Original scientific paper
The Ecological Aspect of Ethnobotany and Ethnopharmacology of Population in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sulejman S. Redžić
Abstract
This paper contains first systematical revision of the results on traditional use of wild medicinal and aromatic herbs
on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) – west of Balkan Peninsula; Southeast of Europe. There have been detected
227 plants belonging to 71 different plant families, which are being used with ethno therapeutic purpose. Results
were obtained by method of open ethno botanical interview which comprised 150 persons, whose average age was 63. Medicinal
plants in ethno therapy are being used either in fresh, raw or dried condition. Different herbal parts, depending
on period of vegetation season, sometimes even in winter, are basis for preparation of infusions (59%), decoct (19%), tinctures
(4%). Especially original are balms known as Bosnian »mehlems«, which are fresh cuted herbal parts mixed with
lukewarm resin, raw cow butter or honey. In ethno therapy are mostly being used aerial plant organs.Majority of herbs is
being used for treatment of illnesses of respiratory (22%), gastrointestinal (19%) and urinary and genital system (9%), for
treatment of skin conditions (11%), as well as for nervous system and heart diseases (16%). The most original plants on
the field of ethno pharmacology, comparing with ethno therapy practice of other regions, are as follows: Ballota nigra,
Aesculus hippocastanum, Calluna vulgaris, Centaurea cyanus, Euphrasia rostkoviana, Geranium robertianum, Gentiana
asclepiadea, Helichrysum italicum, Lycopodium clavatum, Marrubium vulgare, Nepeta cataria, Populus tremula,
Ruta graveolens, Tamus communis, Teucrium montanum, T. chamaedrys, and endemic plants Gentiana lutea subsp.
symphyandra, Teucrium arduini, Micromeria thymifolia, Satureja montana, S. subspicata, Rhamnus fallax and Viola
elegantula. There haven’t been noticed significant differences in the frequencies of medicinal plants use among different
ethnical groups. But, it has been perceived that longer ethno therapeutic tradition possess inhabitants of sub- and Mediterranean
areas, as well as inhabitants of the mountain areas of B&H, regardless their ethnicity.
Keywords
human ecology; folk medicine; ethno therapy; wild medicinal plants; natural resources; Balkan
Hrčak ID:
26902
URI
Publication date:
3.9.2007.
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