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A Culture and Pharmacy Under Threat
In the lush but somewhat endangered landscapes of southern Bahia, Brazil, an Indigenous community known as the Pataxó Hãhãhãi has fought to keep its ancient forest medicine alive.
For generations, their elders treated illnesses with leaves, roots, and fruits gathered from the surrounding rainforest. But decades of forced displacement, deforestation, and cultural change nearly erased this knowledge.
The story of how one of their own… Hemerson Dantas dos Santos (H.D.S.) … recovered and documented these remedies is not only a tale of healing plants, but also of cultural survival. By using a method called Participatory Ethnobotany, he worked with community elders to blend ancestral wisdom with modern science, ensuring these remedies can be passed down to future generations.
The People of Southern Bahia’s Atlantic Forest
The Pataxó Hãhãhãi live in the 54,000-hectare Caramuru Paraguassu Indigenous Territory, home to around 3,600 people across ten villages. Their heritage blends the traditions of several related ethnic groups, creating a rich tapestry of language, spirituality, and plant-based healing practices.
For centuries, they thrived in forested lands, speaking their own language, practicing traditional spirituality, and using local plants to treat illness. But in the 1920s, government intervention brought outside religion, new farming methods, and foreign diseases.
In 1948, the community was forced from their land entirely. For four decades, cattle ranchers cleared vast areas for pasture. When the Pataxó Hãhãhãi finally returned in 1982, the forest—and many of the plants they once relied on—were gone.
Modern Illnesses, Ancient Remedies
Today, many younger community members reach for pharmacy drugs rather than herbal remedies. The forest plants that once formed the basis of their medicine are harder to find. Some elders still remember how to treat common ailments, but their knowledge is fragmented.
During the research project, three major health concerns emerged: diabetes, intestinal worms, and high blood pressure. These illnesses are tied to a shift in diet, with more processed, sugary, and salty foods replacing traditional fruits and vegetables grown in village gardens.
Participatory Ethnobotany in Action
Instead of outsiders dictating the research process, Participatory Ethnobotany puts control in the hands of the community. Local people help set goals, collect plants, and share in the benefits of the work.
For this project, H.D.S. Pataxó Hãhãhãi worked closely with elders and community leaders to decide which illnesses to study. Over two years, he lived in the village, visiting plant experts, collecting samples, and documenting preparation methods. Each remedy was cross-checked with scientific research to confirm its effectiveness and safety.
Building Trust and Gathering Knowledge
Even though H.D.S. is a member of the Pataxó Hãhãhãi, it took sixteen months to secure legal permissions from Brazil’s health research ethics system, Indigenous affairs office, and environmental authorities. Bureaucracy in the rainforest. Crazy, right?
Once the fieldwork began, nineteen elders and plant experts—aged 50 to 85—were interviewed. Six of them were also spiritual healers who combined herbal medicine with prayer and ritual.
They described local plant names, which parts to use, preparation techniques, and important safety warnings. Together, they collected and preserved plant specimens, which were then identified with the help of professional botanists in Bahia.
The Forest Pharmacy
The research revealed an impressive 175 medicinal plants still in use, with 43 specifically treating the three target illnesses: 20 for high blood pressure, 15 for intestinal worms, and 11 for diabetes. Many plants served more than one purpose.
Almost 80 percent of the remedies had scientific studies supporting their uses. About one-third were native species, while two-thirds were exotic plants that had adapted to the area after forest clearing. Some of the most frequently mentioned included:
- Mastruz (Dysphania ambrosioides) – a well-known treatment for intestinal worms.
- Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) – used to lower blood pressure.
- São Caetano Melon (Momordica charantia) – effective for worms and diabetes.
- Moringa (Moringa oleifera) – used for diabetes.
- Aloe Vera (Aloe vera) – applied for both skin and internal health issues.
Preparing Medicine Sustainably
Two-thirds of the remedies were prepared as teas by boiling leaves, fruits, or flowers. About one-fifth were eaten raw, while others were applied topically. Elders emphasized the importance of sustainable harvesting, favoring leaves and fruits so the plants could survive and regrow.
Safety was another constant theme. Certain plants, like mastruz and sweet potato root, should not be given to children under four, according to the elders. Others, such as Momordica charantia, can be dangerous during pregnancy. Accurate preparation and dosage were considered essential for safe use.
Healing as a Spiritual Practice
In the past, preparing medicine often involved spiritual rituals—prayers over the plants, herbal baths, or asking permission from nature before harvesting. Such practices were also woven into childbirth, community protection, and times of conflict.
When the Pataxó Hãhãhãi reclaimed their land in the 1980s, elders once again prayed for protection during tense standoffs with land grabbers. Today, however, many of these traditions are fading as younger generations spend more time online and less time learning the ways of the forest.
The Advantages and Challenges of Being an Insider
As both a community member and a trained ethnobotanist, H.D.S. enjoyed immediate trust. He knew who the experts were, could speak in the local language, and understood the cultural context of each remedy.
Yet being an insider also brought challenges. It meant looking at familiar customs through a scientific lens, setting aside assumptions, and recognizing the urgent need to document traditions before they vanish.
Preserving Knowledge for the Future
This project did more than record plant names—it created living tools for cultural survival. A medicinal plant garden has been established so important species can be grown and protected. A booklet with photographs, descriptions, and safety tips is being prepared for local use.
By combining traditional knowledge with modern validation, the Pataxó Hãhãhãi have strengthened their ability to address both traditional and modern health challenges.
Why It Matters Beyond This Rainforest Community
This work is a model for Indigenous peoples everywhere. Participatory Ethnobotany ensures that communities control their own knowledge, safeguard their intellectual property rights, and pass on traditions directly to their youth.
For the Pataxó Hãhãhãi, it means maintaining a living connection to their ancestors while adapting to modern realities. For others, it shows that ancient wisdom, when respected and revitalized, can be a vital part of sustainable healthcare in the 21st century.
Despite decades of displacement and environmental loss, the forest pharmacy of southern Bahia is open again—rooted in the wisdom of elders, tended by the hands of the community, and ready to serve generations yet to come. This is a call to all parents and grandparents, regardless of geography and culture, to teach the next generation alternatives to big medicine and its big bureaucratic reach.
