Uma abordagem investigativa sobre o uso de plantas medicinais com atividade antifúngica e sua relação com o saber popular

Abstract

Teaching about the Fungi Kingdom is essential for understanding its biology, classification, and ecological and biotechnological relevance. This study integrated active methodologies, digital tools, and investigative strategies into the development of a Didactic Sequence (DS), promoting the transition of students from passive recipients to active protagonists in their learning process, while respecting their prior knowledge on the subject. The research connected the study of the Fungi Kingdom with Brazilian traditional medicine, investigating the use of medicinal plants in the treatment of mycoses and recognizing popular knowledge as an integral part of scientific development. The study was conducted at Barão de Exu High School, in Exu- PE, with second-year high school students in 2024. An action-research methodology was adopted, using participant observation and semi-structured questionnaire interviews as data collection techniques. The results showed that students understood the role of fungi in decomposition but had difficulties with classification and pharmaceutical applications. It was also found that the use of medicinal plants remains prevalent in popular practices, especially the use of leaves and bark in herbal teas. Ancestral knowledge, largely preserved by women, revealed species such as juazeiro (Ziziphus joazeiro), aloe (Aloe vera), garlic (Allium sativum), and aroeira (Schinus terebinthifolius) as the most frequently cited for treating mycoses. The investigative approach contributed to active student participation, breaking away from traditional teaching methods and enhancing the learning process. As a final product, the e-book Healing Knowledge: Medicinal Plants with Antifungal Activity was developed, highlighting local wisdom and its intersection with scientific knowledge.