Metodologias ativas sobre a fitoterapia popular para a educação ambiental: aplicação em escolas de Igarapé Miri-PA

Abstract

The use of home remedies prepared with medicinal plants is common among traditional communities, especially in regions of low economic development or in rural areas, where the population's difficulty in accessing industrialized medicines, determines the treatment of their diseases using medicinal herbal preparations. An example of these applications is the use of herbal teas, a common practice in indigenous, cabocla, riverside, rubber tappers, quilombola, fishing communities, small farmers and extractivistas. However, it is essential that the use of these resources and associated knowledge takes place in a safe and sustainable way. In Brazil, environmental education has been implemented in the school curricula of the Ministry of Education since 2012, at all educational levels. This work aims to develop instruments of active methodology, in the form of accessible and low-cost materials, to encourage students to discuss medicinal plants and, based on the discussion, promote the valorization of popular knowledge about the use of medicinal plants in human health care and the environment. After applying questionnaires to the research participants, including students and residents, it was observed that 85% of them have a cell phone, which will facilitate the learning, use and dissemination of these methodological instruments. The majority (70%) of the interviewed students are in the age group of 20 and 30 years, which can contribute to arouse interest in the application. With the interviews, it can be seen that the use of medicinal plants is more frequent among people of advanced adult age, having received a strong influence from ancient customs and traditions. Among the interviewees who reported having knowledge about medicinal plants, it was possible to observe that the majority are female, since they are responsible for the preparation of food and home remedies and for the care of vegetable gardens. It was emphasized that the practice of active methodologies within schools, requires the involvement not only of teachers, with students, but also the participation of the entire community around the school environment. The methodological instruments developed (card games, gymkhana, vegetable gardens and a specific application) were donated to public elementary and high schools in the riverside region of the municipality of Igarapé Miri.