ARTICLE RISKS AND BENEFITS OF HERBAL MEDICINES : An overview of scientific evidence in the field of medicine in Brazil and Paraguay

This research assesses the risks and benefits of herbal medicine in an overview of scientific evidence in the field of medicine. Objective: to study and assess the risks and benefits of herbal medicine in an overview of scientific evidence in the field of medicine; promoting the health of the population through information and guidance about different diseases and how to use herbal pharmacological preparations for their treatment, with a more dynamic approach and based on the social context, promoting an improvement in the quality of life. Methodology: Production of a scientific article, using a qualitative approach and explanatory investigation of bibliographic research. Carried out in a participatory manner, through group research, bringing journals, articles, books and theses to medical students to build knowledge about the diseases dealt with and treatment by herbal preparations, thus allowing greater assimilation of the topics discussed. The VHL databases were used: LILACS, MEDLINE, MEDCARIB, PAHO-IRIS, WHOLIS. This work is a review article of several types of research on the topic of phytotherapy that reached the state of the art and was here described, transcribed and evaluated in our final considerations. Results: There was an understanding that medical qualification in herbal medicine is of vital importance for the cure and/or treatment of various pathologies. The insertion of phytotherapy in public health services would also be a condition of professional and scientific help in this area, which is so popular and often encourages patients to self-medicate. Final Considerations: The activity allows the application of academic knowledge in promoting community health and favours the creation of new knowledge for medical professionals and the historical recognition of herbal medicine already used by our ancestors, leading to an appreciation of this knowledge now put to evidence for prevention and health promotion.