Comparative Evaluation Between Empirical and Scientific Knowledge About the Use of Medicinal Plants and Their Compounds

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate the empirical use of medicinal plants for the treatment of bacterial infections, compared to the theoretical-scientific foundations, according to the literature.   Theoretical framework: medicinal plants play a very important role in human history. Through empiricism, many lives were saved and in this process Science evolved, transforming popular knowledge into scientific fact. Resistance of microorganisms, especially bacteria, to conventional drugs is a recurring problem that can be solved with the use of active principles present in vegetables that provide the same environmental pressure as microorganisms and, therefore, may be a viable option.   Method: from a qualitative and quantitative approach, using the interview as a data collection method, the research approached respondents in three municipalities, present in three states (RS, SC and PR) that represent the southern region of the country. The method used is known as snowball sampling, or "snowball". The data obtained were compared with the scientific literature, in order to justify or rectify the information provided by the interviewees.   Results and conclusion: the research on the use of medicinal plants for the treatment of bacterial infections resulted in a large number of species mentioned by the interviewees. These were grouped and statistically analyzed in order to understand the importance they represent for the population of the studied states. In addition, comparing the data from the interviews with the knowledge already discovered by science, it was found that popular and cultural knowledge has a scientific basis and that technology can be used in this area so that alternative treatments can be obtained in the future for the most diverse symptoms and symptoms. human health problems. The analyzes showed that the most mentioned plants throughout the study were: Boldo (Plectranthus ornatos), Plantain (Plantago major), Malva (Malva sylvestris L.) and Macela (Achyrocline satureoides).   Research implications: the structure and composition of the work involve a series of issues related to the population, its values, customs and refer directly to the environmental factors that shape and support human life. The social space, in addition to being respected, must constantly evolve and add technology as a facilitator to the essence of knowledge. The expansion of the open science model is essential for these discussions to be expanded and open space for evolution. Brazil is a large country and this makes the logistics of research that cover the entire territory difficult. Thus, partnerships are needed that involve institutions from different states that can support data collection.   Originality/value: this scientific production approached, in an innovative way, relevant facts that can provide a healthy discussion between scientists and the population. The article brings original data, which brings together practical and theoretical research, the universe of popular and scientific knowledge to give evidence to knowledge that is forgotten and goes unnoticed by the academic community. From this debate, there is an attempt to promote more research that adds to this publication and increasingly deepens the scientific facts about the therapeutic potential of bioactives. In addition, ancient knowledge, which has transcended generations and still saves lives, needs to be respected and improved so that scientific institutions return values to citizens, in the form of knowledge, as a way to gratify the role that each person has in managing the environment. Social.