Isolated, but transnational: the glocal nature of Waldensian ethnobotany, Western Alps, NW Italy

Bellia, Giada; Pieroni, Andrea

doi:10.1186/s13002-015-0027-1

Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine

Table 2 Local medicinal plant uses recorded in the studied area

From: Isolated, but transnational: the glocal nature of Waldensian ethnobotany, Western Alps, NW Italy

Botanical taxon/ family and voucher specimen code #	Local names	Status	Plant parts	Preparation and administration	Folk medical use(s) or treated disease(s)	Wal	Cat	Citations	Notes
Abies alba Mill. Pinaceae UNISGVALABA	Bigiun Sap Sòp blanc	W	Buds Resin	Infusion, syrup Topical application	Cough Skin infections, arthritis, bruises	+	+	***	C
Acer pseudoplatanus L. Sapindaceae UNISGVALACE	Plai Plaie	W	Leaves	Infusion	Cough, flu		+	*	P
Achillea erba-rotta All. Asteraceae	See Table 1	W	Aerial parts	Infusion, liquor	Digestive, fever	+	+	*	C
Alchemilla xanthochlora Rothm. Rosaceae		W	Aerial parts	Infusion Topical application	Anti-inflammatory Dysmenorrhea	+	+	**	P
Allium ampeloprasum L. Amaryllidaceae	Pourëtto	C	Roots	Decoction	To decrease the milk secretion	+		*	P
Allium sativum L. Amaryllidaceae	Alh	C	Bulb	Topical application Fumigations Externally applied to cloths	Corns Cough Worms	+	+	*	P
Aloysia citriodora Palau Verbenaceae	Limonella	C	Leaves	Infusion	Dysmenorrhea	+		*	C
Arctium lappa L. Asteraceae UNISGVGB034	Grattëquioùe	W	Roots Flowers	Decoction Infusion	Respiratory infections, fever, “blood thinner”	+	+	**	P
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng. Ericaceae	See Table 1	W	Leaves	Infusion	Diuretic and inflammations of the urinary tract	+		*	P
Arnica montana L. Asteraceae UNISGWAL003	Tabacas Tabaccai	W	Flowers	Tincture or macerate in olive oil, externally applied	Rheumatisms, arthritis muscle pains, bruises	+	+	***	C
Artemisia absinthium L. Asteraceae UNISGWAL004	Ûsenc	W	Aerial parts	Topical application Infusion	Bruises Fever, worms, digestive	+	+	***	P
Artemisia genipi Weber ex. Stechm., A.glacialis L., A. umbelliformis Lam. Asteraceae	See Table 1	W	Aerial parts	Liquor, infusion	Digestive, cough	+	+	***	C
Artemisia vulgaris L. Asteraceae UNISGVGB038	Arsemizë Ërsëmizo	W	Aerial parts	Infusion Topical application	Dysmenorrhea Bruises	+	+	**	P
Beta vulgaris L. Amaranthaceae	Bléo	C	Leaves	Topical application	Joint pains, acne	+		*	P
Borago officinalis L. Boraginaceae UNISGWAL013	Bouràes Bourai	C	Flowers	Infusion Topical application	Pimples Eczema, psoriasis	+		**	P
Brassica oleracea L. Brassicaceae	Chôl	C	Leaves	Topical application	Pimples, acne	+	+	**	C
Botrychium lunaria (L.) Sw. Ophioglossaceae UNISGVALBOT	Èrbo d’l’uo	W	Ripe sporangium	Topical application Inhalation Infusion	Skin wounds Nose bleeding Internal bleeding	+		**	P
Brassica rapa L. Brassicaceae	Rabbo	C	Bulb	Syrup	Cough	+		*	C
Calendula officinalis L. Asteraceae	Courtëzio	C	Flowers	Infusion	Dysmenorrhea, for promoting blood circulation	+		**	C
Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik. Brassicaceae		W	Fruits	Topical application	Skin wounds	+		*	P
Carum carvi L. Apiaceae	See Table 1	W	Fruits	Infusion, liquor	Digestive, carminative	+	+	*	C
Cetraria islandica L.(Ach.) Parmeliaceae UNISGVALCET	Èrbo d’la vélho Licchia Lichene Pan d’chabbre	W	Thallus	Decoction, syrup Decoction, externally applied	Cough, bronchitis	+	+	***	C
Chelidonium majus L. Papaveraceae UNISGVGB039	Sireunnho Erbë sironnhë	W	Latex	Fresh topical applied	Warts	+	+	***	C
Conium maculatum L. Apiaceae UNISGVALCON	Sicutto	W	Aerial parts	Infusion	Abortive	+		*	P
Crataegus monogyna Jacq. Rosaceae UNISGVALCRA	Prusét	W	Aerial parts	Infusion	Hypertensive, venous insufficiency	+	+	**	P
Cyanus segetum Hill. Asteraceae UNISGVGB015		W	Flowers	Eyebaths	Conjunctivitis	+		*	P
Cynodon dactylon L. (Pers.) Poaceae UNISVALCYN	Gramoun	W	Roots	Decoction	Diuretic	+	+	*	P
Datura stramonium L. Solanaceae UNISGVALDAT	Èrbo dâ dërboun	W	Leaves	Inhalation (dried powedered leaves)	Asthma	+		*	P
Equisetum arvense L. Equisetaceae UNISGWAL020	Èrbo cavalino	W	Sterile stem	Decoction Topical application	Diuretic, to prevent prostatic cancer Skin inflammations	+	+	***	C
Erica carnea L. Ericaceae UNISGVALERI	Erica	W	Aerial parts	Infusion	Urinary tract infections, diarrhea	+		*	P
Euphrasia alpina Lam. Orobanchaceae UNISGVALEUP	Eufrasia	W	Flowers	Eyebaths	Conjunctivitis	+		*	P
Fraxinus excelsior L. Oleaceae UNISGVGB022	Fraise	W	Leaves	Infusion	Venous insufficiency, hypertension	+		*	P
Fragaria vesca L. Rosaceae	See Table 1	W	Leaves	Topical application	Pimples, acne	+		*	P
Gentiana acaulis L. Gentianaceae	See Table 1	W	Whole plant	Liquor, infusion	Apetizing, digestive	+	+	**	P
Gentiana lutea L. Gentianaceae	See Table 1	W	Roots	Liquor Macerated in wine	Appetizing, digestive	+	+	***	C
Hypericum perforatum L. Hypericaceae UNISGWAL018	Millepertuis Trafourèllo Sengian	W	Flowering aerial parts	Macerate in oil	Skin inflammations, burnes, arthritis	+	+	***	C
Hyssopus officinalis L. Lamiaceae	Izòp	C	Aerial parts	Infusion	Cough	+		*	P
Juglans regia L. Juglandaceae	Nouvìe	C	Leaves	Infusion, externally applied	Chilblains	+	+	*	P
Juniperus communis L. Cupressaceae	See Table 1	W	Fruits	Infusion, liquor	Digestive	+	+	*	C
Lamium album L. Lamiaceae UNISGVALLAM	Urtìo morto	W	Aerial parts	Infusion	Dysmenorrhea	+		*	P
Larix decidua Mill. Pinaceae UNISGVGB031	Mèlze	W	Sprouts Resin Pine cones	Infusion Topical application Syrup	Expectorant Skin inflammations (remove splinters) Respiratory infections	+	+	**	C
Laurus nobilis L. Lauraceae	See Table 1	W	Leaves Fruits	Infusion	Digestive		+	*	P
Leontopodium nivale (Ten.) Huet ex Hand.-Mazz. Asteraceae	See Table 1	W	Flowering tops	Infusion	Digestive	+		*	C
Linum usitatissimum L. Linaceae	Lin	C	Seeds	Poultice, externally applied Baths Macerated in water	Respiratory infections Urinary infections, constipation Toothaches	+	+	**	P
Malva sylvestris L. Malvaceae UNISGWAL031	Malvo	W	Whole plant	Decoctions	Urinary and genital tracts inflammations, digestive	+	+	***	C
Marrubium vulgare L. Lamiaceae UNISGVALMAR	Marëfi	W	Whole plant	Infusion	Digestive	+		*	P
Matricaria chamomilla L. Asteraceae UNISGWAL008	Caramillho	W	Flowers	Infusion Infusion, externally applied in poultices Oleolites	Urinary tract infections Bronchitis Earaches	+	+	***	C
Melissa officinalis L. Lamiaceae UNISGWAL026	Melissa	C	Leaves	Infusion	Neurorelaxant	+	+	**	C
Menta longifolia (L.) Huds. Lamiaceae	Mëntatre	W	Leaves	Infusion	Digestive	+	+	*	C
Myristica fragrans Houtt. Myristicaceae	Noce moscata	C	Seeds	Grinded and ingested with sugar	Dysmenorrhea	+		*	P
Ononis spinosa L. Fabaceae	Ratabuou	W	Roots	Decoction	Cystitis, in the prevention of prostate cancer	+		*	P
Origanum vulgare L. Lamiaceae	Oouriënt	C	Leaves	Infusion	Digestive	+		*	C
Parietaria officinalis L. Urticaceae UNISGVGB007	Pan-chaoudét	W	Aerial parts	Infusion	Urinary tract infections and for prevention prostate cancer	+	+	***	C
Pelargonium zonale (L.) L’Hér. ex Aiton Geraniaceae	Geranio odoroso	C	Leaves	Topically applied (fresh)	Skin cuts, hamatomas, wounds	+		**	P
Pilosella officinarum Vaill. Asteraceae UNISGVGB013	Èrbo dâ runh Ourèllhë d’rattë	W	Leaves	Topical ly applied (fresh)	Skin cuts and wounds		+	*	P
Pinguicola vulgaris L. Lentibulariaceae	Èrbo d’la talheuiro	W	Leaves	Topically applied (fresh)	Skin cuts, wounds	+		**	P
Pinus cembra L. Pinaceae	Èlvou	W	Cones Resin	Syrup Topically applied	Expectorant Wounds		+	*	C
Pinus mugo Turra,	Pin	W	Cones	Syrup	Cough, bronchitis	+	+	**	P
P. sylvestris L. Pinaceae		Sprouts	Decoction
Plantago major L., P. lanceolata L. Plantaginaceae UNISGVGB021	Plantanh Plantònh	W	Leaves	Infusion Baths Topically applied (fresh)	Urinary and genital infections To prevent prostate cancer Bruises and haematomas	+	+	**	P
Polygonum bistorta L. Polygonaceae UNISGVGB036	Ërparà	W	Aerial parts	Infusion	Diuretic		+	*	P
Polypodium vulgare L. Polypodiaceae UNISGVGB003	Ërgalisio Rizouzèttë	W	Roots	Decoction	Cough, digestive	+	+	**	P
Potentilla reptans L. Rosaceae UNISGVALPOT	Èrbo d’la sinquèno	W	Whole plant	Decoctions Baths	Urinary infections To prevent prostate cancer	+	+	*	P
Primula helatior (L.) Hill, P. veris L., P. vulgaris Huds. Primulaceae	See Table 1	W	Flowers and roots	Infuson/Decoction	Diuretic, cough		+	*	P
Prunus avium (L.) L.	See Table 1	W	Stems Resin	Infusion Topically applied	Diuretic Sprains	+	+	**	P
Prunus domestica L. Rosaceae	Dalmeizinìe	C	Resin	Topically applied	Skin cuts and sprains	+		*	P
Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb Rosaceae	Amandoulie	C	Seeds	Fresh eaten	Galactagogue	+		*	P
Rhododendron ferrugineum L. Ericaceae UNISGVGB035	Brousé	W	Galls	Oleolite	Muscle pains	+		*	C
Rosa canina L. Rosaceae UNISGVGB018	Bosou Agoulënsia	W	Fruits Flowers	Jam Decoction Infusion, in external applications on the eyes	Intestinal astringent Increase immunostimulating Eye inflammations and conjunctivitis	+	+	**	P
Rosa centifolia L. Rosaceae	Ruse	C	Petals	Infusion	Sore throat	+		*	C
Rosmarinus officinalis L. Lamiaceae UNISGWAL030	Rousmarin	C	Leaves	Infusion	Digestive	+	+	*	C
Rubus ulmifolius L. Rosaceae UNISGWAL038	Rounzo	W	Leaves	Infusion Topical fresh applied	Sore throat and hoarseness Acne and pimples, cicatrizing	+	+	**	P
Rumex acetosa L. Polygonaceae	See Table 1	W	Leaves	Topically applied (fresh)	Insect bites	+		*	P
Rumex alpinus L. Polygonaceae	Lavaso	W	Leaves	Infusion	Cough	+		*	P
Salix alba L. Salicaceae	Gourìe	W	Leaves	Infusion	Fever	+		*	P
Salvia officinalis L. Lamiaceae	Salvio	C	Leaves	Infusion	Oral disinfectant and antibacterial, headaches, digestive	+	+	**	C
Sambucus nigra L. Adoxaceae	See Table 1	W	Flowers Fruits	Infusion Applied (fresh) in the mouth Jam	Hypertension Tooth abscess “Blood cleanser”	+	+	**	P
Satureja montana L. Lamiaceae	Sëréa	W	Flowers	Infusion	Dysmenorrhea		+	*	P
Sempervivum montanum L. Crassulaceae UNISGVGB029		W	Aerial parts	Topically applied (fresh)	Skin cuts and burns		+	*	P
Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. Asteraceae UNISGVALSYL	Pugn	W	Leaves Roots	Infusion Decoction	Diuretic, dysmenorrhea	+		*	P
Symphytum officinale L. Boraginaceae UNISGVALSYM	Èrbo dâ panariss	W	Roots	Topicaly applied (fresh)	Muscle pains and skin infections	+		*	P
Tanacetum vulgare L. Asteraceae UNISGWAL006	Tanaìo	W	Aerial parts	Infusion	Dysmenorrhea	+		*	P
Taraxacum officinale L. Asteraceae UNISGWAL010	Girasole Mourpoursin	W	Roots	Decoction	Diuretic/“blood cleasing”	+	+	*	P
Teucrium chamaedrys L. Lamiaceae UNISGVGB019	Calamandréo	W	Aerial parts	Infusion	Hypertension, dysmenorrhea	+	+	**	P
Thymus serpyllum L. Lamiaceae UNISGWAL029	Sërpoul	W	Aerial parts	Infusion Topically applied (fresh)	Digestive Insect bites	+	+	***	C
Tilia cordata Mill. Malvaceae UNISGVALTIL	Télh Tîeul	W	Flowers	Infusion	Respiratory tract inflammations	+	+	***	C
Trigonella caerulea (L.) Ser.	Thé d’hl’ort	C	Aerial parts	Infusion	Digestive	+		*	C
Fabaceae	Thé d’hl’ort	C	Aerial parts	Infusion	Digestive	+		*	C
Tussilago farfara L. Asteraceae	See Table 1	W	Aerial parts	Infusion	Respiratory tract inflammations, fever		+	**	P
Urtica dioica L. Urticaceae UNISGWAL031	Urtìo	W	Roots	Decoction	Diuretic	+		*	P
Verbascum thapsus L. Scrophulariaceae UNISGVALVER	Couvoùëlp	W	Inflorescences	Infusion Syrup	Respiratory tract inflammations Cough	+	+	***	P
Verbena officinalis L. Verbenaceae UNISGWAL032	Barbéno	W	Fever	Infusion	Febrifuge	+		*	P
Veronica allionii Vill. Plantaginaceae	See Table 1	W	Flowering aerial parts	Infusion	Diuretic	+		*	C
Viola calcarata L. Violaceae UNISGVGB028	Vioulëtto d’mountannho	W	Flowers	Infusion	Respiratory tract inflammations, fever	+	+	**	C
Viola tricolor L. Violaceae UNISGVGB005	Vioulëtto blanchoViooulëtin	W	Flowers	Infusion Topically applied	Respiratory tract inflammations, fever, toothache	+	+	***	C
Unidentified taxon	Appia	W	Leaves	Topical application	Bruises		+	*	P
Unidentified taxon	Murtalia	W	Flowers	Tea	Anti-infllammatory	+		*	P

#: see Table 1 for other voucher codes.
Status: C: cultivated; SC: semi-cultivated or semi-wild; W: wild.
Wal: use recorded among Waldensians; Cat: use recorded among Catholics.
Citations: *quoted by 10% of the informants or less; **quoted by 11-39% of the informants; ***quoted by 40% of the informants or more.
Notes: C: current use; P: past use.

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ISSN: 1746-4269

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