Volume 151, Issue 1, 10 January 2014, Pages 704–713
Abstract
Ethnopharmacological relevance
This
study reports on the uses of medicinal plants and ethnobotanical
significance of Mt. Rtanj, Eastern Serbia. The aim of the study was
collecting information on plant utilization and creating the list of
medicinal plants collected by local community in the region of Rtanj Mt.
in Serbia.
Methodology
A group
of generally elderly people from the region were interviewed, asked to
identify a certain number of plant taxa used against various human
ailments. A quantitative ethnobotanical comparison has been performed in
relation to other studies concerning the central Balkan Peninsula.
Results
There is an inventory of 45 plant species recorded. At the family level, the most common in traditional usage were species of Labiatae (22%), Rosaceae (20%) and Compositae (13%). The results of the survey suggested that Hypericum perforatum
was the most popular medicinal plant. Among the 7 different recorded
types of preparation, the aerial parts of plants were the most popular
(47.3%). The most frequently reported medicinal uses of herbal drugs
include remedies for immune system (22.97%), respiratory system (15.77%)
and digestive system disorders (15.32%). However, a comparatively small
number of available plant species was used for medicinal purposes while
the level of ethnobotanical diversity was lower when compared to
adjacent regions.
Conclusions
Ethnobotanical
knowledge in this area is decreasing due to high emigration rates
during the last period. The historically developed ethnobotanical
heritage should be preserved and promoted on the larger level, getting
the special position in the future management plans for this area.
Graphical abstract
Keywords
- Rtanj Mt.;
- Ethnobotany;
- Balkan Peninsula;
- Medicinal plant resource;
- Comparison
- Corresponding author. Tel.:
+38118533015x55.
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