Dialogue with pregnant women about medicinal plants: contribution to health basic care - DOI: 10.4025/actascihealthsci.v26i2.1579

Abstract

This descriptive, exploratory study discussed the use of plants in pregnant women’s life and its implications for health basic care. Objectives: to identify the plants regularly used by pregnant women; to describe the purpose and preparation of the plants; to analyze the implications for heath basic care. Semi-structured interviews were applied to pregnant women from a public institution of Rio de Janeiro. The results showed that pregnant women’s knowledge about the plants is social and hereditary, being Chamomile, Anise, lemon herb and boldutree leaf the most commonly used, predominantly in tea form. Dialogue reflecting the harm caused by indiscriminate uses of the plants is very important, as well as their toxic and abortive effects. It was also possible to rethink the nursery care, increasing the client’s participation in the health basic actions.