@conference{
author = "Jarić, Snežana and Miletić, Zorana and Marković, Milica and Karadžić, Branko and Mitrović, Miroslava and Pavlović, Pavle",
year = "2019",
abstract = "Ethnobotanical studies conducted in southeastern Europe are of key
importance for stimulating local development and for investigating the dynamics of
traditional ecological plant knowledge in one of the most significant European
‘hotspots’ for biocultural diversity. Many local communities traditionally use
available plant resources in primary health care, meaning they play an important role
in preserving traditional phytotherapeutic knowledge.
The range of medicinal plants in Serbia encompasses approximately 700
species, which is 10.7% of the country’s total flora (3662 species). This
ethnobotanical study was conducted in the Stara Planina mountain region
(southeastern Serbia). Its specific geographical position, the diversity of the
geological substrate, its altitude, and the historical development of flora and
vegetation have impacted significantly on the diversity of the plant world there.
The aim of this research was to provide important ethnobotanical information
on the knowledge and wide range of medicinal plant use in the Stara Planina region
and to identify important plant resources for future pharmacological research. In
addition, it was intended to highlight their importance and role in contemporary health
care and in improving the economic status of the local population.
Following a qualitative anthropological approach, 51 people were questioned
using semi-structured interviews. Through this research, it was established that the
informants are familiar with 157 medicinal species, which are used to treat various
health problems or for food, or they collect them for other purposes, such as to sell
them. Furthermore, research showed the greatest diversity of species comes from the
Asteraceae, Lamiaceae and Rosaceae families, while plants from the Alliaceae,
Cornaceae, Gentianaceae, Hypericaceae, Juglandaceae, Rosaceae, Lamiaceae,
Adoxaceae and Asteraceae families have the maximum use value (UV=1). The
majority of the recorded species are wild, but some are cultivated (species of the genus
Allium, Calendula officinalis, Cydonia oblonga, Hyssopus officinalis, Ocimum
basilicum, Phaseolus vulgaris, Ruta graveolens, Salvia officinalis, Tanacetum
parthenium and Zea mays), while Sempervivum tectorum, Morus nigra, Juglans
regia, and Mentha x piperita are found as both wild and cultivated species. The most common use of medicinal plants according to the informants is to treat
gastrointestinal, respiratory, cardiovascular, genitourinary and skin problems. The
aerial parts, root, flowers, fruit or whole plant are used in the various methods of
preparation mentioned (infusions, decoctions, oils, balsams, juices, syrups, and
‘travarica’ brandy), with infusion the predominant dosage form.
Qualitative and quantitative analysis of herbal plants in the entire flora of Stara
Planina mountain revealed that this region has extremely good botanical potential.
However, it has an extremely unfavourable demographic structure, reflected in the
small number of inhabitants, who are mainly elderly. For this reason, there is a danger
that the traditional knowledge and skills, spanning several centuries, associated with
ethnomedicine will be lost.
The results of this study may be important for rural development programmes
in southeastern Serbian, which includes the Stara Planina region, with the aim of
encouraging strategies for the management of natural resources in the area.
Documentation on traditional knowledge of this region's medicinal plant resources
should be stored by official agencies at the national level to prevent it being lost and
forgotten.",
publisher = "Belgrade: Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia",
journal = "Abstracts: 13th Symposium on the Flora of Southeastern Serbia and Neighboring Regions, Stara planina Mt.; 2019 Jun 20-23; Stara planina, Serbia",
title = "Plants and traditional knowledge. Ethnobotanical research on Stara Planina mountain",
doi = "277004556",
pages = "121-122"
}
