Health and ancestral Skills at the Qhapaq Ñan Quilanga Route in Loja Province

Abstract

The purpose of the present research, done at the Qhapaq Ñan Quilanga route in Loja province, is to characterize the health situation of the population that dwells in the mentioned sector, taking into account the cultural and official perspective. This research counted with a descriptive, analytical and relational methodological design focused on the quali-quantitative method. 95 head of families and 8 Traditional Agents of Health were surveyed by identifying illnesses of cultural filiation such as: bad air, scare, water scare, insolation, and indigestion; also, allopathic diseases like arterial hypertension, urinary via infections, acute Rhino-pharyngitis, cystitis and Hypercholesterolemia. In conclusion, into the two perspectives, the illnesses are provoked due to the immersion of cultural, social and economic factors, considering on the other hand; the wise contribution of men and women into the recuperation of energetic equilibrium and health state throughout ritual practices using medicinal plants and other power elements, herbs and religious acts.