Analysis of the Presence of Parasites in Vegetables Used for Tereré Infusions in the City of Caaguazú in the year 2023

Abstract

Some plants native to Paraguay with medicinal proper- ties are traditionally used to treat common ailments. Paraguayans see and use tereré as alternative medicine, since they incorporate herbs to combat these ailments. The objective of this study was to analyze the presence of parasites in vegetables used for tereré infusions, in the city of Caaguazú in the year 2023. A descriptive, cross-sectional methodological design was used. Samples were obtained from the San Francisco neighborhood and downtown area, and were collected by the researchers responsible for the study. We worked with 30 vegetable samples (3 from each position), from the different sales positions. Microsoft Excel was used to load data. The representative results obtained from the 30 samples, at least 13 (45%) had some type of parasite and in 17 (55%) no parasitic forms were observed. In conclusion, the marketing and use of these vegetables must be monitored by health authorities in order to avoid infections.