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Table 2 Folk medical uses of the aerial parts of Alpine wormwood (Artemisia genipi, A. glacialis, and A. umbelliformis) in diverse North-Western Alpine areas (See Figure 8 to located most of these areas on the map).

From: Alpine ethnobotany in Italy: traditional knowledge of gastronomic and medicinal plants among the Occitans of the upper Varaita valley, Piedmont

Area(s)

Ethnic/cultural group(s)

Preparation(s)

Folk medical use(s)

Anniviers Valley, Switzerland

FP

Macerated in alcohol; made into home-made distillate with chopped apples and sugar.

Depurative, digestive; high doses are considered dangerous (inducing circulatory disturbances in eyes and nervous system)

Aosta Valley, Italy

FP

Infusion in milk with honey

Anti-tussive, anti-cold

Grande and Formazza valleys, Italy

WA and PE

Infusion in water; decoction in milk or wine; macerated in alcohol

Anti-tussive, tonic, digestive

Les Allues, France

FP

Infusion in water or milk and butter (with sugar added); on rare occasions macerated in alcohol

Anti-cold, panacea; high doses are considered dangerous

Sangone Valley, Italy

FP

Infusion in water

Digestive

Susa Valley, Italy

OC and FP

Infusion in water

Digestive

Germanasca and Chisone valleys, Italy

OC*

Infusion in water

Digestive

Maira Valley, Italy

OC

Infusion in water;

macerated in alcohol

Diaphoretic, to prevent mountain sickness and syncopal attacks

  1. FP: Franco-Provençal. OC: Occitan. OC*: Occitan and Waldensian (according to religion).
  2. PE: Piedmontese. WA: Walser