EVALUATION OF THE USE OF MEDICINAL HERBS IN THE TREATMENT OF GEOHELMINTHIASIS.

Danielle Feijó de Moura 1 , Roberta de Albuquerque Bento da Fonte 2 , Dayane de Melo Barros 1 , Priscilla Gregorio de Oliveira Sousa 1 , Marllyn Marques da Silva 1 , Silvio Assis de Oliveira Ferreira 3 , Gisele Priscilla de Barros Alves Silva 4 , José André Carneiro da Silva 4 , Isla Ariadny Amaral de Souza Gonzaga 5 , Bárbara de Azevedo Ramos 6 , Amanda Virgínia Barbosa 6 and Tamiris Alves Rocha 7 . 1. Mestre em Saúde Humana e Meio Ambiente – Centro Acadêmico de Vitória, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, CAV/UFPE – Pernambuco, Brasil. 2. Doutora em Nutrição – Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, UFPE – Pernambuco, Brasil. 3. Mestre em Bioquímica e Fisiologia – Universidade Federal de Pernambuco – Pernambuco, Brasil. 4. Especialista em Saúde Pública – Faculdades Integradas da Vitória de Santo Antão, FAINTVISA – Pernambuco, Brasil. 5. Bacharel em Enfermagem – Centro Acadêmico de Vitória, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, CAV/UFPEPernambuco, Brasil. 6. Mestre em Ciências Biológicas – Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, UFPE – Pernambuco, Brasil. 7. Doutora em Ciências Biológicas – Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, UFPE – Pernambuco, Brasil. ...................................................................................................................... Manuscript Info Abstract ......................... ................................................................................. Manuscript History Received: 08 January 2019 Final Accepted: 10 February 2019 Published: March 2019

Medicinal plants are being used by man both in food and for therapeutic purposes over time. Brazil, it is considered a common practice to. Popular knowledge about the use of medicinal plants has spread among the generations. However, there must be legitimacy of the therapeutic assignments of these plants. Currently, scientific research has proven the medicinal action of plants, through its in natura use or by isolation of its active principle. Among the species that have been highlighted for their therapeutic efficiency are Eucalyptus globulus and Ficus glabrata, which in turn have demonstrated antihemintic action. The helminthiasis are diseases caused by geohelminths, being linked to the absence of basic sanitation and improper habits of hygiene. In this way, the objective of the study was to evaluate the use of medicinal herbs as a form of treatment to the geohelminthiasis. The study was conducted with 28 women in a public school in Pernambuco. The participants answered a questionnaire about the use of medicinal plants in the control of geohelminthiasis. When analyzing the data, it was observed that 50% of the interviewed women reported using the plants for the treatment of verminoses, and most of them learned to use them with their relatives. Among the plants used are: mastruz, boldo, hortelã and babosa. A significant portion of women grow these plants in their own home. In relation to the ingestion of these plants, the majority consumed in the form of juice. With the obtaining of the data, it was verified that a great part of the interviewees use medicinal plants in the combat to verminoses based on the empirical knowledge. Some of the species that have aroused interest in health research with scientific evidence for its benefits are Eucalyptus globulus commonly used to combat diseases of the respiratory system, in addition to presenting anthelmintic potential (SCHULZ, 2002). Another plant that has been well studied is the Ficus glabrata which, proved to be effective in combating Ascaris lumbricoides (SOUZA et al., 2013).
Helminthiasis are diseases that affect thousands of people worldwide, these diseases are transmitted by helminths of many different species. They are generally related to the absence of sanitation and inadequate hygiene habits, among these diseases, the most common are those caused by the geohelminths as Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and the hookworms (COSTA-MACEDO, 2007). People who are parasitized by helminths are commonly treated with anthelmintic drugs that are considered safe, effective and inexpensive, however, phytotherapy has been gaining prominence in the treatment of these diseases (AWASTHI et al., 2003). The objective of this study was to conduct research on the use of medicinal herbs as a form of treatment to the geohelminthiasis.

Methodology:-
The study was conducted with 28 women, mothers of schoolchildren from a public elementary school system in Vitória Santo Antão -Pernambuco, after signing the Written Informed Consent Form (WICF) for persons over 18, resolution 466/2. They answered an interview with questions about the use of medicinal plants in the treatment of helminthiasis. In the interview, some variables were considered, as shown in Table 1.

Results:-
In analyzing the variables, 28.42% of the interviewed women were illiterate, 32.15% read and write, 14.8% had completed elementary education and 32.15% had education average full. In the questioning about the use of medicinal plants in combating helminthiasis, 50% stated that they used them while 50% refused to use them ( Figure  1). Regarding the environment in which people learned to use medicinal plants, 71.43% said they went through the family and 28.57% said they learned through friends (Figure 2). The medicinal plants most used for the control of worms were: mastruz (Dysphania ambrosioides), boldo (Peumus boldus), hortelã (Mentha spp.) and babosa (Aloe Vera). In terms of access to medicinal plants, 78.58% said they cultivate the plants in their own homes, 14.28% buy them in pharmacies and 7.14% obtain through the market (Figure 3). And when asked how to prepare the natural remedy, 64.28% do it as juice and 35.72% do the preparation in the form of tea (Figure 4)

Conclusions:-
With the data collection, it was verified that 50% of the women interviewed use medicinal plants to combat verminoses based on empirical knowledge, demonstrating a considerable number of people who are adept at the use of natural sources with possible therapeutic action. However, it is important that people are encouraged and properly oriented to use a particular group of herbs that have proven safety and efficacy.