Nursing and the use of medicinal plants as a complementary treatment to systemic arterial hypertension and dyslipidemias

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify the medicinal plants used by organic farmers to treat systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) and dyslipidemias. It was a qualitative research performed between January and May 2009, with 8 families with a total of 19 subjects. They lived in four municipal districts of the South area of Rio Grande do Sul. The results showed that among the 196 referred medicinal plants, 6 were suitable for the treatment of SAH and 6 for the dyslipidemias. Amid the 12 mentioned plants, 6 were found, in pharmacological literature, to present effects associated to the hypotensive action and/or cholesterol level reductions. This healthcare practice is very common amongst the population, so it is evident the need for the health professionals being qualified to advice on the right medicinal plant treatment