O papel dos fitoterápicos na estética no Brasil entre 1945 e 2025: uma revisão bibliográfica

Abstract

This study analyses the trajectory and relevance of herbal medicine in Brazilian aesthetics from 1945 to 2025, emphasizing its historical, scientific, and social developments. The research was carried out through an integrative literature review based on scientific publications, books, and official documents. It was found that the use of medicinal plants, initially rooted in popular and indigenous traditions, has gradually gained scientific recognition, especially after advances in pharmacognosy and the implementation of the National Policy on Medicinal Plants and Herbal Medicines. The growing use of phytotherapeutic agents in aesthetics and cosmetics reflects a global search for safer, more sustainable, and affordable alternatives. The bioactive compounds found in plants — including flavonoids, polyphenols, and terpenes — exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative properties that contribute to skin health and rejuvenation. Therefore, phytotherapy stands out as a bridge between tradition and innovation, consolidating itself as an integrative and promising practice for contemporary body care.