Preserving Traditional Knowledge: Cultural Erosion of Plants Used Against Parasitosis

Background: Medicinal plants are a primary healthcare resource in rural and suburban communities, particularly for infectious diseases such as intestinal parasitosis. However, traditional knowledge is increasingly threatened by urbanization and limited intergenerational transmission. This study aimed to document and analyze the ethnopharmacological knowledge of medicinal plants used for parasitosis in five suburban communities of Campeche, Mexico, and to assess its conservation status. Methods: A crosssectional descriptive study was conducted using 247 semi-structured interviews in Castamay, Nohakal, Tikinmul, Kobén, and Imí. Data on plant knowledge, use, preparation, cultivation, and transmission were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics and ethnobotanical indices, including relative frequency of mention (RFM), relative frequency of citation (RFC), and community knowledge index (CI). Results: A total of 76% of respondents reported knowledge of at least one antiparasitic medicinal plant. The most cited species were Dysphania ambrosioides, Cocos nucifera, Origanum vulgare, Artemisia vulgaris, and Ricinus communis. Most plants were also used as food or condiments, although D. ambrosioides was specifically recognized for its antiparasitic properties. Higher CI values were observed in Castamay (4.29), Tikinmul (3.87), and Nohakal (3.80), whereas lower values were found in Kobén (2.89) and Imí (3.30). Knowledge transmission and cultivation practices were limited across communities. Conclusions: Suburban communities in Campeche retain relevant ethnopharmacological knowledge; however, lower knowledge indices in more urbanized communities suggest ongoing cultural erosion. These findings highlight the need to strengthen documentation, intergenerational transmission, and sustainable management of medicinal plants to support both biodiversity conservation and culturally appropriate public health strategies.