Current Use Value of Medicine Plants in three 1 maya communities of the Yucatan

Abstract Twenty diseases were identified as being treated with herbal remedies, predominantly gastrointestinal issues (diarrhea, vomiting, stomachache, colitis, and dysentery) and chronic degenerative conditions (cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, hypertension). Cultural diseases (bad air, evil eye, fright, cold sweat) remain reported. Eighty plant species across 43 families were documented for medicinal purposes. The most culturally valued and frequently used species include rue (Ruta graveolens) with 0.42 UV and 43% FL, sour orange (Citrus aurantium) with 0.42 UV and 43% FL, oak (Ehretia tinifolia) with 0.39 UV and 39% FL, and Ts’uts’uk (Diphysa yucatanensis) with 0.36 UV and 36% FL. While the use of introduced plants is rising, native species still hold significance. Herbal medicine remains widely practiced, especially among individuals over 35, who possess the most knowledge. These Mayan communities in the Yucatan Peninsula are experiencing constant change, driven by diverse political and economic forces. The region’s rich natural resources and significant tourist value contribute to the gradual abandonment of traditional plant medicine.