SEMEANDO SABERES: A ETNOBOTÂNICA E O QUINTAL NA VALORIZAÇÃO DO CONHECIMENTO DA MULHER AGRICULTORA

Abstract

Ethnobotanical studies investigate the different relationships between humans and plants. Traditional communities, such as family farmers, have a strong connection with the natural environment that surrounds them. Over time, these communities developed techniques for managing and cultivating different species grown in their backyards. In most cases, the cultivation of this backyard is done by women farmers, which results in valuable knowledge acquired in their daily lives. This work aimed to investigate the knowledge of a traditional farmer about the plant species present in her backyard, in Bairro Morro Albino, Criciúma, Santa Catarina, southern Brazil. In order to know the history of the farmer and her connection with the plants, a qualitative research was carried out, using the Oral History method - Life History modality. To collect data on the species cultivated by the farmer, a semi-structured interview was used, as well as the guided tour method, with photographic record. 142 species cultivated by the farmer, used for medicinal, food and ornamental purposes were registered. The vast majority of medicinal species are used in the form of tea, prepared from the leaves of the plant. There were several ethnoindications practiced by the farmer for medicinal species, among them the following stood out: increasing immunity, respiratory, cardiovascular, stomach and kidney problems, soothing, insect bites, antibiotics, wound healing, among others. The species used in food had different forms of use, in natura, as fruit or salad, cooked, fried or as a seasoning. The most consumed parts of these species were fruits, leaves, roots and tubers. Ornamental species, for the farmer, play the main role of beautifying the backyard. The study revealed a rich traditional knowledge on how to use plant species, acquired, developed and practiced by the farmer throughout her life.