Traditional Medicine in the health systems of communities: A first exploring in Veracruz State, Mexico

Veracruz State has been described as one of the richest states in Mexico, in terms of its medicinal herbal diversity at a local and regional level, and its culture of utilization of such resources in traditional medicine. These resources are valued by their cultural and economic importance and by their usage in the healthcare system. In this study, we explore the value of Mexican traditional medicine knowledge registered in literature on this subject-books, thesis, and publications in ethnobotany scientific journals- from different localities in Veracruz State. We have found reports of a wide variety of plants used to heal different sufferings such as: cough, pain, healing, inflammation, gastrointestinal problems, cancer and diabetes of people who live in communities of Huasteca and Totonaca regions, Nautla, Capital or Central, Mountains, Los Tuxtlas and Olmeca in Veracruz, Mexico. The wide variety of plants found shows us a general scene of Veracruz State's great cultural richness. Some species commonly reported are Bursera simaruba, Tithonia diversifolia, Oenthera rosea, Bidens pilosa, Heterotheca inulodes. The formulations are tea, infusion, cataplasm or washings of the whole plant, root, blossom, bark, stem, leaves or fruits; they are essential to heal each attended illness by people in their communities. This review show that the traditional use of medicinal plants are of great importance due to their healing properties and contributes to an understanding of their biological activity. Furthermore, it will necessary to conduct further researches to evaluate these plants' effectiveness and safety, and to identify the compounds involved in them.