Use of medicinal plants by users in primary health care: a complementary approach to conventional treatment

Abstract

Introduction. The trajectory of the use of plants for medicinal purposes highlights a long tradition of empirical and scientific knowledge about the healing properties of plants, documented from the Sumerian civilization to records such as the Ebers Papyrus and Jewish and Christian scriptures. Main goal. This study aims to analyze research that addresses the benefits of using medicinal plants in improving the quality of life of users in primary health care, highlighting the importance of this practice for everyday well-being. Methodology. This is an integrative review with a qualitative research approach that allows a combination of scientific evidence, both from experimental and theoretical studies, to construct a comprehensive analysis on a specific topic. Being consulted in the databases: Nursing Database (Bdenf), National Library of Medicine's (Medine) Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (Lilacs,) Brazil Scientifoc Electronic Library Online (SciELO), with a clipping temporal period of articles published between the years 2018 and 2024, where 13 articles were used to construct this study. Results. It highlights the integration of Integrative Practices in the SUS, highlighting the benefits of plants as a therapeutic complement and cultural value. Speech. In a reciprocal manner, the use of these plants by the population results in improvements in the quality of life, providing the acquisition of experience and the exploration of plant species that would otherwise be inaccessible in different regions in health care practices. When analyzing cultural and regional aspects, it is clear that the prevalence of the use of medicinal plants in the North-Northeast regions is intrinsically linked to the marked influence of indigenous ancestry in these areas, as well as the active participation of family farming producers. Conclusion. Therefore, based on this study, we concluded the importance and effectiveness of Integrative and Complementary Health Practices, particularly in the use of medicinal plants, in the context of Primary Health Care in the Unified Health System.