| This study investigated plant use by Q'eqchi' Maya healers (Southern Belize) in the context of ethno-psychiatric and neurological conditions. The healers recognize eight of these disorders, which they treat with 82 identified plant species. Moreover, the Piperaceae family is the plant family most selected by the healers for these purposes. In a second section, the etiological basis of susto, a folk illness known throughout Latin America, was investigated. Some plants used by most of the healers showed anxiolytic and/or fear suppression activity. In addition, rituals surrounding the treatment process may have calming effects, and many plants used for susto are often used to treat mental/neurological disorders as well. This strengthens the basis for the inclusion of psychological/neurological factors in susto. A third section gives insights into the domestication and conservation of key medicinal species, indicating that harvesting practices are sustainable in the current context. |
