Medicinal plants from the "Sierra de Comechingones", Argentina

Abstract

Argentina is a country with both rich floral biodiversity and cultural diversity. Traditional herbal medicines are important in the health care of most people, and rely heavily on the use of indigenous plants. An ethnobotanical survey of the "Sierra de Comechingones" made over a 26-year period (1979-2005), indicated that 65 families and 149 different genuses were used in traditional medicines. The use of these medicines was observed to be widespread and prevalent over orthodox medicine. Medicinal native plants from this mountain range make up 31% of the total Argentina medicinal native flora. In addition, there are 15 endemic species that grow only in the region. The botanical name, popular uses, parts utilized, as well as the distribution of these medicinal plants from the "Sierra de Comechingones", Argentina, were summarized. Previous reports on phytochemical and biological activities in relation to cancer, antimicrobials and pesticides were also included.