseases Preparation and dosageb Modied Ortiz de Montellano and Browner categoryc

NR

Burns

SC: ash: used as cataplasm

In dwroyo

Toothache

VI: dec: used as gargles tid

Yugsho

Burns

FR: ash: applied as cataplasm

M.P. Gupta et al. / Journal of Ethnopharmacology 96 (2005) 389401

Kior kwo

Fever

LF: dec: one cup each bid or tid

Ioksii

Burns

SC: ash: applied topically bid: 2 days

Trucli

Wounds healing

RZ: fresh mucilage fresh or dec: applied topically tid. Used as a bath

Dgur dworoyo, Shlapgur dloyo, Dgurg poglo NR NR

Snakebite Skin ulcers Snakebite Pain, snakebite

Homalomena wendlandii Schott (FLORPAN 1469; 10/13/93) Philodendron radiatum Schott (FLORPAN 1453; 10/12/93) COMMELINACEAE Dichorisandra hexandra (Aubl.) Standl. (FLORPAN 1988; 5/9/95) Tradescantia zanonia (L.) Sw. (FLORPAN 1421; 11/10/93) Tripogandra serrulata (Vahl) Handlos (FLORPAN 1389; 10/10/93) HAEMODORACEAE Xiphidium caeruleum Aubl. (FLORPAN 1408; 10/10/93) MARANTHACEAE Calathea warscewiczii (L. Mathieu ex Planch.) Planch. & Linden (FLORPAN 1425; 11/10/93)

RZ: dec: 1/2 glass, TB: dec: 1/2 cup po, ST: dec: 1/2 glass each 23 h TB: dec: Used as baths ST: dec:3 tblsp each 4 h RT: mac: applied as cataplasm

2 (Selvanayahgam et al., 1994) 2 (Selvanayahgam et al., 1994) 1 1

Roban dloyo Kug tan croscocho NR

Internal and body pain Hemorrhage Inammation and fractures

TB: dec: 1/2 cup tid: 3 days Sap: fresh: applied topically WP: dec: used as baths bid

1 1 1

NR

Facilitate child birth

ST: inf: 1 glass po

Gurbum prak

Snakebites Painful wounds, inammation

RZ: mac: applied a cataplasm: 7 days, LF: fresh or warmed: used as cataplasm LF: fresh or warmed: used as cataplasm

1 1

MUSACEAE Musa sapientum L. (FLORPAN 2041; 5/11/95) PALMAE Cocos nucifera L. (FLORPAN 1396; 10/10/93) SMILACACEAE Smilax chiriquensis C.V. Morton (FLORPAN 1428; 11/10/93) ZINGIBERACEAE Zingiber ofcinale Roscoe (FLORPAN 1452; 10/12/93)

Shitikwo

Urinary infection

HT: dec: 1 cup each 23 h

NR

Intense back pain

RT: dec: 1 glass po

NR

Weakness, malnutrition

RZ: dec: 1 glass bid or qid

NR

Pneumonia, toothache

RZ: dec: taken, po used as gargles bid or tid

2 (Coe and Anderson, 1996a; Holdsworth, 1984; Cruz, 1965)

393

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Table 1 (Continued )
Plant: Group/FAMILY/Species Angiosperms (Dicotyledoneae) ACANTHACEAE Blechum costaricense Oerst. (FLORPAN 1485; 10/14/93) Blechum panamense Lindau (FLORPAN 1972; 5/8/95) Blechum pyramidatum (Lam.) Urb. (FLORPAN 1395; 10/10/93) Justicia oerstedii Leonard. (FLORPAN 1966; 5/8/95) Odontonema tubaeforme (Bertol.) Kuntze (FLORPAN 1963; 5/8/95) Ruellia biolleyi Lindau (FLORPAN 1983; 5/9/95) Ruellia cf. metallica Leonard (FLORPAN 2025; 5/11/95) AMARANTHACEAE Pleuropetalum sprucei (Hook. f.) Standl. (FLORPAN 1475; 10/13/93) ANNONACEAE Annona reticulata L. (FLORPAN 1393; 10/10/93) ARISTOLOCHIACEAE Aristolochia aff. grandiora Sw. (FLORPAN 1975; 5/8/95) Aristolochia constricta Griseb. (FLORPAN 1426; 11/10/93) Local namea Complaints or diseases Preparation and dosageb Modied Ortiz de Montellano and Browner categoryc

Skuen dwroyo Skue ko NR Plebu ko Kuioloym Ko Wo owa dloyo NR

Vertigo Vertigo Amebiasis Diarrhea Induce child birth Appetite stimulant Bodyache and fever

LF: dec: 1/2 cup each 4 h ST + LF: dec: 1/2 cup tid LF: dec: qd ST: dec: 1 cup each 23 h, ST + RT: dec: 1 cup tid LF: dec: 1 glass 1 or several times, ST + LF: dec: 1 glass each 30 min ST + LF: dec: 1/21 cup tid ST: dec: 1 cup each 23 h

1 1 2 (Standley, 1937) 1 1 1 1

M.P. Gupta et al. / Journal of Ethnopharmacology 96 (2005) 389401

NR

Nose bleeding, post measles weakness Inammation and fractures

ST: dec: 1 glass qid or 3 tblsp each 4 h

NR

LF: mac: applied as cataplasm: 8 days

2 (Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk, 1962)

Shlup duir dwroyo Bala-yugwo, Trop shguo

Snakebite Snakebite Leishmaniasis Pain and inammation

LF: dec: a glass, po ST: dec: 1/21 glass each 30 min LF: mac: used as baths: 3 days, FR: dec: applied as cataplasm:3 days ST: dec: taken, po

3 (Aguilar et al., 1992; Otero et al., 2000; Aguilar Giron, 1966) 2 (Rastrelli et al., 1997) 2 (De Tommasi et al., 1998) 1

Aristolochia tonduzii O.C. Schmidt (FLORPAN 1502; 10/14/93) ASTERACEAE Hebeclinium macrophyllum (L.) DC. (FLORPAN 1433; 11/10/93) Neurolaena lobata (L.) Cass. (FLORPAN 1980; 5/8/95)

NR

NR Kegri

Insectbites Skin infection

LF: dec: used as baths LF: dec: used as baths

Sinclairia polyantha (Klatt) Rydb. (FLORPAN 2081; 5/12/95) Sphagneticola trilobata (L.) Pruski (FLORPAN 1492; 10/14/93) BEGONIACEAE Begonia multinervia Liebm. (FLORPAN 1998; 5/10/95) Begonia semiovata Liebm. (FLORPAN 2058; 5/12/95) BIGNONIACEAE Crescentia cujete L. (FLORPAN 1397; 10/10/93) Mansoa standleyi (Steyerm.) A.H. Gentry (FLORPAN 1432; 11/10/93) Stizophyllum riparium (Kunth) Sandwith (FLORPAN 1495; 10/14/93) BORAGINACEAE Cordia alliodora (Ruiz & Pav.) Oken (FLORPAN 2027; 5/11/95) Tournefortia bicolor Sw. (FLORPAN 1444; 10/12/93) Tournefortia cuspidata Kunth (FLORPAN 1462; 10/13/93) BURSERACEAE Bursera simaruba (L.) Sarg. (FLORPAN 1454; 10/12/93)

Shurio sho Ta dwroyo

Cough Cough, u

ST: dec: 1/2 glass tid LF: dec: 1 tblsp qid

1 3 (Giron et al., 1991; Barrett, 1994; Lentz et al., 1998; C aceres et al., 1998) 1 1

Klik dloyo Shpa shpa

Fever Chicken pox

PT: jc: 1/2 glass tid ST: dec: 1/2 glass each 4 h

1 1

Diblo Ponguo zhwo Kish wo

Purgative Aggressive dementia Urinary infections

FR: dec: 2 tblsp qd VI: dec: used as a bath ST: dec: 1 cup po

2 (Kaneko et al., 1998; Morton, 1968; Orso, 1970) 1 1

NR Nres NR

Fever Fever Fever

LF: dec: used as baths ST + LF: mac and dec: used as baths or po ST: dec: 3 tblsp each 4 h

1 1 1

NR

Urinary infections, contraconceptive

bruises,

BK: dec: 1 cup each 23 h. Used as baths tid: 23 days BK: dec: qd or tid RES: fresh: applied topically

Trattinnickia aspera (Standley) Swart (FLORPAN 1390; 10/10/93)

NR

Depurative hypertension Leishmaniasis

3 (C aceres et al., 1987; Flores and Ricalde, 1996; Sosa et al., 2002; Camporese et al., 2003) 1 1

CAMPANULACEAE Centropogon coccineus (Hook.) Regel ex B.D.Jacks. (FLORPAN 2018; 5/10/95) CARYOPHYLLACEAE Drymaria cordata (L.) Willd. ex Schult. (FLORPAN 1506; 10/14/93) Dobro, Koban dloyo Headache, stomachache Fever Stellaria ovata Willd. ex Schltdl. (FLORPAN 1984; 5/9/95) CHENOPODIACEAE Chenopodium ambrosioides L. (FLORPAN 1386; 10/10/93) NR Stomachache LF: dec: 2 tblsp each 2 h 3 (Filipoy, 1994; Duke, 1994; Guzman, 1947; Chou, 1960; Vitalyos, 1979; Darias et al., 1986; Okuyama et al., 1993) 3 (Krag, 1976; Heinrich et al., 1992; Aguilar Giron, 1966; Johnson and Croteau, 1984; Nakazawa, 1996) Duk dloyo Worms ST + LF: dec: 1/2 cup tid. Taken 1 cup each 23 h WP: dec: a glass WP: dec: 1/2 cup tid 2 (Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk, 1962) 2 (Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk, 1962; Mukherjee et al., 1998) 1 NR Arthritis ST: dec: 1 glass qid 1

To expel worms

LF: jc: 2 tblsp

M.P. Gupta et al. / Journal of Ethnopharmacology 96 (2005) 389401

CONVOLVULACEAE Ipomoea alba L. (FLORPAN 1403; 10/10/93) NR Snakebite Inammation in snakebite CURCUBITACEAE Gurania makoyana (Lem.) Cogn. (FLORPAN 1487; 10/14/93) NR Leishmaniasis Inammation, liquid retention Momordica charantia L. (FLORPAN 1429; 11/10/93) Srose Bile ST + LF: dec: used as baths LF: dec: 1 cup tid WP: dec: 1/41/2 glass qid or bid 1 1 2 (Velez-Salas, 1944; Hirschmann and Rojas de Arias, 1990; Weninger et al., 1982) 2 (Brenneker, 1961; Roig y Mesa, 1945) 2 (Barrett, 1994; Coe and Anderson, 1996a; Gupta et al., 1979) 2 (Hasrat et al., 1997; Mokkhasmit et al., 1971; Caballero-George et al., 2001) LF: fresh: used as cataplasm WP: dec: used as baths 1 1

Facilitate child birth Fever Hypertension

WP: dec: 1 glass qid or bid WP: dec: 1/41/2 glass qid or bid WP: dec: 1/41/2 glass qid or bid

DILLENIACEAE Tetracera volubilis L. (FLORPAN 2056; 5/11/95) EUPHORBIACEAE Phyllanthus urinaria L. (FLORPAN 1464; 10/13/93) GESNERIACEAE Besleria laxiora Benth. (FLORPAN 1497; 10/14/93) Besleria solanoides Kunth (FLORPAN 1978; 5/8/95) Columnea nicaraguensis Oerst. (FLORPAN 1969; 5/8/95) Sogrok koro, Klik ko NR Nana ko, Klik sho Fever Fever Fever Fatigue Columnea sanguinolenta (Oerst.) Hanst. (FLORPAN 1986; 5/9/95) Columnea tulae Urb. var. tomentulosa (C.V. Morton) B.D. Morley (FLORPAN 1458; 10/13/93) Dakodluko Wru dwroyo, dloyo Loguo Dysmenorrhea Fever Measles Chicken pox LF: dec: 1 glass each 8 h, ST: dec: 1/2 cup tid ST: dec: 1/2 cup tid ST + LF: dec: 1/2 glass tid, WP: mac: bid or tid ST + LF: dec: 1/2 cup tid ST + LF: dec: 1/2 glass each 8 h/day ST: dec: 3 tblsp each 4 h ST + LF: dec: 1 glass bid WP: jc: 1/2 glass each 23 h 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 NR Diarrhea ST: dec: 3 tblsp each 4 h. 1 glass qid 1 NR Bodyache ST + LF: dec: used as baths 1

395

396

Table 1 (Continued)
Plant: Group/FAMILY/Species Diastema scabrum (Poepp.) Benth. ex. Walp. (FLORPAN 2016; 5/10/95) Drymonia macrophylla (Oerst.) H.E. Moore (FLORPAN 1446; 10/12/93) Drymonia multiora (Oerst. ex Hanst.) Wiehler (FLORPAN 2011; 5/10/95) Drymonia serrulata (Jacq.) Mart. (FLORPAN 2032; 5/11/95) Drymonia warscewicziana Hanst. (FLORPAN 1471; 10/13/93) Gasteranthus acropodus (Donn. Sm.) Wiehler (FLORPAN 2012; 5/10/95) Gasteranthus imbricans (Donn. Sm.) Wiehler (FLORPAN 1467; 10/13/93) CLUSIACEAE (GUTTIFERAE) Symphonia globulifera L.f. (FLORPAN 1455; 10/12/93) LEGUMINOSAE Bauhinia guianensis Aubl. (FLORPAN 1993; 5/9/95) Bauhinia reexa Schery (FLORPAN 2066; 5/12/95) Desmodium adscendens (Sw.) DC. (FLORPAN 2074; 5/12/95) Senna fruticosa (Mill.) H.S. Irwin & Barneby (FLORPAN 2052; 5/11/95) LOGANIACEAE Spigelia humboldtiana Cham. & Schltdl. (FLORPAN 2036; 5/11/95) Local namea NR Clrick kon Shukban dwroyo NR Ctnotp ship dwroyo NR NR Complaints or diseases Fever, measles Vertigo Fever Inammation and breast pain Painful breathing Fever Difculty in breathing Fever Fever, intense fever Preparation and dosageb ST: dec: 3 tblsp each 4 h WP: dec: 1 cup each 5 h ST: dec: Taken 1 glass @ WP: dec: applied as cataplasm WP: dec: 1glass qid ST: jc: 1/2 glass each 23 h: 2 days, dec: 1 glass each 23 h: 2 days ST: dec: 3 tblsp each 4 h WP: dec: 1 glass qid ST: dec: 3 tblsp each 4 h or 1 cup qid Modied Ortiz de Montellano and Browner categoryc 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

M.P. Gupta et al. / Journal of Ethnopharmacology 96 (2005) 389401

NR

Body pain

LT: fresh: applied as cataplasm

2 (Coe and Anderson, 1996a, 1996b)

Sron shon kogro Shron shan sho Smagijo Shmo

Diarrhea, bed wetting Headache Conjunctivitis Bodyache

ST + LF: dec: 1 tsp tid ST + LF: dec: a glass each 5 h WP: mac: applied as cataplasm qid ST + LF: dec: used as baths each 3 days

2 (Milliken and Albert, 1996) 1 1 1

NR

Pain and inammation Headache

ST: dec: 1 cup each 23 h WP: dec: 1/2 glass tid

LYTHRACEAE Cuphea epilobifolia Koehne (FLORPAN 1498; 10/14/93)

Reklik dwroyo, Dlue ko

Rheumatism Rheumatism

ST: dec: 1/2 cup tid LF: dec: 1 glass tid. Used as baths

1 1

MALVACEAE Sida rhombifolia L. (FLORPAN 1388; 10/10/93)

NR

Inammation and fractures Difcult birth Facilitate child birth

WP: dec: Used as baths bid LF: dec: 1 cup each 23 h ST: dec: taken 1 glass

2 (Bork et al., 1996) 2 (Bork et al., 1996) 2 (Bork et al., 1996)

MELASTOMATACEAE Arthrostemma ciliatum Ruiz & Pav. (FLORPAN 1981; 5/8/95) Bellucia pentamera Naudin (FLORPAN 1459; 10/13/93) Ossaea quinquenervia (Mill.) Cogn. (FLORPAN 2031; 5/11/95) Triolena hirsuta (Benth.) Triana (FLORPAN 2015; 5/10/95) MELIACEAE Carapa guianensis Aubl. (FLORPAN 2028; 5/11/95) Cedrela odorata L. (FLORPAN 1449; 10/12/93)

Shpa shpa Wru keskes dwroyo NR NR

Urinary infections Chicken pox, measles Fever Nose bleeding

ST + LF: dec: 1/2 cup tid BK: dec: 3 tblsp each 4 h: 4 days. 1 glass qid ST: dec: used as baths ST: dec: 1 glass qid

1 1 1 1

Kionlon NR

Furuncles, skin infections Leishmaniasis

SE: fresh: used as cataplasm or baths BK: dec: used as baths each 2 days

2 (Duke, 1994, Wong, 1976) 2 (Ayensu, 1978; Standley and Steyermark, 1946)

MENISPERMACEAE Cissampelos tropaeolifolia DC. (FLORPAN 1358; 10/8/93) MORACEAE Dorstenia contrajerva L. (FLORPAN 1974; 5/8/95)

Mocri

Cataract

LF: dec: as an eye-wash. Apply 1 drop each 4 h ST: dec: 1/2 cup

Klok wua ko

Diarrhea

2 (Comerford, 1996; Logan, 1973; Nu nez-Melendez, 1975)

MYRTACEAE Psidium guajava L. (FLORPAN 1391; 10/10/93)

NR

Diarrhea

AB: dec: 1 glass each 23 h

3 (Coe and Anderson, 1996b; Gill and Akinwumi, 1986; Ram rez et al., 1988; Gupta et al., 1979; Pittier, 1957)

PASSIFLORACEAE Passiora costaricencis Killip (FLORPAN 1973; 5/8/95) Dgurg tiorku Chest pain Bodyache Pain and snakebite PHYTOLACCACEAE Rivina humilis L. (FLORPAN 1404; 10/10/93) PIPERACEAE Peperomia aff. ebingeri Yunck. (FLORPAN 1410; 10/10/93) Peperonia pellucida (L.) Kunth (FLORPAN 1400; 10/10/93) Piper erubescentispicum Trel. (FLORPAN 1355; 10/8/93) Piper hispidum Sw. (FLORPAN 2030; 5/11/95) NR NR Wocse NR Measles Foot inammation Headache Fever To expel worms Piper peltatum L. (FLORPAN 1420; 11/10/93) POLYGALACEAE Polygala paniculata L. (FLORPAN 2038; 5/11/95) Securidaca diversifolia (L.) S.F. Blake (FLORPAN 1366; 10/8/93) RUBIACEAE Hoffmannia vesiculifera Standl. (FLORPAN 1478; 10/13/93) Manettia reclinata L. (FLORPAN 1486; 10/14/93) Notopleura anomothyrsa (K. Schum. & Donn. Sm.) C.M. Taylor (FLORPAN 1964; 5/8/95) NR Krik dwroyo Di ko To induce and facilitate child birth Fever Fever Stomachache Psychotria emetica L.f. (FLORPAN 1484; 10/14/93) Psychotria psychotriifolia (Seem.) Standl. (FLORPAN 2029; 5/11/95) SCROPHULARIACEAE Scoparia dulcis L. (FLORPAN 1491; 10/14/93) Ro dwroyo Fever ST: dec: 1 cup each 23 h 2 (Kamperdick et al., 1997; Freire et al., 1993; Ram rez et al., 1988; Hasrat et al., 1997) 2 (Adesina, 1982; Coe and Anderson, 1996b; Paijmans, 1976) Ro dworoyo, Slenguo ko NR Chicken pox, fever Fever ST: dec: 1 cup each qid ST: dec: 1 glass tid or qid. ST: dec: 1 cup each 4 h, LF: dec: used as baths ST + LF: dec: 1/2 cup tid RT: dec: 1 glass ad lib. 1 drink each 2 h ST: dec: 1 cup each 34 h 1 1 1 1 2 (Nu nez-Melendez, 1975) 1 NR Satcha Fever Toothache WP: dec: 1 cup each 23 h LF: dec: used as gargles 2 (Mc Clatchey, 1996) 1 Plua koroa Infected wound WP: mac: 1/2 cup each 4 h:3 days WP: dec: used as baths or applied as cataplasm LF: dec: used as baths ST: dec: used as baths ST: mac: used as cataplasm each 23 h LF: warmed or dec: applied as cataplasm or used as a bath bid 1 1 NR Cold ST + LF: dec: po 1 LF: dec: 3 tblsp each 4 h ST: dec: 1/2 glass tid:2 days ST + LF: dec: used as baths 1 1 1

M.P. Gupta et al. / Journal of Ethnopharmacology 96 (2005) 389401

1 2 (Coe and Anderson, 1996b) 2 (Coe and Anderson, 1996b) 2 (Roig y Mesa, 1945)

Chicken pox

LF: dec: 1 glass tid

SOLANACEAE Cestrum nocturnum L. (FLORPAN 2039; 5/11/95) Cuatresia exiguiora (DArcy) Hunz. (FLORPAN 1474; 10/13/93) Lycianthes amatitlanensis (J.M. Coult. & Donn. Sm.) Bitter (FLORPAN 2069; 5/12/95) Witheringia correana DArcy (FLORPAN 1468; 10/13/93) STERCULIACEAE Theobroma cacao L. (FLORPAN 1422; 11/10/93) Kao mite Bleeding FR: fresh: applied as cataplasm 2 (Coe and Anderson, 1996a,b) NR NR NR NR Fever Post-partum birth Headache Fever LF: dec: Used as baths, ST: dec: 1 cup each 23 h ST: dec: 1 glass qid or 3 tblsp each 4 h ST + LF: 1/2 glass each 23 h or 1 glass @ ST: dec: made inhalation 1 1 1 1

397

398 M.P. Gupta et al. / Journal of Ethnopharmacology 96 (2005) 389401

Table 1 (Continued )
Plant: Group/FAMILY/Species THEOPHRASTACEAE Clavija costaricana Pittier (FLORPAN 1503; 10/14/93) TILIACEAE Heliocarpus americanus L. (FLORPAN 1450; 10/12/93) URTICACEAE Pilea microphylla (L.) Liebm. (FLORPAN 1448; 10/12/93) Local namea Complaints or diseases Preparation and dosageb Modied Ortiz de Montellano and Browner categoryc 1

Wohoa dwroyo

To expel worms

BK: dec: 1 glass tid

Lruch kua

To facilitate child birth

BK: mac:23 glasses qd

Crosh Sbiri

Urera caracasana (Jacq.) Griseb (FLORPAN 1441; 10/12/93) VERBENACEAE Lantana trifolia L. (FLORPAN 2054; 5/11/95) Stachytarpheta jamaicensis (L.) Vahl (FLORPAN 1398; 10/10/93) a

Duen, Dwen dwroyo

Chicken pox Warts Measles Foot pain

ST + LF: dec or inf: 1/2 glass each 23 h WP: mac: applied a cataplasm WP: dec: 1/2 cup each 4 h LF: fresh: applied topically

1 1 1 1

NR NR

Fever Neck pain, muscle pain

ST + LF: dec: used as a bath LF: dec: 1/2 glass tid

2 (Duke, 1994; Perez-Arbelaez, 1975) 1

NR: none reported. b Plant part: AB, apex of branch; BK, bark of stem; FR, fruit. FRON, fronds; HT, heart; LF, leaf; LT, latex; RES, resin; RZ, rhizomes; SE, seeds; PT, petioles; RT, root; SC, scales; ST, stem; TB, tubercles; VI, vines; WP, whole plant. Preparation: dec, decoction; mac, maceration; jc, juice. Dosage: tblsp, tablespoonful; tsp, teaspoonful; qd, once a day; bid, twice a day; tid, three times a day; qid, four times a day; po, orally; @, as needed to produce result. c Ortiz de Montello and Browner (1985).

M.P. Gupta et al. / Journal of Ethnopharmacology 96 (2005) 389401 Table 2 Number of plant species for each ethnomedical use Ethnomedical use Various types of pain (back, breast, waist, neck, heart, post partum, body, foot, head, stomach, tooth, rheumatism, fractures) Fever Inammation Snakebite Chicken pox Birth induction and facilitation Diarrhea Measles Leishmaniasis Urinary infections Skin infections (furuncles, ulcers) Vertigos Burns Fatigue, malnutrition, weakness Hemorrhage Nasal hemorrhage Dysmenorrhea Cough Painful and infected wounds Bed wetting Amoebiasis Bruises Contraceptive Arthritis Cataract Purgative Conjuntivitis Liquid retention Insect bites Aggressive dementia Warts Colds Appetite stimulants Depurative Hypertension Flu Blisters Pneumonia Cicatrization Number of species 28

399

26 14 7 7 7 5 5 4 4 4 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

trine of Signatures, which relates the presence of red spots on the leaves to its ethnopharmacologic use for bleeding. On the other hand, the genus Dracontium is widely used to treat snakebite. It is important to stress the similarity between the ethnomedical use of plants of the Teribe and Bribr and Cab ecar group in the region of Talamanca in Costa Rica (Ocampo, 1997).

Acknowledgements We are thankful to the New York Botanical Garden, the Organization of the American States and Proyecto Conservaci on para el Desarrollo Sostenible en America CentralCATIE for the nancial support, to the Teribe Indians for sharing their knowledge and the Queen Runa Santana and abuelos to allow us to carry out this research project. Thanks are due to Dr. Norman Farnsworth of the University of Illinois at Chicago for permitting access to Napralert and to Dr. Salvador Ca nigueral of the University of Barcelona for access to Sci-Finder.

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