A theoretical review on the origin of medicinal practices in humans: echoes from evolution

Authors

  • Washington Soares Ferreira Júnior Universidade de Pernambuco, BR 203, Km 2, S/N, Cidade Universitária, Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil, 56.328-903.
  • Ulysses Paulino Albuquerque Laboratório de Ecologia e Evolução de Sistemas Socioecológicos, Centro de Biociências, Departamento de Botânica, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Cidade Universitária, Recife, Brazil, 50.670-901.

Keywords:

Evolutionary Ethnobiology, Medical Systems, Chemical Ecology, Medicinal Plants

Abstract

Humans have been coping with diseases throughout the evolutionary history. The emergence of medical systems, which integrate knowledge and practices related to health management, can be assumed as one of the reactions of the human species to respond to the pressures of diseases. An intriguing question is related to the understanding of how these systems have emerged in our species. To answer this question, some authors created scenarios to explain the origin of these systems, from an ecological and evolutionary logic. In this article, we briefly introduce some of the key ideas linked to these scenarios and how they may be important in guiding ethnobiology research.

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Published

02/27/2018

How to Cite

Ferreira Júnior, W. S., & Albuquerque, U. P. (2018). A theoretical review on the origin of medicinal practices in humans: echoes from evolution. Ethnobiology and Conservation, 7. Retrieved from https://www.ethnobioconservation.com/index.php/ebc/article/view/126

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Section

Short Review

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