Perspectiva e potencialidades para criação de um curso de Mestrado em Plantas Medicinais e Fitoterápicos na Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro - UFRRJ

Abstract

In all eras and culture, human being has learned to take advantage from local natural resources, including the use of medicinal plants. Therefore, phytotherapy has presented great potential for economic and social development, considering not only Brazilian plant diversity, as well as medicinal plants has closely been associated to popular culture. In the last 25 years, 77.8% of the anti-cancer agents tested becoming unquestionable their contribution to new drugs development (Nogueira et al, 2010). On the other hand, the University has been responsible for following reality and time, as well as generating knowledge and critical mass for transforming verities for the benefit of the society, training ethical and competent professionals and citizens committed to the well-being of present and future society. Need for Stricto Sensu Post Graduation course for professional generation in the quality processing, production and control from plant raw material to herbal products has been fundamental to understand the differences between the concept of phytotherapic as medicine and the use of medicinal plants in Integrative and Complementary Therapies, always observing the rational relevance of its use. Thus, this study aimed considering the UFRRJ potential by interdisciplinary and multiprofessional manner proposing the establishment of a Stricto Sensu Post Graduation course in phytotherapics and medicinal plants prioritizing the formation of human resources acting in whole productive chain from plant raw material harvested in the field and its processing to phytotherapic medicine industrial manufacture, as well as establishing criteria for the rational use of medicinal plants within the context of the Practices of Integrative and Complementary Actions of Health Ministry for health professionals besides complying with the National Policy Guidelines for Medicinal Plants and Phytotherapics. This qualitative, descriptive and exploratory research was carried out at Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ) in Seropédica municipality-RJ. Data from January to July, 2016 were collected. Open unstructured interviews of participant observations by telephone and e-mail with professionals working in related areas were the instruments used. As a result, the UFRRJ, for its tradition in Agricultural Sciences teaching and research has presented in its Institutes, Departments, Disciplines, Laboratories and Research Groups all the potential and infrastructure for organizing and complying with the implementation of Phytotherapics and Medicinal Plants Stricto sensu Post Graduation course .