Format: ORAL

Nestor A. Ramirez S.1, Yipsyth M. Rodrguez M1, Mara C. Perdomo P1, Carlos A. Mndez P1.

1. Departamento de Ciencias Naturales, programa de Biología Aplicada, Universidad Surcolombiana, Neiva, COLOMBIA

The loss of ethnobotanical knowledge for medicinal purposes has increased in recent decades due to the appearance of technologies or other factors that reduce the importance of the acquisition and dissemination of this knowledge in new generations, causing acculturation processes in the young people of the current societies. Therefore, in this study, the richness of ethnobotanical knowledge present in three populations of different ages (young people 19 years, adults between 20 and 39 years and older adults 40 years) in the urban area of the city of Neiva, was determined. through semi-structured interviews and the collection of data such as the species used, their parts used, the ways of preparation and consumption. Thus, older adults presented a greater wealth of knowledge (RQZ = 100%), reporting peppermint (Mentha spicata L.), calendula (Calendula officinalis L.) and aloe vera (Aloe vera Burm) as the most used to treat gastrointestinal conditions. neurological, musculoskeletal, or other types, using the leaves in greater proportion, due to their great capacity to store secondary metabolites responsible for the relieving effect of different symptoms and pathologies; This part was also used in the preparation of infusions, because it is the most intuitive way of preparing for oral administration. In conclusion, ethnobotanical knowledge is detrimental as populations become younger or very old, due to the growth of acculturation and memory loss due to old age, in addition, the use of plant resources is limited by the lack of vertical transmission of information, accentuated by the loss of biological wealth because of anthropogenic activities mostly related to local urbanization that fuels the degradation of ecosystems.