Plantas medicinais nativas no Ceará: uma revisão integrativa de estudos etnobotânicos (2014-2024)

Abstract

The use of medicinal plants represents one of the oldest therapeutic practices of humanity, being deeply rooted in the popular and traditional knowledge of various communities around the world. In Brazil, especially in the Northeast, such practices remain alive and culturally significant, contributing not only to healthcare but also to the preservation of biodiversity — with emphasis on endemic species — and the strengthening of local identities. This study aimed to systematize ethnobotanical knowledge related to the use of native medicinal plants in the state of Ceará through an integrative review of scientific literature published between 2014 and 2024. The specific objectives included understanding how ethnobotanical research has been conducted during the defined period and region, characterizing the studies according to their geographic scope and the social groups involved, identifying the most frequently recorded ethnobotanical aspects (such as plant parts used and therapeutic indications), as well as quantifying and organizing the diversity of native species mentioned. The methodology adopted was based on the steps of an integrative review, characterized as a basic research study, with a mixed, exploratory, and descriptive approach. Systematic searches were conducted in the databases Google Scholar, CAPES Journals Portal, Scielo, Scopus, and the Virtual Health Library (BVS), using specific descriptors, Boolean operators, and defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of the 735 articles initially retrieved, 34 met the established criteria. The extracted information was organized into spreadsheets and analyzed statistically through absolute and relative frequencies. The results revealed a strong concentration of studies in the southern region of Ceará, especially in the Chapada do Araripe — marked by phytogeographic diversity and the presence of research and academic institutions. A total of 281 native species with medicinal uses were identified, distributed across 72 botanical families, with Fabaceae being the most represented, with 58 species. Approximately 20% of all the species are endemic to Brazil. Hymenaea courbaril stood out for its therapeutic versatility. The most commonly cited plant parts were leaves and bark, and the main therapeutic uses referred to respiratory, gastrointestinal, inflammatory symptoms, and general health conditions. These findings reinforce the relevance of traditional knowledge. Moreover, the studies involved a wide range of social groups, including quilombola communities, Indigenous peoples, herbalists, healers, farmers, and urban residents, highlighting the cultural breadth of medicinal plant use. Ethnobotanical knowledge constitutes widely practiced strategies of care, especially in contexts with limited access to conventional medicine. It is concluded that traditional knowledge on native medicinal plants in Ceará represents a cultural and ecological heritage. Its recognition and integration into public health policies, particularly within the primary care system of the Unified Health System (SUS), are essential to ensuring accessible, safe, and culturally appropriate healthcare, while also contributing to the conservation of local biodiversity and the unique life forms associated with the region’s semi-arid ecosystems.