Traditional use of biodiversity components by rural families of the Peñas y Piñas communities, Julcuy Traditional use of biodiversity components by rural families of the Peñas y Piñas communities, Julcuy

Abstract

In the Las Peñas and Las Piñas de Julcuy communities, an ethnobiological investigation was carried out, based on the gaps in information regarding the components of diversity used by the inhabitants of the rural communities. The main objective was to identify the biological resources used by the families of the Peñas and Piñas communities, in the Julcuy parish, with emphasis on their use within natural and traditional medicine practices. To carry out this project, a semi-structured interview was applied, using the Snowball technique. The results show that the interviewees are over 51 and 60 years old in both communities. Among the plants most used for medicinal purposes, Origanum vulgare L. and Mentha spicata L. are mentioned, and with regard to fauna, the most cited were: Bothrops atrox L. and Capra hircus aegagrus. The most frequently cited diseases or ailments are those of the digestive system and these are treated with various parts of plants, such as the leaf or the entire plant, respectively, while animals use meat and other parts of the body. Regarding the plant habitat, the residents mostly grow crops in home gardens and raise small animals in their patios. By knowing the diversity of the sector, management plans can be made for the proper use of species with medicinal properties that were registered, taking advantage of the benefits they provide.