Ethnobotanical study on Valeriana officinalis in Bulgaria

This study focuses on the Bulgarian folk botanical knowledge of Valeriana officinalis L. and its aim is to present data about traditional herbal remedies and to give an impression about their contemporary use in relation to the state of the modern herbal market. The study gathered data from more than 35 ethnobotanical and ethnographical sources which provide information for the end of 19th to the middle of the 20th century, in addition to field data collected through semi-structured interviews (2012 – 2014). Two models of use of valerian were outlined: “ritual-leaves (dry, fresh)-external application” and “medical-roots (dry, fresh)-herbal teas”. A total of 28 folk remedies were found which cover a wide range of symptoms ranging from antiseptic, spasmolytic and sedative to cures for edema, cramps and faintings. The main components are medicinal plants (more than 25) from Lamiaceae, Leguminosae and Compositae. The significant participation of species such as Urtica dioica, Ocimum basilicum, Malva sylvestris, Gentiana cruciata, Ruta graveolens, Inula helenium, Tussilago farfara and Juglans regia (green husks) sheds new light on the list of species that are traditionally used in valerian-based remedies [1]. Valerian roots are ingredients of several panacea-remedies, including quinine, “locmaruhu” and honey.

The research found significant loss of traditional knowledge for valerian (less than 10% is preserved today) and indicates the need to discover some of the folk remedies as traditional herbal medicinal products and as a source of new compounds for drugs.

Acknowledgement: The financial support of the National Science Fund of Bulgaria (project DFNI T02/23) is greatly acknowledged by the authors.

References:

[1] Nedelcheva A, Draganov S. Bulgarian Medicinal Ethnobotany: The Power of Plants in Pragmatic and Poetic Frames. In: Pieroni A, Quave CL, eds. Ethnobotany and Biocultural Diversities in the Balkans: Springer NY; 2014: 45 – 46.