TF015 IAI

Rescuing the ethnobotanical knowledge of the Ngäbe-Buglé ethnic group for the sustainable use of America’s forests

Principal Investigator (PI): Ana Cristina González V., Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá

E-mail: ana.gonzalez1@utp.ac.pa

Duration and amount: 

July 2025 – July 2026 USD 10,000 

SENACYT Co-funding: 

USD 20,000 

Participating country:  

Panama

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

This project aims to preserve and document the traditional knowledge of the Ngäbe-Buglé ethnic group regarding the use of native medicinal plants in the communities of Santa Marta, Nueva Estrella, Guabal, Quebrada Negrita, Coclesito, Barranquilla, and Cilico Creek, Comarca Ngäbe-Buglé. Traditional medicine has been a cornerstone of the health of this community for generations, but this knowledge is at risk of being lost due to the influence of modernity and the lack of transmission to new generations. The project aims to document, validate, and scientifically accredit the use of these medicinal plants. It proposes to restructure the Ngäbe Alternative Medicine Care Center, Iho Kebery, by creating a garden for cultivating these plants. This will facilitate access to medicinal resources, reduce pressure on wild species, and promote their sustainable use. Additionally, this garden is expected to generate economic benefits for the community, thereby contributing to its development and overall well-being. The project aligns with three priority themes: local innovations for the bioeconomy, community-led biodiversity conservation, and the importance of indigenous territories in the preservation of tropical forests.

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