Medical ethnobotanical studies in Kosovo

Abstract

Like other countries of Southeastern Europe, Kosovo is a hot spot of biological and biocultural diversity. Although it is rich in this aspect, only a few ethnobotanical investigations have been done in Kosovo. Ethnobotanical investigations have thus far been limited to studies in the Gollak region, Albanian Alps, and a dictionary focused on a review of botanical folk names in diverse Albanian-speaking areas. The most frequently used species in Kosovo for medicinal purposes are Achillea millefolium L., Allium cepa L., Cornus mas L., Crataegus monogyna Jacq. Fragaria vesca L., Hypericum perforatum L., Juglans regia L., Juniperus communis L., Matricaria chamomilla L., Malus sylvestris Mill. Plantago major L., Sambucus nigra L., Urtica dioica L., etc., whereas uncommon medicinal taxa quoted by the informants include Carduus nutans L., Echinops bannaticus Rochel ex Schrad., and Orlaya grandiflora Hoffm., which may merit phytochemical and phytopharmacological investigations. Records of traditional knowledge in Kosovo are demonstrative of a remarkable intangible cultural heritage. Comparison of the collected data with the ethnobotanical findings of previously conducted studies in the surrounding Western Balkan areas showed that more than the half of the Kosovar wild botanical genera quoted as medicines share the same uses in northern Albania, Montenegro, and Serbia. However, the traditional use of plants is declining due to economic factors such as displacement and urbanization processes. This confirms the urgent need to conduct ethnobotanical research in underinvestigated areas and pursue cross-cultural comparative ethnobiological studies among different ethnic groups and neighboring countries in the Western Balkan region. Biological and cultural diversity is a critical component to the success of numerous initiatives, including future economic development, biocultural conservation, and phytotherapeutical research. Moreover, a better understanding of these components can help to foster sustainable uses of plant resources and be useful in the promotion of local biocultural diversity through ecotourism initiatives.