Temporal Changes in the Use of Wild Medicinal Plants in Trentino–South Tyrol, Northern Italy

Abstract

Mountain regions are fragile ecosystems and often host remarkably rich biodiversity, and thus they are especially under threat from ongoing global changes. Located in the Eastern Alps, Trentino–South Tyrol is bioculturally diverse but an understudied region from an ethnobotanical perspective. We explored the ethnomedicinal knowledge of the area from a cross-cultural and diachronic perspective by conducting semi-structured interviews with 22 local inhabitants from Val di Sole (Trentino) and 30 from Überetsch–Unterland (South Tyrol). Additionally, we compared the results with ethnobotanical studies conducted in Trentino and South Tyrol over 25 years ago. The historical comparison revealed that about 75% of the plants currently in use were also used in the past in each study region. We argue that the adoption of “new” medicinal species could have occurred through printed and social media and other bibliographical sources but may also be due to limitations in conducting the comparison (i.e., different taxonomic levels and different methodologies). The inhabitants of Val di Sole and Überetsch–Unterland have shared most medicinal plants over the past few decades, yet the most used species diverge (perhaps due to differences in local landscapes), and in South Tyrol, people appear to use a higher number of medicinal plants, possibly because of the borderland nature of the area.

Traditional Knowledge Evolution over Half of a Century: Local Herbal Resources and Their Changes in the Upper Susa Valley of Northwest Italy

“…However, in order to minimize the limitations related to differences in the applied methodologies between our study and the study from 1970 (e.g., differences in the reported species and the availability of specific species), we conducted a comparison based on the genera level rather than the species level. Additionally, the recorded plant reports were also qualitatively compared with the most comprehensive worldwide wild food-plant compendia [ 5 , 7 , 24 ].…”

“…Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) is vital for local communities and their well-being. TEK has been a focal point of research within the ethnobiological field, and recent developments have witnessed a shift towards a diachronic approach that emphasizes the historical evolution of these corpora of knowledge [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. The TEK of mountain communities has received more attention in the past decades because of the crucial role of mountains in providing multiple services (i.e., water, pastures/dairy products, timber and non-timber forest products, and leisure) to both highland and lower-land dwellers and urban visitors [ 8 ].…”

Sweet Basil between the Soul and the Table—Transformation of Traditional Knowledge on Ocimum basilicum L. in Bulgaria

“…In Europe, where industrial agriculture and subsequent urbanization are underlying the reduction in direct experiences with nature, the creation of opportunities for more local, personal, and sensory experiences is seen as a leverage point in reshaping environmental education [166]. Logically, the introduction of local knowledge for such educational purposes would serve its revitalization, but in an updated form that reflects contemporary developments in science [167].…”

“…Modern pharmacology stems from traditional uses of medicinal plants, and based on current biomedical research, many biologically active compounds are clearly related to specific uses known for centuries as well as new ones [168]. Fast implementation of these new data allows the development of new medicines and functional foods that reach the market, and through advertisement and targeted promotion, supplies patients and consumers with transformed and upgraded traditional knowledge that they can combine with their own [167]. Screening of medicinal use of O. basilicum in the Balkans recorded during ethnopharmacological studies revealed quite varied, relatively low popularity (use value 0.17-0.3) that corresponds to frequencies of medicinal use of sweet basil reported by our participants [76,[169][170][171].…”

Remnants from the Past: From an 18th Century Manuscript to 21st Century Ethnobotany in Valle Imagna (Bergamo, Italy)

“…Diachronic approach in ethnobotanical studies has recently gained the attention of several authors. The use of historical sources allows researchers to collect valuable information about the mechanisms of transmission of Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) and the nature of its transformation over time [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. However, the interpretation of the results from diachronic studies is complicated by the intrinsic nature of LEK consisting of a complex multifaceted corpus of different practices, beliefs, and traditions having different origin and developmental patterns, molded by different socio-ecological factors.…”