MEDICINAL HERBS: PROMOTING SUSTAINABILITY AND INCOME IN FAMILY FARMING

Abstract

The research aimed to analyze the costs and feasibility of the cultivation of medicinal herbs Melissa (Melissa officinalis) from Passion Fruit (Passiflora edulis) in a rural property in the municipality of Prudentópolis, Paraná. It is based on the premise that crop diversification is essential for the economic self-sufficiency of small properties characterized as family farming. In addition to the economic aspects, the choice of plants for analysis is intrinsically linked to the symbolic and cultural value that medicinal herbs carry, being widely recognized for their therapeutic and healing properties. The cultivation of medicinal plants, therefore, not only contributes to physical health, but also acts as a practice that values the connection with nature and ancestral knowledge, promoting a balance between the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of farmers and the local community. Methodologically, the research is applied, descriptive, documentary, bibliographic and based on case studies. The locus of the research was defined by convenience and accessibility. After data collection and analysis, it was found that both crops are profitable, with a financial return of approximately 30.5% per year. In addition to their economic viability, these plants offer a holistic approach to well-being, contributing to the mental and emotional balance of farmers, who, through cultivation, also rescue traditional practices and strengthen the bond with the land and local culture. The cultivation of medicinal herbs, such as Melissa and Passion Fruit, thus stands out not only as an excellent option for generating income and work, but also as a path to sustainability and the rescue of harmony between human beings and nature, presenting plant alternatives with simple management, good acceptance in the market, ease of sale and attractive prices