Small regions as key sources of traditional knowledge: a quantitative ethnobotanical survey in the central Balkans

Janaćković, Pedja; Gavrilović, Milan; Miletić, Milica; Radulović, Maja; Kolašinac, Stefan; Stevanović, Zora Dajić

doi:10.1186/s13002-022-00566-0

Table 6 Folk and religious rituals and ethnoculture, and other purposes of plant species of the Aleksinac and Bor districts

From: Small regions as key sources of traditional knowledge: a quantitative ethnobotanical survey in the central Balkans

Scientific name	Part of the plant			Type of preparation			Beliefs and contemplation		Other purposes
Scientific name	Aleksinac	Bor	Aleksinac/Bor	Aleksinac	Bor	Aleksinac/Bor	Aleksinac	Bor	Aleksinac	Bor	Aleksinac/Bor
Achillea millefolium		Stem						Used for I Ching
		Flowers						Used for making garlands on the Fest day dedicate to St. John (celebrated on July 7)
Asarum europaeum		Leaves						Protection against evil forces. Leaves are used as home and children protector
	Roots			Maceration					Fragrant bath
Asparagus officinalis		Aerial parts								Ornamental, used for making bouquets
Calendula officinalis		Aerial parts			Oil extract					Tanning oil
	Flowers			Infusion					Skin complexion improvement
Chelidonium majus		Whole plant			Decoction					Egg dyeing
Cichorium intybus		Aerial parts						Guardian of travelers
			Roots			Powder					Substitute for coffee
Clematis vitalba	Branches								Handmade beehive (“trmka")
Cornus mas			Twigs				Gate decoration for St. George's Day (celebrated on May 6)	Gate decoration for Sfințișori (celebrated on March 22)
		Flowers						Fresh flowers are used for custom for Easter
Corylus colurna		Branches						The stick is used as protection against snakebite, gate decoration with handmade cross made with branches
		Fruits						Fresh fruits are talismans
Dipsacus laciniatus		Aerial parts						Home protection against evil forces
Galium aparine	Whole plant						Used for custom for St. George's Day (celebrated on May 6)
Galium verum		Aerial parts						Against spells, used for making garlands on the Fest day dedicate to St. John (celebrated on July 7)
Geranium macrorrhizum		Whole plant								Ornamental plant
		Flowers						Used on the Fest day dedicate to St. George (celebrated on May 6)
		Flowers and leaves						Used for making garlands on the Fest day dedicate to St. George (celebrated on May 6)
Helleborus odorus		Aerial parts						Protection against evil forces used fresh on the Fest day dedicate to St. George (celebrated on May 6)
		Flowers						Gate decoration for St. George's Day (celebrated on May 6)
	Leaves						Gate decoration for St. George's Day (celebrated on May 6)
Humulus lupulus		Fruits								Stuffing pillows for better sleep
Hypericum perforatum		Aerial parts						Used for making garlands on the Fest day dedicate to St. John (celebrated on July 7)
			Flowers		Infusion			Tea made of flowers is drunk against evil spirits
				Oil extract					As a cosmetic aid, face mask
Laserpitium latifolium*		Roots						Dry roots are used for protection from evil forces and spells (home and personality protection)
		Whole plant						Whole fresh plant is used as home protector against evil forces
Melilotus officinalis		Aerial parts						Protection against evil forces
Melissa officinalis			Leaves			Fresh					Fresh leaves are used for bee swarming
Peucedanum longifolium		Whole plant								Ornamental plant
Pinus nigra J. F		Trunk								Resin source
Quercus cerris		Branches						Branches with leaves is used for orthodox Christmas as ceremonial tree
		Trunk								Firewood
Rosa canina		Seeds			Balm					Cosmetic product for face care routine
		Petals			Micellar water					Cosmetic product for face care routine
Salix alba		Twigs						Young twig is placed around the waist to prevent back pain for whole year at St. George's Day, twigs with leaves are used to make garlands for St. George's Day (celebrated on May 6). Fresh twigs are used for gate decoration for Lazarus Saturday		Homemade baskets from twigs without leaves
Salix purpurea	Twigs						Gate decoration for St. George's Day (celebrated on May 6)
Sambucus ebulus	Fruits								Fruits were recalled for ink making
Sempervivum tectorum		Whole plant						Grown in the garden as home protection
Tanacetum vulgare		Aerial parts								For bouquets, ornamental plant
		Flowers						Fresh flowers are used for making garlands on the Fest day dedicate to St. John (celebrated on July 7), decorative
					Decoction			Protection against evil forces by sprinkling
Taraxacum sect. Ruderalia		Flowers			Decoction					Egg dyeing
Teucrium chamaedrys		Flowers and leaves			Infusion					Hair washing
Tilia platyphyllos▲	Flowers			Decoction					Egg dyeing▲
Trifolium pratense		Leaves								Fresh leaf is used for making patterns when eggs are dyed for Orthodox Easter
Urtica dioica▲			Whole plant			Cold maceration			Vegetable plants and flowers watering	Spraying vegetables, insecticide
						Decoction			Strengthening hair root	Egg dyeing
			Aerial parts		Decoction					Egg dyeing, strengthening hair root
					Infusion					Spraying peppers and tomatoes
						Maceration			Mixed with garlic is used as a pesticide	Spraying vegetables, insecticide
			Leaves	Fresh, revetment					Rubbing ear before piercing▲
					Decoction					Strengthening hair root
			Roots			Decoction				Against hair loss, hair washing, head rinse	Strengthening hair roots
Xeranthemum cylindraceum*	Aerial parts								Homemade broom

*First time mentioned usage in Serbia; ▲ New usage of well known traditional plants

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