Medicinal plant trade characterization in popular markets of Caracas, Venezuela

Para caracterizar el comercio de plantas medicinales en Caracas, Venezuela, se visitaron cinco mercados populares y 10 herbolarios, entrevistando los vendedores para determinar las especies comercializadas, usos tradicionales, su versatilidad e importancia relativa. Se registraron 198 especímenes, identificándose 164 especies, de 72 familias. La mayoría son cultivadas, pero también se comercializan especies silvestres provenientes de los Andes y Guayana. Se registraron 120 usos, distribuidos en 18 categorías de enfermedades, principalmente del sistema digestivo, infecciosas y parasitarias, piel y tejido subcutáneo. Predominaron las especies multipropósito (164, IVF > 0,5), mientras que 125 presentaron uso significativo (NUS > 20%). El análisis de agrupamiento evidenció la existencia de dos grupos de herbolarios. Se recomienda complementar este estudio con evaluaciones farmacológicas y ecológicas. To characterize the commercial trade of medicinal plants in Caracas, Venezuela, five popular markets and 10 herb stalls were visited. Stall keepers were interviewed to determine which species were being sold and which were their traditional uses. One hundred ninety eight samples were recorded and 164 species from 72 families were identified. Most of these species are cultivated although wild species from theAndes and Guayana have also been commercialized. One hundred twenty different uses of these plants were recorded and categorized according to 18 disease types, especially those associated with digestive system, infectious and parasitic diseases, as well as those related to skin and subcutaneous tissue. Multi-purpose species were dominant (164, IVF > 0,5), while 125 species show significant use (NUS > 20%). The cluster analysis evidences two groups of stalls. A complementary study considering pharmacological and ecological assessments is recommended.