NO CEARÁ, BRASIL TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND INTERCULTURAL TRAINING: IMPACT OF A WORKSHOP ON MEDICINAL PLANTS FOR INDIGENOUS AGENTS AND LEADERS IN CEARÁ, BRAZIL

Abstract

The use of medicinal plants by Indigenous peoples is an ancestral practice associated with healthcare and cultural identity. Despite their widespread use, many practices lack information regarding toxicity, contraindications, and dosage, which may pose health risks. Within the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), public policies recognize the importance of integrating traditional and scientific knowledge, although intercultural training for Indigenous health agents remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of intercultural training on the knowledge and safety of medicinal plant use among Indigenous Health Agents (AIS), Indigenous Cultivation Agents (AIC), Indigenous Sanitation Agents (AISAN), caciques, and shamans from the Tremembé, Tabajara, Kalabaça, Tapeba, and Pitaguary peoples in Ceará, Brazil. This mixed-methods action research applied pre-test and post-test questionnaires before and after a training workshop. Results revealed broad traditional ethnobotanical knowledge, although accompanied by safety-related gaps. After the training, significant improvements were observed regarding toxicity recognition, proper preparation, dosage, and contraindications. Intercultural training strengthened the dialogue between scientific knowledge and Indigenous traditional medicine within the SUS.