Saberes andinos en respuesta a la pandemia COVID-19 y sus secuelas en la comunidad de Ilincho, Cantón Saraguro, Provincia de Loja, 2023 - 2024

Abstract

The global COVID-19 crisis has exacerbated the vulnerability of certain groups, including Andean indigenous communities. These communities have had to face health challenges using the knowledge available in their environment, such as the use of medicinal plants, which are an integral part of their culture and ancestral wisdom. This research aimed to: Describe this Andean knowledge that has been applied in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences in the community of Ilincho, cantón Saraguro, province of Loja, using an interpretive approach and a qualitative design, as a method. To obtain data, in-depth interviews were carried out with community social actors from the study population. Regarding data collection, it was carried out through semi-structured interviews that covered three categories: perceptions, knowledge and practices, which were directed to the practitioners of ancestral medicine from said community. The information collected allowed us to better understand the reality of the population and give us a clearer approach to the use of ancestral knowledge during the pandemic; their perceptions, knowledge and practices used as preventive measures and as treatment for COVID-19 and its consequences. The techniques described in the study are: vaporization, kambo, the use of warm and bitter plants, prepared in infusions, juices and in combination with citrus fruits, baking soda, alcoholic beverages. All this knowledge allowed us to improve health conditions and enhance the use of ancestral medicine as an alternative method in terms of prevention, treatment and post-COVID-19 sequelae.