Medical ethnobotany of the Albanian Alps in Kosovo

Abstract

BackgroundEthnobotanical studies are crucial in South-Eastern Europe for fostering local development and also for investigating the dynamics of Traditional Environmental Knowledge (TEK) related to plants in one of the most crucial European hotspots for biocultural diversity. The current medico-ethnobotanical survey was conducted in rural alpine communities in Kosovo. The aims of the study were twofold: 1) to document the state of TEK of medicinal plants in these communities; 2) to compare these findings with that of similar field studies previously conducted among local populations inhabiting the Montenegrin and Albanian side of the same Alpine range.MethodsField research was conducted in 36 villages on the Kosovar side of the Albanian Alps. Snowball sampling techniques were used to recruit 91 elderly informants (≥ 50 years-old) for participation in semi-structured interviews and structured surveys regarding the use of the local flora for medicinal and food purposes. Standard ethnobotanical methods were employed and prior informed consent was obtained for all study participants.Results and ConclusionThe uses of 98 plants species belonging to 39 families were recorded; the most quoted botanical families were Rosaceae, Asteraceae, and Lamiaceae. Mainly decoctions and infusions were quoted as folk medicinal preparations and the most common uses referred to gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders, as well as illnesses of the uro-genital system. Among the most uncommon medicinal taxa quoted by the informants, Carduus nutans L., Echinops bannaticus Rochel ex Schrad., and Orlaya grandiflora Hoffm. may merit phytochemical and phytopharmacological investigations.Comparison of the data with other ethnobotanical field studies recently conducted on the Albanian and Montenegrin sides of the same Alps has shown a remarkable link between the medical ethnobotany of Montenegrin and Kosovar side of the Albanian Alps. Moreover, folk uses of the most quoted wild medicinal taxa recorded in Kosovo often include those recorded both in Albania and in Montenegro, thus suggesting a hybrid character of the Kosovar local plant knowledge. This may be also explained with the fact that Montenegro and Kosovo, despite their differences in the ethnic composition, have shared a common history during the last Century.

The uses of Betula pendula Roth among Hungarian Csángós and Székelys in Transylvania, Romania

“…2). The external use of bark for skin disorders was also recorded in Albania and Macedonia (Pieroni, unpublished), while its internal use was mentioned in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Kosovo [55][56][57][58]. In our work, no data were recorded on the use of the tar (Betulae pix), in contrast to earlier reports in the country [59,60].…”

“…Branches: internally: rain, which has gone through a birch tree, is collected and drunk to treat kidney stones and prostatitis; externally: beaten on the affected part to treat bruises [83]. Bark: for hemorrhoids (Pieroni, unpublished); for cold, fever, rheumatisms and purifying blood [55,56]; as a diuretic; for urinary tract infections [55][56][57][58]; externally: burned, the vapours are exposed to the skin to treat skin inflammations (Pieroni, unpublished). Sap: drained from the trunk in spring [63,64]; as a milk-rennet drug in cheese [77,78]; for children with milk in the teething period, for sores on the lower legs of humans [65].…”

The evolution of traditional knowledge: environment shapes medicinal plant use in Nepal

“…Because not all plants are found everywhere, the floristic environment constrains plant use. The adaptation of traditional medicine when migrations expose cultures to new floristic environments may occur through horizontal transmission of plant use and homogenization of practices [21][22][23]. In this study, we focus on 12 moderately to closely related ethnic groups from Nepal.…”

Medicinal plants used in the Uzunköprü district of Edirne, Turkey

“…Also, while according to our findings Hypericum perforatum is used for skin stains, scars, cold, stomachache, ulcer, sunburns and sunspots, it is used for kidney pains and hemorrhoids according to Rexhepi et al [38]; for stomach pain, respiratory disorders, skin infections, sunburn or thermal burn, antitussive, antihemorrhoidal, anticholesterolemic, eczema according to Mustafa et al [39]; for ulcers, anti-inflammatory (in Bulgaria), cicatrizing agent, against Herpes simplex cholagogue (in Italy) according to Leporatti and Ivancheva [40]; for asthma, stomachache, skin diseases, earache, and toothache according to Akalın and Alpınar [42]; for kidney stones, sedative, wounds, stomachache and rheumatism according to Ecevit Genç and Özhatay [43]; for kidney stones, urinary diseases, diabetes, antihypertensive, cold, stomachache, enteritis, eczema, antifungal, cardiac diseases, arteriosclerosis, antihemorrhagic, asthma, insomnia, uroclepsia (for babies), gall bladder ailments, facial paralysis, gastritis, chest diseases, internal hemorrhage, bronchitis, anti-inflammatory, tuberculosis, pharyngitis, wounds, burns, cuts, herpes labialis, lip chap, and ulcers according to Kültür [13]; for prostate ailments, kidney ailments, cystitis, wound (for human and animals), diarrhea, aphthae according to Tuzlacı and Alpaslan [44]; for urinary diseases, stomach diseases, gastric ulcer, gingivitis, otitis, hemorrhoids, cardiac diseases, wounds and rheumatism according to Kültür and Sami [45]; for diabetes, wounds and kidney ailments according to Tuzlacı et al [46]; and for diabetes and stomachache according to Bulut [47]. Furthermore, although the local names of plants are considerably similar, there are some differences.…”