Diversity of Medicinal Plants used by the “Nahuaxihutil” Organization of Traditional Indigenous Midwives and Doctors from Ixhuatla ncillo, Veracruz, Mexico

Resumo

Knowledge of the diversity of medicinal plants used by a certain human group, is key to understanding the relationship between man, plants and nature. In this work, the Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index was applied to determine the diversity of medicinal species in eight different environments collected by 11 midwives that belong to the “Nahuatlxihuitl” Organization of Traditional Doctors and Midwives of Ixhuatlancillo, Veracruz, Mexico. The work is based on an ethnobotanical list that provided a cognitive domain of 92 species ranked according to their importance (knowledge and use). Recorded values of diversity, equitability and richness indicated fairly diverse environments, demonstrating quantitative and qualitative differences in their use, in accordance with practices, habits and availability of those resources. This differentiated use of medicinal resources is analyzed and discussed.