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Herbal Medicine Use In Costa Rica: A Case Study Examining Herbal Medicine’S Utilization And Cultural Significance, Jules Schlicting-Bader

Theses and Graduate Projects

Introduction: Herbal medicine has been widely used in the past and present, as it is deeply rooted in many cultures' histories. Literature Review: Herbal medicines are used for health maintenance and treatment in Costa Rica. The country's rich natural environment, accessibility, and tradition led to prominent herbal medicine use. Annona muricata (Soursop), Uncaria tomentosa (Cat's Claw), Mikania species (Guaco), and Neurolaena lobata (Gavilana) have commonly been used in Central American medications and have diverse indications based on their plant parts.

Case Study: A discussion with an herbalist, founder, and citizen of Longo Mai, a community in southern Costa Rica, was …