Article Number - 563632D51269
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http://www.academicjournals.org/journal/SRE/article-full-text/563632D51269
Asya Pencheva Dragoeva
Vanya Petrova Koleva
Zheni Dimitrova Nanova
Teodora Veselinova Koynova
Pavlina Kalcheva Jordanova
ABSTRACT
Despite
increasing interest in phytotherapy, little is known about patterns of
herb utilization in modern society. Ethnobotanical studies are useful
tool to evaluate the dynamics of traditional knowledge. To our
knowledge, there is no study focused on collection of information about
herbal utilization from a wide range of people in Bulgaria. 1) the
attitudes toward benefits of medicinal plants; 2) the most popular
herbal application; 3) the manner in which herbs are being obtained; 4)
how specific demographic features of the participants related to their
attitude. This survey was carried out in different regions in Bulgaria,
between May and July 2013 using the face-to-face interview technique. A
descriptive statistic procedure and chi-square test were employed for
data analysis. Simple linear coefficient test is calculated to determine
the correlation between herbal knowledge and demographic features of
the informants. The results revealed that 93.89% of the respondents
believed that herbs are beneficial for their health; age exerted impact
on this statement. A larger proportion of the respondents uses herbs
frequently and if necessary. About 60% of the informants use medicinal
plants for disease treatment and prophylaxis. Only 11.37% of respondents
reported to gather herbs from natural habitats; impact of age and place
of residence was established. Self-gathering is preferred by the
respondents belonging to groups with low socio-economic status. More
than a half of the respondents (61.92%) prefer to buy herbs from the
pharmacy. The survey shows the persistence of traditional knowledge in
contemporary Bulgarian population. The impact of modern society on
herbal application is obvious. Demographic features exerted negligible
influence on the attitudes toward herbal utilization.
Key words: Ethnobotanical survey, traditional knowledge, herbal utilization.
