New records of the remedial properties of vascular plants, some traditionally accepted as medicinal plants and some less familiar to ethnobotanists (original) (raw)
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Emirates Journal of Food and Agriculture, 2014
Despite the existence of many relevant publications, and of reliable records of the traditional empiric data about medicinal plants in Bulgaria, over the last few years we found quite a lot of hitherto undocumented data about the healing properties of plants. In order to test the contemporary status of the traditional knowledge about medicinal plants, we performed the study as a Rapid Ethnobotanical Appraisal in the way of structured interview based on fixed questions namely what plants are used against certain health disorders. We therefore interviewed 183 people during the summer of 2011: some whom we knew to be particularly interested in medicinal plants and traditional ways of healing, and also a random sample of people of different ages. These subjects were all over l8. The survey was called "Granny had a cure for this." (or "Granny knew how to cure this.") In this paper we present data for remedial properties of popular medicinal plants which have not been documented in the literature yet -Pulsatilla pratensis -fresh leaves used as compress against exostoses, Sambucus ebulusimmature fresh leaves used for compress in case of exostoses, Primula veris -leaves infusion used against vertigo and Nepeta nuda -application of decoction internally against cystitis and prostate gland inflammation as well as externally against wounds and on the stock udder against mastitis. Comparative analysis of relevant studies was also done.
In the contemporary reality of globalization and urbanization in Bulgaria, traditional empiric ethnobotanical knowledge is disappearing. The aim of our study was to check the attitude of a random sample of people to the herbs and the traditional way of healing: 1) to find out which herbs are the most popular in Bulgaria; 2) what is their most popular application; 3) to study the distribution of negative or positive attitudes to the traditional use of medicinal plants according to age and gender of Bulgarian people. In total, 77 plant species (including the ones in the formula combinations) were mentioned during the study. They belong to 38 families. The most important families are Lamiaceae, Rosaceae, Asteraceae and the plants which most commonly referred to as "Granny's cure" were Hypericum perforatum, Cotinus coggigria, Plantago major, Sempervivum sp. div., Calendula officinalis, Melissa officinalis, Allium sativum, Aesculus hippocastanum, Matricaria chamomilla and Cornus mass. The greatest number of herbs were the ones used to treat disorders of central nervous system (CNS), bones, skin, gastro-intestinal and respiratory system.
African journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
In the contemporary reality of globalization and urbanization in Bulgaria, traditional empiric ethnobotanical knowledge is disappearing. The aim of our study was to check the attitude of a random sample of people to the herbs and the traditional way of healing: 1) to find out which herbs are the most popular in Bulgaria; 2) what is their most popular application; 3) to study the distribution of negative or positive attitudes to the traditional use of medicinal plants according to age and gender of Bulgarian people. In total, 77 plant species (including the ones in the formula combinations) were mentioned during the study. They belong to 38 families. The most important families are Lamiaceae, Rosaceae, Asteraceae and the plants which most commonly referred to as "Granny's cure" were Hypericum perforatum, Cotinus coggigria, Plantago major, Sempervivum sp. div., Calendula officinalis, Melissa officinalis, Allium sativum, Aesculus hippocastanum, Matricaria chamomilla and C...
Medicinal Plants and Health in Human History: From Empirical Use to Modern Phytotherapy
Journal of the Siena Academy of Sciences
Phytotherapy is the science that deals with the treatment and prevention of diseases through medicinal plants and herbal products. The use of herbs as medicine is the oldest form of healthcare known to humanity and has been used in all cultures throughout history. It is known that even today over 80% of the world population depends on herbal medicines. The quality of herbal medicines is believed to be directly related to its active principles, but herbal medicines can be variable in their composition. Therefore, it is necessary to use an extract that is well defined in its chemical composition and in the quantity of specific active principles; and actually, to obtain constant efficacy and safety, standardized medicinal plant extracts are being used. Clinically confirmed efficacy and best tolerability and safety of standardized or quantified medicinal plant extracts are the key for a successful phytotherapic approach.
Medicinal Plants in Light of History: Recognized Therapeutic Modality
Journal of evidence-based complementary & alternative medicine, 2014
Medicinal plants have an unbelievable history in terms of serving humanity in almost all continents of the world. Traditional healers have transferred that incredible knowledge from generation to generation. Even modernity or cultural revolutions have not altered the in-depth wisdom of this natural medical paradigm. Pharmacological rationale in light of traditional uses followed by phytochemical studies could surely bring a new revolution in the treatment of diseases.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2011
Aim of the study: : The study aims to provide a systematical revision of the traditional use of wild and cultivated plants in northeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina (Western Balkan Peninsula; Southeast Europe). Thereby, it will extend and complement a recent previous study carried out in middle, southern and western Bosnia and Herzegovina. Material and methods: : Information was collected by performing so called open ethnobotanical interviews. The following data were recorded and systematically assembled in a database: name, age and occupation of the interviewed person; the geographic locality and date of the interview; the name of the used plant; plant parts used; prescription background and preparation procedure as well as indication. Plants mentioned to be used by the informants were collected during field trips done together with the informants and taxonomically determined. The corresponding material was finally deposited in the herbarium of the Department of Pharmacognosy of the University of Vienna for the purpose of documentation. Results: : In total, 45 places including villages and mountain areas were visited and 84 persons questioned. 254 wild and cultivated species and 1655 different preparations for the use in traditional human therapy were recorded. The most frequently mentioned indications were disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system, urogenital tract, skin, blood system, cardiovascular system, nervous system as well as rheumatism. Infusions were the most frequently prepared formulation. Other applied preparations mentioned with decreasing frequency were decocts, sirups, tinctures, collars, direct application of plants without prior preparation, ointments, freshly pressed juices, oils, powders, fluid unctions, macerations and finally suppositories. Special preparations, typical only for the area of Bosnia and Herzegovina were "mehlems" and some kind of sirup called "dulbešećer" (eng.dulbe sugar). While "mehlems" were already recognized and accordingly discussed for the central, southern and western parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, "dulbešećer" seems to be known in northeastern region only. The main compounds of this preparation are sugar or honey, lemon and flowers of one particular species of Rosa (with very small flowers), in Bosnia called "dulbe" rose or "sugar" rose. Prescriptions were verbally delivered for up to more than six generations, traditionally from mother to daughter. For the objective of further analyses and comparisons, the recorded data were inserted in the "VOLKSMED" data base of Austrian prescriptions. Conclusions: : The study showed that there exist considerable similarities in medicinal plant use including indications and type of preparations between the different regions and ethnicities of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Interestingly, there were also only little differences in frequencies of medicinal plant use, indications and preparations between middle, western and southern part Bosnia and Herzegovina on one hand and the eastern, northern and northeastern part of this county on the other hand. The results also demonstrated the high importance of medicinal plants for the physical health of Bosnian people. 70 of the species reported by Bosnian people were also used in official pharmacy. In addition, a variety of less known plants has been used since ages in traditional therapy of this country and hence may be potential sources for new therapies. Therefore, further pharmaceutical research into this particular and scientifically still underexplored proportion of Bosnian plant biodiversity appears promising and is recommended by the authors.
Medicinal plants – History and context
isara solutions, 2011
India has a rich culture of restorative herbs and spices, which incorporates about in excess of 2000 species and has a tremendous land region with high potential capacities for Ayurvedic, Unani, Siddha conventional meds however without a doubt, not many have been read artificially and pharmacologically for their potential therapeutic worth (Gupta et al., 2005; Sandhu and Heinrich, 2005). People have utilized plants for the treatment of various diseases for a great many years (Sofowara, 1982; Hill, 1989). As indicated by the World Health Organization, most populaces still depend on conventional meds for their mental and physical wellbeing prerequisites (Rabe and Van Stoden, 2000), since they can't bear the cost of the results of Western pharmaceutical businesses (Salie et al., 1996), together with their symptoms and absence of medicinal services offices (Griggs et al., 2001). Provincial zones of many creating nations still depend on customary drug for their essential medicinal services needs and have discovered a spot in everyday life. These drugs are generally more secure and less expensive than manufactured or current medication (Iwu et al., 1999; Idu et al., 2007; Mann et al., 2008; Ammara et al., 2009). Individuals living in rustic regions from their own experience realize that these customary cures are important wellspring of characteristic items to keep up human wellbeing, yet they may not comprehend the science behind these medications, however realized that some restorative plants are exceptionally powerful just when utilized at helpful dosages (Maheshwari et al., 1986; Van Wyk et al., 2000).
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 1986
In the course of an ethnopharmacological survey carried out among the Bedouins of the Negev desert, it was noticed that in addition to the use of modern medical services, medicinal plants were also being employed. We deemed it worthwhile, therefore, to investigate the current status of herbal medicine among the Negev Bedouins and to evaluate the relative efficiency of the plants used. To evaluate plant effectiveness by enquiries among patients once treated was found to be difficult and impractical. Hence, each interviewed informant was first requested to volunteer information on the plants and their uses. Next, to avoid the risk of memory failure, a list of 50 commonly used species was read out and the informant was asked to provide information on any that were familiar to him as medicinal herbs. Of 81 plant species mentioned by our 27 informants, 41 were named or recognized by more than 3. These species were arranged in accordance with the percentage of informants suggesting the same medicinal use for a given species as compared with the total number of informants reporting any sort of use for that plant. The obtained ratio was defined as the fidelity level (FL). The rank-order priority (ROP) of the plants was derived from these FL values. The relative popularity level (RPL) of the plants encountered was determined and plants were accordingly designated as "popular" or "unpopular". FL values were further adjusted, according to RPL value. We found that the bark of Phagnalon rupestre is widely used to induce deliberate burns for the healing of various ailments (ROP = loo), while infusion of the shoots of Teucrium polium, or of Artemisia herba-alba is employed to a lesser degree (ROP = 66 and 56, respectively) to relieve stomach disorders. Because the latter two species show fairly high ROP and are seen to be directly curative, they merit further investigation. Additional findings and implications of our ethnopharmacological survey are duly discussed.