Medical plants use for elderly : Knowledge of risks and benefits

Abstract

Objective:. To evaluate the scientific production about the use of medicinal plants by the elderly and their knowledge about risks and benefits. Method: descriptive, exploratory study with a qualitative approach of the integrative literature review type. Collected in July 2015 through the Scientific Electronic Library Online (SCIELO) and Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS) electronic databases. Totaling 36 articles that after exhaustive reading, only 8 remained to demonstrate the study. Results: The main plants mentioned were: Matricaria sp., Lippia Alba, Cymbopogon citratus, Punica granatum, Pimpinella anisum, Menta sp., Plantago sp., Aroeira, Amburana Cearensis, Anacardium occidentale. It was also observed that this same vulnerable group discontinued allopathic treatment with herbal medicine, with risks of therapeutic failure. Conclusion: Specialized attention is very important regarding the use of medicinal plants by the elderly, in view of their great vulnerability and the possible risks arising from this practice.