Abstract
Objective: To assess the knowledge and use of medicinal plants and herbal medicines in adults of the pastoral health of a city in Paraná, and assess changes in consumption related to the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Methods: A qualitative observational exploratory study in the format of a semi-structured interview script. Participants were recruited through the Facebook network and data were transcribed and analyzed according to content analysis. Results: Ten subjects aged 32-60 years participated in the study, with a prevalence of females and the origin of practices was through mothers’ care with their children. In only five species popular knowledge was different from scientific knowledge. Regarding behaviors of social isolation and use of anti-flu teas, participants reported they would use medicinal plants without medical supervision only in case of positive diagnosis. Conclusion: Most knowledge and practices were acquired in the family environment, and women were the main owners of this knowledge and responsible for spreading it. Better knowledge about the form of preparation of tender plants is needed for the effective extraction of their active principles. Patients exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus may exhibit inappropriate behavior regarding the consumption of medicinal plants induced by fear.