Brazilian Traditional Medicine, New Plant Species, Deforestation & The Amazon

Deforestation – The Loss Of Cancer Drugs In The Rainforest

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Here’s a Wikipedia Article I found on traditional Brazilian medicine. Unsurprisingly, Brazilians incorporate many plants and fruits into their traditional remedies due to the country’s astounding biodiversity. In particular, scientists are constantly discovering new species of plants with pharmacological properties in the Amazon rainforest. In truth, the Amazon is a barely discovered pharmacopeia which is tragically being destroyed faster than we can identify and test the potential of newly discovered species. We could be missing out on the cure to cancer, leukemia, arthritis, or rich sources of antioxidants. The only ones who truly hold this knowledge are the native tribes who have called the Amazon their home for centuries, and these people are quickly being driven out of their homes and forced to adapt to conditions of poverty and assimilation into modern society as deforestation persists. They may soon lose their culture, and then the secrets of medicinal plants will perhaps be lost to us. Ok, that was pretty heavy, so here’s that article:

Traditional Brazilian Medicine

From Wikipedia

Several parts of the cashew plant, including the bark and seeds, are used medicinally.

Traditional Brazilian medicine (Portugues: Medicina indígena) includes many native South American elements, and imported African ones. It is predominant where indigenous groups and among the black-Native American mestizo population, and in the Northeast coast, nearly all interior regions including Amazon regions, savannahs, rainforest, foothills, and Pantanal. According to Dr. Romulo R. M. Alves, “although Brazil’s health system is public…use of traditional remedies and rituals provide an economical way of healing for much of the populace, but that also does not mean that wealthy Brazilians don’t seek it out as well. Traditional medicine is a deep part of Brazilian heritage.”

The Aruak, Tupi, Yamomami, Krahô, Guarani and other Indians groups are among the native tribes that together with isolated descendants of Africans or Quilombola, and Indians integrated (Caboclo) that are known to almost exclusively practice traditional medicine. Among the plants include edible foods like the cashew, peppers, mangosteen and coconut, but often include inedible parts like the fruits, leaves, husk, bark. Neighboring nations like the Patamona of Guyana also use the cashew.

There is growing interest in Brazilian medicine as the Amazon rainforest is the largest tropical forest in the world, and is home to immense biodiversity, including cures or treatments for many ailments. Japanese scientists have found strong anticancer activity in Brazilian traditional remedies. In one study in 1997 published in The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, only 122 species existing in Brazil could be related to the Chinese species (or 14.35% of the samples)., which means the vast majority of species are not known to Chinese traditional medicine. Thousands and possibly millions of species remain unstudied and/or susceptible to extinction by habitat destruction.

Examples

Examples of modern studies of Brazilian medicine the Acai Palm contains antioxidants active against leukemia. Alchornea glandulosa is used to treat assorted skin diseases, diarrhea, inflammations, leprosy and rheuma. Scientific studies have confirmed most of these effects, and also found extracts of certain species to kill off trypanosoma, some bacteria and fungi, and cancer cells.

Some others include psychoactive plants like Ayahuasca Epena and Jurema used in rituals currently being investigated for their potential use in psychiatry.

pt:Vacina do sapo (Frog Vaccine) is a secretion from the giant leaf frog used by indigenous groups, such as the Asháninka, that is injected into the bloodstream and used in traditional medicine to ward off bad luck, however, only recently have multiple patents are pending for use against ischemia and hepatic injury.

To wrap this up, here are a few vocab words:

desmatamento – deforestation

a amazônia – the amazon

Amazonas – the state in Brazil known for being home to the Amazon rainforest

tribos – tribes

biodiversidade – biodiversity

Common Over The Counter Medicines in Brazil & Their Portuguese Names

Drugstores in Brazil are charming and old-fashioned the way they still are in Europe, and the focus is on medicine, not photo developing or greeting cards. Instead of the American model of self-medication, the Brazilian model is concerned with people’s vulnerability and with pharmacies functioning responsibly, not becoming commercialized. This is why almost all medications in Brazil (sometimes even medicines like Tylenol) are over-the-counter and are handed out appropriately after you have consulted a pharmacist. Many times in Brazil, you will find that you are required to ask for medication, rather than just being able to pick it up. This can be an adjustment, and for many Americans, a hassle, so this post is intended to help you out.

One of the things that people have trouble with when they go to Brazil is finding familiar medicine… I mean, they have Tchilenól and Veequis, but what about Midol, Advil, Tums, Thermacare & Benadryl?

The good news is, here in Brazil, a lot of the medicines used are actually called by their main ingredient! There are tons of different brands, but that’s just a matter of asking around or just asking for the generic and trying your luck.

Also, it will seem that there are many more types of medicines in Brazil than there are here, because their medicine is not as general as ours. For example, if you have the flu (o grippe) in Brazil and you go to the pharmacy (a farmácia / a drogaria) to explain your symptoms, rather than the pharmacist telling you to take motrin for the fever and the pain, and some nyquil to knock you out, they will probably give you several painkillers of lesser strength that are especially made to target exactly where you are having pain or experiencing discomfort, and these will not make you drowsy. For example, they will give you one pill specifically to target the pain of a sore throat, another to lower your fever, and something else specially formulated to clear your congested nose. So you are not getting anything that you don’t need. While ibuprofen exists in Brazil, it is not used nearly as commonly as it is here.

Here are a few names that might come in handy for you!

Dipirona – Overall pain & fever medicine. Kind of like Tylenol, I guess?

Amoxicilina  – This is the antibiotic amoxicillin.

Bicarbonato de Sódio – It’s the main ingredient in any antacid but if you ask for it at the pharmacy, they’ll give you some antacid they have with a different name. One popular medicine is ENO… this is your Alka Seltzer!

Aspirina– Aspirin

Xarope  – Cough syrup. There are many brands (including Vicks!)

Buscopan  – this is a popular medicine for menstrual cramps. Boys, and also for overall stomach pains/cramps.

Dorflex – muscle relief in tiny pills!

Repelente  – Almost anywhere you are in Brazil, you’ll need bug repellent. There’s “Off!” in Brazil, but is amazingly expensive (as is sunscreen / sunblock), so think about bringing your own for your trip.