Medicinal Plants

Use by graduation pharmacy students from Faculdade de Jaguariúna (FAJ)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze the use of medicinal plants by firstyear students of Pharmacy Graduation Course of Faculdade de Jaguariúna (FAJ).Were included 23 pharmacy graduation students of FAJ. Among them, 13 students (56,5%) used medicinal plants; 9 (69,2%) used peppermint, 9 (69,2%) used boldus, 8 (61,5%) used fennel and 7 (53,9%) used lemon grass; 13 (100%) used it as tea and 3 (23,1%) as capsules. The major indications were: tranquilizers (7-53,9%), flu and cold (5-38,5%) and stomach pain (4-30,8%); 13 (100%) used plants indicated by their relatives, 3 (23,1%) by their physician/ neighbor and 2 (15,4%) by a pharmacist; 9 (69,3%) do not tell their physicians that used medicinal plants; 13 (100%) were satisfied with the clinical results; 13 (100%) have obtained plants from their own plantation and 2 (15,4%) have obtained from pharmacies. Therefore, the conclusion was that there is a high use of medicinal plants, especially teas with tranquilizer, cold and flu purposes, indicated mainly by relatives. The majority of students do not tell their physicians about use of medicinal plants. It become evident the urgency of health professionals to be aware of this acknowledgement to make possible the promotion of rational use of medicinal plants and phytotherapics