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Table 1 List of plants and their vernacular name and folk use in Brazil

From: Cytotoxic potential of selected medicinal plants in northeast Brazil

Plant species

Family

Vernacular name

Folk use in Brazil

Byrsonima sericea DC.

Malpighiaceae

Murici-da-mata

A decoction of the stem-bark is used to treat fevers, diarrhea, syphilis and kidney disease [26]

Cupania impressinervia Acev. Rodr. var. (revoluta) Radlk

Sapindaceae

Caboatã-de-rego

-

Duranta repens Linn.

Verbenaceae

Pingo-de-ouro

Ornamental [27]

Helicostylis tomentosa (Poepp. & Endl) Rusby

Moraceae

Amoreira-preta

Its fruit is used as a nutritional source [28]

Himatanthus bracteatus (A.DC.) Woodson

Apocynaceae

Janaguba

The latex is topically applied to treat external ulcers and tumors. It is dropped in a liter of water against inflammation and cancer [26]

Ipomoea purga (Wender.) Hayne

Convolvulaceae

Jalapa, batata-de-purga

It is used as an analgesic [29]

Ixora coccinea Linn.

Rubiaceae

Ixora

Ornamental [30]

Mabea piriri Aubl.

Euphorbiaceae

Canudo de cachimbo

-

Miconia minutiflora

Melastomataceae

Mundururu

Its fruit is used as a nutritional source [28]

Momordica charantia L.

Cucurbitaceae

Melão-de-sabiá, melão-de-são-caetano, galinha-de-melão

A decoction of a handful in a liter of water is used as a tea to treat diabetes, parasite infections, rheumatism and diarrhea [26]

Ocotea glomerata (Nees) Mez

Lauraceae

Caneleira, louro-branco, louro-abacate, louro-bravo

The leaves are used to treat hydropsy, digestive problems and high blood pressure [31, 32]

Ocotea longifolia Kunth (Oreodaphne opifera Mart. Nees)

Lauraceae

Canela de cheiro

Fruit oil is used to treat arthralgia and rheumatic diseases [33]

Pavonia fruticosa (Mill.) Fawc. & Rendle

Malvaceae

-

-

Psychotria capitata Ruiz & Pav.

Rubiaceae

-

-

Schefflera morototoni (Aubl.) Maguire, Steyerm. & Frodin

Araliaceae

Matatauba, Marupá

Its fruit is used as a nutritional source and to make local crafts [28]

Solanum paludosum Moric.

Solanaceae

Jurubeba-brava, jurubeba-roxa

An infusion of the roots is used to treat hepatic diseases. The fruit is used as a poison [26]

Xylopia frutescens Aubl.

Annonaceae

Embira, semente-de-embira

Its seeds and fruits are used as a digestive aid (a decoction of a teaspoon in a cup of water). It is used as a tea after meals [26]

Zanthoxylum rhoifolium Lam.

Rutaceae

Mamica de cadela, mamica de porca

The roots are used as a febrifuge, digestant and tonic. The stem bark is used to treat flatulence, colic, dyspepsia, ear aches, toothaches and snake bites [34]