An ethnobotanical study on wild medicinal plants sold in the local markets at both sides of the Bulgarian – Turkish border

Abstract

Local markets in urban areas nowadays are refuges for traditional knowledge (TK) and places for disseminating of new knowledge and practices about medicinal plants. [1, 2]. This study aims to investigate the diversity of wild medicinal plants sold in local markets at both sides of the Bulgarian-Turkish border and to understand their role for the local people in prevention, treatment and healing. Data was collected through 2011 – 2014 from local markets by free-listed observations and semi-structured interviews. A total of 39 wild medicinal plants belonging to 18 families were documented (Bg: 28, Tr: 26), which were sold mostly dry as mono-component herbal teas. The plants were used mostly as antiseptic, to treat skin diseases, for stomach problems, cough, cold, asthma and against diabetes. Among the 17 species that overlapped in the study area, the most common species were Cotinus coggygria, Rosa canina, Urtica dioica, Hypericum perforatum, Sideritis scardica (endemic) and Tilia spp. The specific use of plants for border sub-regions can be outlined as follows: as ready prepared herbal mixtures (Bg), as sale of more fresh herbs (Tr), Urtica urens (Tr) as a cultural distinctive plant, wild fruits for healthy and ritual food (hosaf) (Tr) and some rare herbal substances (Fragaria sp., calyx) (Tr). Prunus spinosa was marked as the diabetes perspective plant. It was found in the study that there was confusion and dual use of herbal substance (dried leaves) of Thalictrum aquilegifolium, and registered herbal product, caused by insufficient or lost TK and gaps in the current processes of sustainable use of medicinal plants and management of traditional herbal medicinal products.