Medicinal plants traded in San Salvador de Jujuy city (Argentina) and its botanical quality

Twelve medicinal species (Matricaria chamomilla, Senna alexandrina, Equisetum giganteum, Tilia cordata, Valeriana officinalis, Malva sylvestris, Illicium verum, Peumus boldus, Picrasma excelsa, Borago officinalis, Passiflora caerulea and Baccharis articulata), the most sold in the city of San Salvador de Jujuy, were evaluated according to general aspects of marketing, its botanical quality, its uses and role in urban medicine.. We have performed an urban inquiry in 31 sites of commercialization to obtain representative samples, then plants were analyzed by morphological and micrographic methods, and bibliographical research. The results have indicated that the presentation and labels of plants packages are marketed in inappropriate way in relation to national regulations. Half of the samples show signs of adulteration. Although these species are highly consumed by the people, few have been validated by ethno-pharmacological literature. We conclude that this situation could lead to discredit to phytoterapy.