Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants traditionally used in South-East Serbia (Pčinja district)
2019
Authors:
Živković, JelenaIlić, Milan
Stojković, Dejan
Šavikin, Katarina
Contributors
Soković, MarinaDocument Type:
Conference object (Published version)
,
© 2019 Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković", University of Belgrade
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract:
Balkan Peninsula is one of the most important biodiversity centers in Europe. Despite
that, the usage of plant species in traditional medicine of some Balkan regions remained
largely unexplored in the past. This study aimed to collect and document data on the
traditional use of medicinal plants in Pčinja district in South-Eastern Serbia, which is
among the least developed regions in Serbia. The survey was carried out using semi structured interviews and 113 informants were interviewed. Quantitative ethnobotany
factors were calculated, allowing us discussing the results.
The informants reported data on 86 medicinal plants belonging to 43 families.
The most dominant botanical families were Lamiaceae (30% of species), Asteraceae
(26% of species) and Rosaceae (19% of species). Species with the highest number of
use reports were Mentha piperita, Hypericum perforatum, Matricaria chamomilla, Salvia
officinalis, Urtica dioica, Thymus serpyllum and Tilia cordata. The majority of the plants
were reported to have 1-3 different usages and the species with most diverse uses were
Hypericum perforatum and Urtica dioica. In Pčinja district folk medicine is primarily used
for healing minor diseases with some exceptions. The most frequent medicinal uses
were for treating diseases of the digestive system, respiratory system and diseases of
the skin and subcutaneous tissue, followed by general and unspecified diseases (such
as pain, fever and health prevention). Usually, the administration was primarily oral
followed by topical applications. Leaves were dominantly exploited plant parts and
the most frequent preparation form was infusion. The current study represents a useful
documentation which can contribute to preserving ethnobotanical knowledge in
South-Eastern Serbia. For some well-known plant species new applications have been
recorded. This can present a good starting point for new investigations
In:
- Soković M, editor. Book of abstracts: The 2nd Balkans-China Mini-symposium on Natural Products and Drug Discovery; 2019 Apr 11-13; Belgrade, Serbia. Belgrade: Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković", University of Belgrade; 2019. p 28.