Abstract

Medicinal plants have traditionally been used as a source of affordable and accessible primary health care and are important biological resources. Nevertheless, traditional knowledge of medicinal plants is being lost and the biological resource base is being threatened by expanding urbanization. Over the past 20 years, a number of different stakeholders (researchers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), health care workers, government officials, entrepreneurs, etc.) have been working to counter this trend and the need to coordinate their efforts has become apparent. This project aims to promote applied multidisciplinary research on medicinal plants and their sustainable use in the Southern Cone of Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay) and to devolve the research results to local communities. It will do so by establishing a network of institutions and researchers working on medicinal plants in the region and ensuring efficient exchange of information between them via electronic and traditional means. The network will develop standard methodologies for assessing the safety and efficacy of medicinal plants; a process for assessing the conservation status of native medicinal plants; and appropriate models for in-situ conservation of medicinal plants. The new network will have strong links to the IDRC-supported Central American Network on Medicinal Plants (TRAMIL).

Post-Project Summary

During the first year, the implementing institution (CETAAR - Centro de Estudios sobre Tecnologías Apropiadas de Argentina) invited institutions from other countries to participate in the network. A reference centre in each country was identified: REDE (Rede de Intercâmbio de Tecnologias Alternativas) in southern Brazil; CET (Centro de Educación y Tecnología) in Chile; Sobrevivencia in Paraguay; and CEUTA (Centro de Estudios Uruguayo de Tecnologías Apropiadas) in Uruguay. The reference centres and CETAAR met to work out the operational aspects of the network. They adopted an ethno-pharmacological survey instrument based on the model used by TRAMIL, the Central American Network on Medicinal Plants, for implementation in each of the participating countries. In addition to the survey, three of the research centres carried out activities to promote cultivation and in-situ conservation of medicinal plants. CETAAR experimented with the cultivation of mint and cedar in association, comparing the results with conventional planting. They established parameters for species development, multiplication techniques, productivity, disease control and harvesting. CEUTA, in collaboration with a commercial venture in medicinal herbs, experimented with organic cultivation of medicinal plants in farmers' fields. REDE began raising herbs in a closed system for introduction in family gardens. In all participating countries, community members were encouraged to participate in workshops on the indications and utilization of medicinal plants; as respondents or key informants in the ethno-pharmacological survey; in cultivation experiments; and in the dissemination workshops. Also, the reference centres made and strengthened contact with other groups interested in medicinal plants, including non-governmental organizations (NGOs), universities, community groups, businesses and cooperatives. Contact between members was maintained through e-mail, a website (www.llanten.com.ar) and conventional means such as a magazines, a newsletter and meetings. Samples of the magazine, the newsletter, publications list, etc. are appended to the final report. Also, the results of the country surveys are reported on in detail and annexed to the final report.

Recipient Institution(s)