The present study aimed to identify the different uses of medicinal plants native to Caatinga biome in a rural community from Caicó Municipality, Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil. Semi-structured and structured interviews with local specialists were used to collect information about the use of such plants. The medicinal uses of 62 species were described by 12 informants (woodsmen, faith healers, herb doctors, farmers and housewives) older than 35 years. The most representative families reported in the survey were Fabaceae (13 spp), Euphorbiaceae (6 spp.), Cactaceae (3 spp.), and Lamiaceae (3 spp.). The degree of consensus among responses was adopted to determine the most important species. The species "aroeira" (Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão) and "cumaru" (Amburana cearensis (Allemão) A. C. Sm.) were most frequently mentioned and indicated for therapeutic uses. Barks and roots were the most consumed parts. The data obtained in this study indicated a diversity of flora species with medicinal potential in Seridó region (Rio Grande do Norte State) and reinforced the importance of biodiversity in rural communities, starting the study on the local vegetation management.
Caatinga; rural community; ethnobotany; medicinal plants; Rio Grande do Norte
