Patología andina relacionada al uso de plantas medicinales en los mercados 10 de Agosto, el Arenal y 9 de Octubre, de la Ciudad de Cuenca, 2015

Abstract

Background: In Cuenca the use of medicinal plants in traditional pathologies according to the Andean worldview remains in force, in the markets is common to see people looking for this medicine, so it’s important to study this problem. Objective: Study the Andean pathologies related to the use of medicinal plants in “10 de Agosto”, “Arenal” and “9 de Octubre” markets of Cuenca city. Method: qualitative research, narrative and interpretive approach, involving six wise women of Cuenca markets. Techniques used: direct observation and semi-structured interviews, field notes, recordings and photographs. Data were processed in Atlas.ti categories and diagrams are presented in stories and schemes. Results: Andean diseases commonly treated; in the newborn, “el mal de ojo”; infants, “espanto”; school children, “el shungo”; adolescents and adults “los nervios”. Etiologies: season, unpleasant environments, divine punishment and human causes. Compromises the overall symptoms: irritability, crying and decay. Treatment: Christian faith, cleansing ritual and complementary tools. For the rituals the most used plants are: “chilchil”, “ruda”, “eucalipto” and “flor de guano”. Conclusions: The Andean pathology has laws and own principles, disease mostly addressed: “el mal de ojo”, “el espanto”, “mal de aire” and “el shungo”. It is general symptoms. The treatment is based on ritual tied with medicinal plants and the chicken egg. Each disease is explained based on a magical-religious medicine.