Abstract
Medicinal plants are plants that contain in their parts, organs or structures, chemical substances that can be used for the treatment of illnesses, such as diabetes mellitus, offering an anti-diabetic or hypoglycemic action, or in systemic arterial hypertension, through their hypotensive and tranquilizing properties. The aim of the study was to investigate the use of these plants by patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and/or systemic arterial hypertension, attended in a basic health unit, in the municipality of Caucaia - CE. The study was quantitative, transversal, with sampling by convenience sampling method done from March to May in the year of 2019. 102 people were interviewed, of whom 29,4% made use of medicinal plants. Ninety percent of them were women, 61,27 years old on average (DP±8,61), with 63,3% having incomplete elementary schooling. Eighteen different species have been verified. It is concluded that the use of medicinal plants is mainly associated with popular knowledge, resulting in possible inadequate use. However, it was observed that the plants used can help in the treatment of diseases, if employed in a correct manner. Further studies are needed for the proper application of this practice.