Citation

Albuquerque UP, Melo JG, Medeiros MF, Menezes IR, Moura GJ, Asfora El-Deir AC, Alves RR, de Medeiros PM, de Sousa Araújo TA, Alves Ramos M, Silva RR, Almeida AL, Almeida Cde F. Evid. Based Complement. Alternat. Med. 2012; 2012: 202508.

Affiliation

Laboratory of Applied Ethnobotany, Department of Biology, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, 52171-900 Recife, PE, Brazil.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Hindawi Publishing)

DOI

10.1155/2012/202508

PMID

21977054

PMCID

PMC3184504

Abstract

Wade Davis's study of Haitian "zombification" in the 1980s was a landmark in ethnobiological research. His research was an attempt to trace the origins of reports of "undead" Haitians, focusing on the preparation of the zombification poison. Starting with this influential ethnopharmacological research, this study examines advances in the pharmacology of natural products, focusing especially on those of animal-derived products. Ethnopharmacological, pharmacological, and chemical aspects are considered. We also update information on the animal species that reportedly constitute the zombie poison. Several components of the zombie powder are not unique to Haiti and are used as remedies in traditional medicine worldwide. This paper emphasizes the medicinal potential of products from zootherapy. These biological products are promising sources for the development of new drugs.

Language: en