Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by the Andean people of Canta, Lima, Peru

A survey aiming to document medicinal plant uses was performed in Canta Province Lima Department, in the Peruvians Andes of Peru. Hundred and fifty people were interviewed. Enquiries and informal personal conversations were used to obtain information. Informants were men and women over 30 years old, who work in subsistence agriculture and cattle farming, as well as herbalist. Eighty-seven species were colleted and identified that had indigenous uses. Common names, habit, part of the plant used, preparation, administration and illnesses treated were recorded for each species. Results are compared with other ethnopharmacological studies performed in the Peruvian Andes. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.