Use of herbal medicine in urban marginal populations in Northern Peru

Among poverty stricken populations in developing countries, the use of herbal medicine is a common health practice motivated not only by cultural beliefs but also by necessity. Access to pharmaceutical drugs is limited, and when available, their prices are prohibitive. This study examined the use of herbal medicine to treat gastritis and related ailments in economically depressed, urban marginal communities in Peru. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with women in 71 randomly selected households. Knowledge of medicinal plants is traditionally passed down through the female line. Information was obtained on demographics and types of medicinal plants and health problems for which they were used. All medicinal plants used to treat gastritis in each household were collected to be categorized by an expert taxonomist in a university herbarium. The sample was predominantly ages 25-55 and of low education and income. From the medicinal plants collected, 26 species were recorded. The most commonly used to treat gastritis were Matricaria chamonilla (80.2 %), Pimpinella anisum (74.6 %), and Mentha piperita (29.5 %). A review of the scientific literature on the efficacy of the identified medicinal plants shows a 79% concordance. The findings suggest that women in this sample have a good functional knowledge of herbal medicine to treat gastritis. It appears that their use is often not an alternative or complementary health practice but the only option for their own survival and that of their families. An understanding of the patterns of healthcare of historically marginalized, underserved populations worldwide is essential to the development of effective, culturally responsive public health without borders.