Ethnobotany in Brazil: a historical reflection

Abstract

Human beings have always had a close relationship with nature, and research with plants to cure health-related problems has been an activity of human beings for thousands of years. Popular knowledge about plants is commonly passed from generation to generation among communities, and the wealth of knowledge about plant biodiversity serves as a basis for the discovery of other plant species to be researched for therapeutic purposes. Ethnobotany is the science that studies the interaction of plants with man throughout history, the empirical treatment used to treat diseases with plants, and the differences in culture and diverse ways of interpreting, explaining and treating disease contribute to understanding man himself.  The study of medicinal plants is widely discussed due to its importance, especially in countries with such a rich biodiversity as Brazil. Given the importance of the theme, this article aims to discuss the history of ethnobotany in Brazil, through a discussion of the people who contributed to the knowledge we have today about medicinal plants.