Deciphering the historical tapestry of medicinal plants and remedies in Brazil: an analysis of sales records from the Botica Real between 1806 and 1818

Abstract

This study aims to explore previously overlooked facets of the commercialization and utilization of medicinal plants and their derivatives in the "Botica Real" (Royal Apothecary) from 1806 to 1818. Using primary sources from the National Library of Brazil, the National Archives, the Brazilian Historical and Geographic Institute, and online newspaper libraries, a thorough document analysis was conducted. Key documents include the "Regimento dos preços dos medicamentos símplices, preparados e compostos", lists of shipments from the “Botica Real” in Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro (Brazilian states), "Post-mortem Inventories" of merchants, and the "Pharmacopoeia Geral para o Reino e Domínios de Portugal". The examination of these documents unveiled terms related to medicinal species, their scientific names, parts used, and application methods. These terms were categorized by their origin (animal, vegetable, or mineral), with a particular focus on plant species, where botanical nomenclature was updated. The research highlighted an evolution in the number of terms associated with medicinal plants, increasing from 219 in 1806 to 303 in 1818, with a total of 156 identified species across 58 botanical families. Notably, Lamiaceae had 15 species, followed by Asteraceae (14) and Fabaceae (12). Exotic species constituted 85%, while naturalized and native Brazilian species comprised 9% and 5%, respectively. The study documented various pharmaceutical preparations, predominantly in solid, liquid, and semi-solid forms, with spirits, elixirs, and solutions being the most common, along with tinctures, fluid extracts, and compounded powders. This historical survey not only sheds light on past pharmaceutical practices with medicinal plants but also offers valuable insights for contemporary phytotherapy.

Graphical abstract