Interculturalidade e farmácias vivas: plantas medicinais nas práticas da saúde indígena

Abstract

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines Medicinal Plants as those that produce a pharmacological action. Based on this premise, interculturality within the Unified Health System (SUS) involves the recognition and articulation between traditional indigenous knowledge and scientific insights regarding these plants. This thesis analyzed the inclusion of the Indigenous Cultivation Agent within the SUS, evaluated the impact of an intercultural training program on medicinal plants for indigenous agents and leaders in Ceará, and analyzed the applicability of an educational product (booklet). The research was developed within the scope of the project "Interculturality and Living Pharmacies in SUS Ceará", coordinated among SESA-CE, UFC, and DSEI-CE. Methodologically, it was organized into three axes: i) a qualitative study based on document analysis and an integrative review regarding the Indigenous Cultivation Agent in pharmaceutical assistance; ii) a quantitativequalitative action research with pre- and post-tests before and after an intercultural training workshop involving 18 agents and leaders from the Tremembé, Tabajara, Kalabaça, Tapeba, and Pitaguary peoples; and iii) a document and content analysis on the applicability of the booklet. Results from the first axis showed that institutionalizing the Indigenous Cultivation Agent expands access to herbal medicines, strengthens community autonomy, and contributes to culturally sensitive care models. The second axis demonstrated significant progress in participants' confidence to guide the population and in the internalization of concepts such as detoxification, exact dosage, and preparation. The results of the third axis demonstrated that the Primary Processing Booklet has high applicability and operational viability within the SUS, aligning quality protocols with unrestricted respect for traditional indigenous healing systems. In conclusion, the articulation among the Cultivation Agent, the intercultural training, and the booklet constitutes a powerful strategy for the qualification and empowerment of leaders, promoting dialogue between pharmaceutical science and ancestral knowledge within the SUS. Ethics Committee Approval: No. 8.327.008 (FACERES/CONEP).