Journal of Clinical & Experimental Pharmacology

Knowledge and medicinal use of edible mushrooms of the Sierra Tarahumara, Chihuahua, Mexico

2^nd International Conference and Exhibition on Pharmacology and Ethnopharmacology

May 02-04, 2016 Chicago, USA

Miroslava Quinonez Martinez, Irma Delia Enriquez Anchondo and Martha Patricia Olivas Sanchez

Universidad Autonoma de Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Clin Exp Pharmacol

Abstract:

Introduction: The Mexico Northern Mountains in the Chihuahua state (Sierra Tarahumara) are inhabited by Native American, known as Raramuris, mixed race, and other ethnic groups. There is a great diversity in edible and medicinal mushrooms all-around of the Chihuahua state counties. Their residents have a long tradition of collecting, use and eating these during the �??rainy season�?�. However, despite the wide diversity of edible mushrooms that grow in these areas, residents have a selective preference. This paper aims to record evidence of the knowledge and use of wild potentially edible mushroom species by inhabitants of towns in the Sierra Tarahumara of Chihuahua, Mexico. Method: Using a semi-structured technique, we surveyed 150 habitants from seven locations. Known fungi and plants, local nomenclature, species consumed, species used for medicinal purposes, preparation methods, appreciation of taste, forms of preservation, criteria for differentiating toxic and edible fungi, other uses, economic aspects, and traditional teaching were recorded. Results: The respondents reported preference as food for four species: Amanita rubescens, Agaricus campestris, Hypomyces lactifluorum, and the Amanita caesarea complex. As medicinal mushrooms, three species are used for the purpose of healing wounds of the skin and to remove grains in the face: Calvatia, Lycoperdon and Astraeus hygrometricus. There are no apparent differences among Sierra inhabitants in terms of gender, occupation, or language regarding the recognition and consumption of species. The rejection of certain species is mainly due to fear of poisoning and the traditional selective teaching of families in the mountain communities of the Sierra Tarahumara.

Biography :

Miroslava Quinonez Martínez graduated in the field of Biology with a Master and PhD degree in the area of Natural Resources from The Autonomous University of Chihuahua in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. She has published books and book chapters relating to the diversity of edible and medicinal mushrooms from the forests of Chihuahua. She has also published articles in national and international magazines focused mainly on studies of diversity, ecology and potential uses of wild mushrooms growing in the forests of the Sierra Tarahumara of Chihuahua, Mexico.

Email: mquinone@uacj.mx