Use of medicinal plants for anxiety disorders during the covid-19 pandemic in Maranhão (Brazil)

Abstract

Introduction: Anxiety disorders are considered one of the main mental health problems of Brazilians and the covid-19 pandemic has accentuated this problem, triggering an increase in the prevalence of psychological disorders and the use of medicinal plants to alleviate anxiety symptoms. Objective: To carry out an ethnodirected study on plants used by the population of Maranhão during the covid-19 pandemic for the promotion, prevention and/or treatment of anxiety disorders. Methodology: They were applied to the population of Maranhão, aged 18 years or over, in the period from 2021 to 2022, with socioeconomic variables and the use of medicinal plants for anxiety disorders. Results: 406 people were interviewed, the majority female (72%), aged 18-25 years (65%), income of 2 to 3 minimum wages (33%), without comorbidities (94%) and with some type of anxiety symptoms (71%). In recovering from anxiety disorders, 84% reported not using medicinal plants, neither educationally (84%) nor associated with medicines, herbal or synthetics (91%). Among those who use medicinal plants, most used leaves (57%), in natura (58%), in the form of infusion (66%). Our research showed that 77% had an improvement in symptoms when using the plants and 10% had an adverse reaction. Forty-eight species were mentioned, the most cited being Matricaria chamomilla L. (20.53%), Melissa officinalis L. (18.92%) and Cymbopogon citratus D.C. (11.07%). Conclusion: Despite the greater number of inheritances of species scientifically recognized as anxiolytic, validation of this traditional knowledge of other species is necessary.