Use of plants in Andean ancestral medicine: perspective of the healers of the Cuenca canton

Ecuador is a highly biodiverse country in flora and with high influence of Andean ancestral medicine. However, although some studies have been carried out in Ecuador, they have not been representative at the Latin American and world level in the development of research in this area. Additionally, most of the few studies in our country have concentrated on the Saraguro (Sierra) and Achuar (Amazon) ethnic groups. Thus, this project proposes the development of a qualitative study whose objective is the description of the use of plants in Andean ancestral medicine focused from the perspective of the healers of the Cuenca canton. The opinions, knowledge and experiences of the healers will be collected through semi-structured interviews and direct observation. From the analysis of this information, results will be obtained that will be useful for future research in the area of ethnopharmacology and ancestral medicine focused on the development of relevant bioconcief for the health needs of the local and world population. The study will be executed through the financing of the Research Directorate of the University of Cuenca and will feature the active participation of teachers and researchers of the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the University of Cuenca with experience in qualitative research and ancestral medicine. Additionally, the project will benefit from inter -institutional collaboration with the University of Azuay in the botanical characterization of plant samples and the University of Alicante in advice on qualitative research methodology.

14th RESEARCH PROJECT COMPETITION