Traditional medicinal plants used for gastrointestinal disorders: an ethnobotanical study in Pisaflores, Hidalgo, Mexico

Eduardo Alberto Lara-Reimers; Pedro Pérez-Rodríguez; José Eduardo García-Martínez; José Antonio González-Fuentes; Luis Alonso Valdez-Aguilar; Fidel Maximiano  Peña-Ramos; Alfonso Rojas-Duarte; Jaime Antonio Ruiz-Hernandez; Eloy Fernández-Cusimamani

doi:10.55779/nsb18212880

Authors

Eduardo Alberto Lara-Reimers Antonio Narro Autonomous Agrarian University, Forest Department, Saltillo (MX) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7321-8129
Pedro Pérez-Rodríguez Antonio Narro Autonomous Agrarian University, Department of Soil Science, Saltillo (MX) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7220-311X
José Eduardo García-Martínez Antonio Narro Autonomous Agrarian University, Department of Animal Nutrition, Saltillo (MX) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0612-7040
José Antonio González-Fuentes Antonio Narro Autonomous Agrarian University, Department of Horticulture, Saltillo (MX) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8740-3931
Luis Alonso Valdez-Aguilar Antonio Narro Autonomous Agrarian University, Department of Horticulture (MX) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2510-1962
Fidel Maximiano Peña-Ramos Antonio Narro Autonomous Agrarian University, Department of Soil Science, Saltillo (MX) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8043-0128
Alfonso Rojas-Duarte Antonio Narro Autonomous Agrarian University, Department of Horticulture, Saltillo (MX) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1744-2417
Jaime Antonio Ruiz-Hernandez University Juárez of Durango State, Faculty of Economy, Accounting and Administration, Durango (MX) https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2689-6952
Eloy Fernández-Cusimamani Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Prague (MX) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7835-9310

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55779/nsb18212880

Keywords:

ethnobotanical indices, ethnomedicine, Hamelia patens, intestinal parasites, pharmacological validation, therapeutic compounds, traditional knowledge

Abstract

Gastrointestinal disorders are frequent in rural communities where traditional medicine remains an important component of primary healthcare. This study documented the ethnobotanical knowledge of medicinal plants used for gastrointestinal disorders in Pisaflores, Hidalgo, Mexico. A total of 150 structured interviews were conducted in 20 localities, and 67 plant species belonging to 37 families were recorded. The most frequently cited species included Hamelia patens Jacq. and Perymenium berlandieri DC., while Asteraceae and Lamiaceae were the most represented families. Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) analysis showed the highest agreement (ICF = 1.000) for detoxification, ulcers, laxative use, weight loss, and menstrual cramps, followed by gastritis (ICF = 0.954), dysentery (0.942), nausea (0.933), abdominal pain (0.929), vomiting (0.920), diarrhea (0.918), and intestinal worms (0.913). Traditional knowledge was transmitted mainly through family oral traditions (93%), whereas only a minority of informants consulted traditional healers (7%). Although most informants cultivated medicinal plants in home gardens, wild harvesting remained common, and only 0.67% purchased medicinal plants. This study provides the first systematic ethnobotanical documentation of medicinal plants used for gastrointestinal disorders in Pisaflores and highlights the need for conservation strategies, sustainable harvesting, and pharmacological validation of the most cited species.

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