The evidence of medicinal plants in human sediments from Furna do Estrago prehistoric site, Pernambuco State, Brazil

Pollen grains were recovered from six human coprolites associated with five skeletons from Furna do Estrago, Brejo da Madre de Deus county, Pernambuco State, northeast Brazil. The remains are dated between 1730 ± 50 (BETA 145954) and 1610 ± 70 (BETA 145955) years BP (before present). Previously, researchers showed that the local population was infected with intestinal parasites. This is a follow-up study to assess whether or not the population used medicinal plants to treat the symptoms of infection. Pollen from anthelminthic plants and other plants with medicinal and analgesic properties were found in all samples in high concentrations. This demonstrates that plants with medicinal properties were used by the population to adapt to the parasites in the area.