Market medicinal lichens in San Carlos de Bariloche (Patagonia, Argentina): local and health state importance.

FLORENCIA CUASSOLO; ANA LADIO; SUSANA CALVELO

Traditions &Transformation in Ethnobotany

CYTED

Año: 2011;

Since ancient times, lichens have been used by humans, mainly for food and medicine. The aims of this work were to study the medicinal lichen flora traded in the Bariloche city, reliably identify the species involved, study the health status of them, and inquire about its importance in medicinal plants in the region. 30 sites were surveyed at random outlet, where interviews were conducted with sales managers. It conducted a survey of all species marketed for identifying the presence of lichens. About the lichens found, sampling to identify the species involved and assessed the health status were analyzed at the laboratory. The species in the price list belong to the genus Usnea, (lichenized Ascomycota), and are named as U. barbata (L.) F.H.Wigg. and U. hieronymii Kremp. The analysis of the samples showed that the material being marketed do not belong to these species, but to Usnea amblyoclada (Müll. Arg) Zahlbr. The health status of the material is unsatisfactory, showing not only the substitution, but also adulterations, as it had a high proportion of substrate attached to the samples. The importance of medicinal use of lichens in the region highlights the urgent need of better controls in the commercialization.