Abstract

INGA HUILCA, Silvia  and  ZAVALA CALAHORRANO, Alicia. Use of medicinal plants in postpartum women in the Sierra Centro, Ecuador. Vive Rev. Salud [online]. 2020, vol.3, n.9, pp.198-212. ISSN 2664-3243.

Abstract Introduction: The use of medicinal plants is widespread in various parts of the world, depending on the flora and fauna of each region, specifically the high Andean region in Ecuador, women preserve the use of plants with medicinal use in the postpartum period. Objective: To know the use of traditional medicine in women during the postpartum stage. Method: A qualitative, phenomenological research was carried out using grounded theory for data analysis, through semi-structured interviews of postpartum women, families and traditional health providers. An interview was conducted with 15 postpartum women and 22 people among family members and health providers from the Pujilí- Cotopaxi Canton - Ecuador. Results: The data analysis was carried out, finding that the main uses of the plants were in infusion and in plasters. It was divided into 4 groups of categories 1) use of medicinal plants as an infusion for abdominal purification (purge), 2) use of medicinal plants as an infusion for bath (postpartum bath), 3) use of medicinal plants as an infusion for wound cleaning (anti-inflammatory cleaning), 4) use of medicinal plants as a secretagogue (water so that the milk does not dry). Conclusions: The use of plants is part of culture and social development and the community finds four categories of use of medicinal plants in the postpartum period for women in the high Andean region. Health personnel should consider conducting further studies in this specific field, thus helping to preserve the health of mother and child.

Keywords : Traditional medicine; medicinal plants; postpartum; puerperium.

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