Mururé (Brosimum acutifolium Huber) in the treatment of syphilis in colonial Amazonia: historical data to the actual contribution to treatment

Abstract

Historical ethnobotanical studies of medicinal plants reveal important information about traditional practices of human groups and infl uence current understanding of the use of plants. Th e present article describes the ethnopharmacology of mururé (Brosimum acutifolium) since the XVIII century for the treatment of syphilis and correlates past and present therapeutic use. Th is information contributes to the appreciation of historical records in the contemporary use of natural products. Th e analysis of documental records is important for comparing information available overtime about the medicinal use and application of specifi c species. Th e present research was based on the analysis of a Jesuit work and other complementary documents. Th e medicinal eff ect of mururé is attributed to its latex, and dosage and adverse reactions are described. Historical documents stand out as valuable assets for pharmaceutical technology because they allow comparisons to be made between past and present uses of species as curative agents.