Creencias y prácticas culturales de uso de plantas medicinales en el contexto de la COVID-19 en pobladores de la Sierra y Selva Central de Perú

Objective: identify the uses of medicinal plants in the context of COVID-19 according to beliefs and cultural knowledge of inhabitants of the Sierra and Central Jungle of Peru. Methods: observational, cross-sectional research, with a quantitative approach. The non-probabilistic sampling of 595 voluntary subjects (residents), who answered a duly validated and reliable questionnaire, was considered. The hypotheses were contrasted with probability of success = 1/10, at 95% statistical confidence. Results: the results indicate that in the most critical moments of the COVID-19 pandemic, the inhabitants of the Sierra and Central Selva of Peru used medicinal plants (eucalyptus, ginger, garlic, matico, lemon, onion, chamomile and borage) to prevent and treat the symptoms caused by SARS-CoV-2, as a result of cultural beliefs and knowledge about the desired effects of its anti-inflammatory and decongestant, expectorant, antitussive, and antiviral properties. Conclusions: medicinal plants, such as eucalyptus, ginger, garlic, matico, lemon, onion, chamomile and borage, were the most used as an alternative in the prevention and treatment of symptoms of COVID-19.