2024-11-182024-11-182023-01-27https://repositorio.ifal.edu.br/handle/123456789/773The Cactaceae family has a great diversity of species. In Brazil, it has occurrence of 81 genera and 483 species, in which 15 genera and 206 species are endemic, with 37 genera and 275 species native to the country. Cacti have different uses and applications in different cultures around the world, being used as a human food resource, ornamental, forage, lumber, recreational, mystical, medicinal, among others; being widely used by man in folk medicine around the world. However, no specific study for the Cactaceae family, encompassing the species used for medicinal purposes throughout Brazil had yet been carried out, so there is a gap. Which species of the cactaceae family are used medicinally by the Brazilianpopulation? What properties do they have? Considering the importance of knowing the diversity of plants with therapeutic purposes, their uses and the potential of Cactaceae species, this study aims to carry out a survey in order to respond to these problems, bringing a historical- cultural context regarding the use of the family for medicinal purposes in Brazil. Therefore, the research was carried out through a literature review, followed by several data analyses. Thirty-four species of Cactaceae that are used medicinally in Brazil were recognized, with the most frequent species being: Cereus jamacaru, Opuntia ficus-indica, Melocactus zehntneri, Xiquexique gounellei and Harrisia adscendens; the first corresponding to 52.9% of the total works analyzed in this study. The most common therapeutic indications for cacti in Brazil were: “kidney problems”, “cough”, “flu”, “fever”, “inflammation” and “bronchitis”. Two species showed a high relative importance index (RI): Cereus jamacaru - RI 2.0, which was also the most versatile species, followed by Opuntia ficus- indica - RI 1.132. The phytochemical compounds and pharmacological actions of the species were characterized in a survey carried out. A variety of medicinal cactus species were identified that are known and used throughout the country, related to the treatment of various health problems in different body systems. Studies such as this one help to protect traditional knowledge, favoring the conservation of floristic biodiversity.ptCC0 1.0 UniversalCactosEtnobotânicaIndicações terapêuticasConservaçãoCactiEthnobotanyTherapeutic indicationsConservationDissertaçãoCIENCIAS DA SAUDE