Abstract

ACOSTA DE LA LUZ, Lérida Lázara. Presence of medicinal plants in a community human development project. Rev Cubana Plant Med [online]. 2012, vol.17, n.4, pp. 446-451. ISSN 1028-4796.

Introduction: the setting up of projects for the creation of ecological backyards with medicinal plants within the sustainable development program called "Promotion of Human Development". Objectives: to contribute to the transformation and remodeling of small spaces found in houses such as backyards, balconies, roofs, gardens, etc., so that they could contribute to sustainable lifestyles and to the improvement of the quality of life. Methods: some of these projects were carried on in some urban and rural territories like Guanabacoa, Luyanó, San Antonio de los Baños, Alquízar y Guanajay. The participatory diagnosis methodology allowed reaching, after tours of the various localities, dialogue and discussion with every owner of an unused place, a preliminary diagnosis with useful information and the level of awareness about what should be addressed: analysis of their problems and needs; possible interests and solutions, present conditions, recommendations on the things that the owner desired to change, keep, incorporate or eliminate. It was also possible to learn about the training and advisory requirements in these settings. Results: more productive spaces since the owners obtain medicinal plants, seasonings, vegetables, fruits, ornamental plants, ecological raising of rabbits, chicken and fish, based on individual resources; the exchange of productions among the backyards, the sale of plants in bags, the mounting of a sun dryer facilitating the drying of some plants for medical use and of some seasonings, their distribution and community-wide sale; the recycling of residues from the community setting and their use as organic fertilizer as well as the reuse of disposable containers. All this has provided the community with better health and food quality, obtaining of some additional financial resources, the materialization of experiences in developing ecological agriculture to preserve the natural resources and the local culture, thus contributing to the environmental sanitation of the neighborhood. Conclusions: this initiative not only raises the level of knowledge about the medicinal plants and the environmental culture of those sectors lacking the formal channels to learn about these topics, but represents the road towards the building of sustainable communities that can live in harmony with their environment.

Keywords : medicinal plants; sustainable development program; environmental culture; ecological backyards; health improvement; quality of life.

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