Plants Employed for Hypotensive Infusions in Urban Areas of Argentina

Abstract

Different products of botanical origin employed to prepare infusions for the therapy of hypertension were obtained by means of ethnographic methodology. Studies of the macroscopic and microscopic features of the plant preparations in comparison with described plant species in the literature were performed to identify the composition of these plant products. The analysis of the mixtures showed that 17 species are employed in variable numbers and proportions and also undeclared species were found. The possible therapeutical action as well as eventual toxicity of the identified taxa are discussed.