Post on 30-Apr-2023
Ethnobotanical ComparisonBetween the Villages
of Escolca and Lotzorai (Sardinia, Italy)
M. C. LoiL. MaxiaA. Maxia
ABSTRACT. An ethnobotanical comparison between two small com-munities of Sardinia (Escolca and Lotzorai) has been completed. The re-sults indicate the use of a large number of plants for self-medication ofeasily resolved pathologies. Indices have been applied to identify thephytotherapeutic consensus of the two communes in numerical terms.[Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Ser-vice: 1-800-HAWORTH. E-mail address: <docdelivery@haworthpress.com>Website: <http://www.HaworthPress.com> © 2005 by The Haworth Press, Inc.All rights reserved.]
KEYWORDS. Medicinal plant, self-medication, traditional medicine
As a continuation of a study (1-3,5) on medicinal plants used in Sar-dinian popular medicine that was started a few years ago, this contribu-tion contains the results of a comparative ethnopharmacobotanicalsurvey in the communes of Escolca and Lotzorai. Escolca is a small vil-
M. C. Loi (E-mail: loimc@unica.it), L. Maxia and A. Maxia (E-mail: animax@freemail.it) are affiliated with the Department of Botanical Sciences, University ofCagliari and Co. S. Me. Se, Consorzio per lo Studio dei Metaboliti Secondari naturali,viale Sant’Ignazio, 13-09123 Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy.
Received November 19, 2002.
Journal of Herbs, Spices & Medicinal Plants, Vol. 11(3) 2005Available online at http://www.haworthpress.com/web/JHSMP
© 2005 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.doi:10.1300/J044v11n03_07 67
lage in Sarcidano of about 700 inhabitants at an altitude of about 416 mabove sea level in the province of Nuoro in central Sardinia at the foot ofthe Giara of Serri, a basaltic tableland in the shape of a bastion (Figure 1).The town has very remote origins and appears to be of Nuragic origin asevidenced by several megalithic constructions that are unique in Sar-dinia and by a system of walls reinforced by three Nuragic towers thatguarded access to the village in Pre-Phoenician times. Between 1500BCE and 238 BCE, the Nuragic resisted the Phoenicians and theCarthaginians, remaining unquestioned rulers of the hinterland of Sar-dinia until the Roman conquest.
The territory of Escolca does not possess one watercourse worthy ofmention, but only torrents, due to irregular rainfall and an unfavorablegeological composition. Vegetation is abundant only around the smallwater torrents. Residues of an ancient forest of holm oak and pubescentoak inhabit the valley bottom. The predominant activities in this terri-tory are agro-pastoral with the cultivation of cereals and legumes andthe growing of olives.
68 JOURNAL OF HERBS, SPICES & MEDICINAL PLANTS
Sassari
Nucro
Oristano
Escolca
Lotzoral
Cagilari
MEDITERRANEAN SEA
FIGURE 1. Sample locations.
Lotzorai is a small village of about two thousand inhabitants belong-ing to the region of Ogliastra in the province of Nuoro. The village, onthe eastern coast of Sardinia, is about 1 km from the sea at an altitude ofabout 10 m above sea level. In the past, the economy was based on agri-culture and, to a lesser extent, on livestock. With the tourist boom in thepast 50 years, new sources of sustenance, such as the hotel industry andfishing, have developed and contributed to the growth of the village.The territory of Lotzorai possesses several monuments of the Pre-Nuragic Age (domus de janas and menhirs) and of the Nuragic Age(Nuragi and tombe dei giganti). Archaeological finds testify to a Phoe-nician-Carthaginian Age and ruins dated before the XIV century belongto the Castello di Medusa, a fortification built to defend the harbor at themouth of the river in Pisan times. Today, Lotzorai is important for vine-yards, olive groves, and fruit orchards.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A guided interview and survey, using a preformulated sheet, wasused to determine the vegetable resources used in traditional medicineof the study areas (Escolca and Lotzorai) (9). The interviews, conducedover two years and included 217 men and women in the village ofLotzorai and 111 men and women in Escolca. Interviewed subjectsranged in age from 60 to 80 years. The family, collection locality, num-ber of records, drug, preparations, uses in folk medicine, and a special-ization index (ISS) (used to assess the degree to which a single specieswas used for a specific treatment) (5) were recorded for each plant spe-cies used therapeutically.
Plant material was positively identified by showing the interviewedsubjects plant samples according to the procedures of Pignatti (8). Analphabetical floristic list was developed, including the: scientific nameand family of the plant material, number of subject citations by drugand use specifying use and pharmacological action. Moreover, an ex-ploitation index (EI), an index that assesses the degree of phyto-therapeutic utilization was developed and used in the study. Driedspecimens of the described species have been deposited at the Herbar-ium of the Department of Botanical Sciences of the University ofCagliari (CAG).
Loi, Maxia, and Maxia 69
RESULTS
From the elements contained in the floristic list (Table 1) a quota ofplants used in folk medicine at Escolca was determined to contain 53species attributed to 31 families and 52 genera, 51 autochthonous, twoof which were endemic (Scrophularia trifoliata and Vinca sardoa) andtwo exotic cultivated species (Origanum majorana and Petroselinumsativum). In the folk medicine of Lotzorai, 40 species, belonging to 40genera and 23 families, 29 autochthonous, one of which was endemic(Urtica atrovirens), and 11 exotic cultivated species, Allium cepa,Allium sativum, Apium graveolens, Citrus limon, Cydonya oblonga,Eucalyptus globulus, Ocimum basilicum, Opuntia ficus-indica, Petro-selinum sativum, Ricinus communis, and Zizyphus sativa.
In both villages, the drugs consisted mostly of plant leaves (110 re-cords in Escolca and 79 records in Lotzorai) and fruit (Escolca, 35 re-cords; Lotzorai, 55 records) (Table 2). The most widely used modalitiesof administration at Escolca were decoction (122 records) and infusion(59 records), while at Lotzorai the most widely used modalities were in-fusion (131 records) and decoction (55 records) (Tables 3 and 4).
The following points were considered significant: (a) the use of theplants having no association with magical or ritual intermediation,(b) the fewer therapeutic uses in Escolca than in Lotzorai, and (c) therelatively high ISS values (6.11 for Vitis vinifera at Lotzorai and 3.87for Arbutus unedo and Cerinthe major at Escolca), indicating a high de-gree of specialization, and the relatively lower ISS values (0.26 forCichorium intybus at Lotzorai, and 0.37 for Asphodelus microcarpus,Cynoglossum creticum, and Melissa officinalis at Escolca, suggestingbroad use of these plant materials.
DISCUSSION
The data indicate that for Escolca (181 records) the main uses for me-dicinal plants are for treatment of pathologies and disorders of the di-gestive tract (87 records), the epidermis (69 records), and the renal tract(43 records). These aliments were followed by plants used for the heartand circulatory system (32 records) and for the respiratory tract (29 re-cords) and for those used as pain-killers (23 records), those used for thetreatment of eye inflammations (16 records), pathologies and disordersof the nervous system (13 records) and the skeletal system (10 records),and those used as a tonic (9 records). Interestingly, as many as sixteen
70 JOURNAL OF HERBS, SPICES & MEDICINAL PLANTS
Loi, Maxia, and Maxia 71
TABLE 1. Medicinal plants used in Escolca and Lotzorai
Plant species, location,and part used1
Preparation Citations ISS Main therapeuticuse/ailments treated
AnacardiaceaePistacia lentiscus L.
Loc. E. fruit Extract 5 2.76 Rheumatism
ApocynaceaeVinca sardoa (Stearn)
PignattiLoc. E. leaf Infusion 2 1.10 Sedates nausea
AraliaceaeHedera helix L.
Loc. E. Leaf Infusion,cataplasm
3 0.55 Rheumatism,anti-inflammatory, burns
BetulaceaeAlnus glutinosa (L.)
GaertnerLoc. L. Bark Decoction 5 2.18 Anti-inflammatory
BoraginaceaeBorago officinalis L.
Loc. E. Leaf
Cerinthe major L.Loc. E. Leaf, flower
Cynoglossum creticumMill.
Loc. E. Root
Infusion
Decoction
Cream
4
7
2
0.55
3.87
0.37
Stomach pain, intestinalregularization, diuretic,hypotensive
Eye inflammation
Emollient, hydratedburns
CactaceaeOpuntia ficus-indica (L.)
Miller.Loc. L. Cladophyll Direct
application7 3.06 Skin emollient
CaprifoliaceaeLonicera implexa Aiton.
Loc. E. Leaf. Decoction 2 1.10 Diuretic
ChenopodiaceaeBeta vulgaris L.
Loc. E. Leaf Infusion 4 0.74 Lenitive, gentle laxative,reconstituent
CistaceaeCistus spp.
Loc. E. Leaf Infusion 2 1.10 Contusions, analgesic
72 JOURNAL OF HERBS, SPICES & MEDICINAL PLANTS
TABLE 1 (continued)
Plant species, location,and part used1
Preparation Citations ISS Main therapeuticuse/ailments treated
CompositaeAnthemis arvensis L.
Loc. L. Whole plant
Artemisia arborescens L.Loc. E. Flower
Calendula arvensis L.Loc. L. Flower
Loc. E. Flower, Leaf
Cichorium intybus L.Loc. L. Leaf, Root
Loc. E. Leaf
Helychrysum micro-phyllum (Willd.)Nyman.
Loc. E. Leaf, Flower
Infusion,vaporization
Decoction
Infusion,cataplasm
Decoction,Compres-
sion
Decoction
Decoction
Infusion
7
3
4
3
3
3
4
0.61
0.55
0.88
0.55
0.26
0.55
2.20
Anti-inflammatory,emetic, antispasmodic,digestive, sedative
Digestive, stimulant,expectorant
Antispasmodic, burns
Diuretic, disinfectant,vulnerary
Blood purification,arteriosclerosis, anti-arthritis, antispasmodic,digestive
Hypotensive, aperitif,laxative
Expectorant
ConvolvulaceaeConvolvulus
althaeoides L.Loc. E. Whole plant Infusion 2 1.10 Fat digestion
CrassulaceaeUmbelicus rupestris
(Salisbury) DandyLoc. E. Leaf Direct
application2 1.10 Vulnerary
CruciferaeCapsella
bursapastoris L.Loc. E. Leaf Infusion,
decoction6 1.66 Skin emollient, renal
calculus
Loi, Maxia, and Maxia 73
Plant species, location,and part used1
Preparation Citations ISS Main therapeuticuse/ailments treated
CucurbitaceaeEcballium elaterium A.
Loc. E. Root Decoction 2 0.55 Neuralgia, laxative
DiascoreaceaeTamus communis L.
Loc. E. Fruit Decoction 2 1.10 Rheumatism
EricaceaeArbutus unedo L.
Loc. L. Root
Loc. E. Fruit
Decoction
Decoction
6
7
1.31
3.87
Antipyretic,arteriosclerosis
Intestinal astringent
EuphorbiaceaeEuphorbia sp.
Loc. E. Latex
Ricinus communis L.Loc. L. Seed
Directapplication
Extract
2
2
1.10
0.87
Antiverrucose
Laxative
GentianaceaeGentiana lutea L.
Loc. L. Root Infusion 5 0.55 Digestive, aperitif, fever,anorexia
GraminaceaeAgropyron junceum (L.)
Beauv.Loc. L. Aerial parts
Arundo donax L.Loc. L.
Dissepiment
Triticum spp.Loc. L. Fruit
Decoction
Infusion
Compress
6
2
11
1.31
0.44
1.60
Diuretic, urinary system,anti-inflammatory
Hemostatic, vulnerary
Emollient erythema,headache
GuttiferaeHypericum perforatum L.
Loc. E. Leaf Decoction 2 0.55 Vulnerary, burns
LabiataeLavandula stoechas L.
Loc. E. Leaf Infusion 3 0.55 Asthma, headache,palpitation
74 JOURNAL OF HERBS, SPICES & MEDICINAL PLANTS
TABLE 1 (continued)
Plant species, location,and part used1
Preparation Citations ISS Main therapeuticuse/ailments treated
Labiatae (contd.)Melissa officinalis L.
Loc. E. Leaf
Mentha rotundifolia L.Loc. E. Aerial parts
Mentha spp. pl.Loc. L. Leaf
Ocimum basilicum L.Loc. L. Leaf
Origanum majorana L.Loc. E. Leaf
Rosmarinus officinalis L.Loc. L. Leaf
Loc. E. Leaf
Salvia officinalis L.Loc. L. Leaf
Loc. E. Leaf
Thymus capitatus (L.)Hofmgg. et L.K.
Loc. L. Whole plant
Infusion,decoction
Infusion,decoction
Infusion
Infusion
Infusion
Infusion,vaporization
Decoction
Decoction
Decoction
Decoction,infusion
2
4
7
8
3
5
3
4
7
8
0.37
1.11
1.02
3.49
0.55
0.36
1.66
0.88
1.94
0.70
Digestive, lenitive, badbreath
Digestive, lenitive
Anti-inflammatorysedative, helminthiasis
Anti-inflammatory
Neuralgia, sedative,stomach pain
Inappetence, digestive,diuretic, sedative,headache, pruritus
Headache
Stomatic, cooling of oralcavity
Digestive, vulnerary
Digestive, depurative,balsamic, neuralgia,anticatarrhal
LauraceaeLaurus nobilis L.
Loc. L. Leaf
Loc. E. Leaf
Infusion
Infusion
5
4
2.18
2.20
Anti-inflammatory
Digestive
LeguminosaePisum elatius (Bieb)
Asch. et Gr.Loc. E. Fruit Decoction 2 1.10 Nutraceutical properties
Loi, Maxia, and Maxia 75
Plant species, location,and part used1
Preparation Citations ISS Main therapeuticuse/ailments treated
LiliaceaeAllium cepa L.
Loc. L. Bulb
Allium nigrum L.Loc. E. Bulb
Allium roseum L.Loc. E. Bulb
Allium sativum LLoc. L. Bulb, leaf
Decoction
Decoction
Decoction
Infusion,decoction,compress
2
2
2
5
0.44
1.10
1.10
0.44
Renal calculus,antispasmodic
Helminthiasis
Helminthiasis
Hypotensive, diuretic,stomach pain,antibacterial agent,anti-inflammatory
Asparagus acutifolius L.Loc. E. Shoot Decoction 4 1.11 Diuretic, gout
Asphodelus micro-carpus Salzm. et Viv.
Loc. E. Flower Decoction,Cataplasm
2 0.37 Emollient, lenitive, lungdiseases
Ruscus aculeatus L.Loc. L. Rhizome
Loc. E. Leaf
Decoction
Decoction
3
4
0.66
2.21
Gout, hemorrhoids
Antiverrucose
Smilax aspera L.Loc. E. Root
Linum usitatissimum L.Loc. L. Seed
Decoction
Decoction
2
9
1.10
0.79
Asthma
Gout, anti-inflammatory,laxative, gentle laxative,erythema
MalvaceaeMalva sylvestris L.
Loc. L. Whole plant
Loc. E. Leaf
Infusion,decoction,compress
Decoction
12
9
0.87
1.66
Expectorant, anti-inflammatory, laxative,emollient, hydratant,antibacterical agent
Eye inflammation,laxative, pressureregulation
MoraceaeFicus carica L.
Loc. L. Leaf Infusion,decoction
5 0.73 Antiverrucose, coughsedative,anti-inflammatory
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TABLE 1 (continued)
Plant species, location,and part used1
Preparation Citations ISS Main therapeuticuse/ailments treated
MyrtaceaeEucaliptus globulus
Labill.Loc. L. Leaf
Myrtus communis L.Loc. E. Leaf, fruit
Infusion
Decoction
6
4
1.31
0.74
Anticatarrhal,expectorant
Vulnerary, cough,sedative, digestive
OleaceaeOlea europea L.
Loc. L. Leaf, fruit.
Loc. E. Fruit
Infusion,extract
Extract
9
7
0.66
1.94
Hypotensive, baldness,emollient, erythema,laxative, anti-inflammatory
Sore throat, otitis
PapaveraceaePapaver rhoeas L.
Loc. L. Flower
Loc. E. Leaf, flower
Infusion
Decoction
9
3
1.31
1.66
Analgesic, sedative,gout
Sedative
PolygonaceaeRumex obtusifolius L.
Loc. E. Leaf Decoction 2 0.55 Hypotensive, diuretic
PolypodiaceaeAdiantus capillus
veneris L.Loc. E. Leaf
Polypodium vulgare L.Loc. E. Rhizome
Infusion,decoction
Dried
4
2
0.74
1.10
Diuretic, sedative,emollient
Cough sedative
PrimulaceaeAnagallis arvensis L.
Loc. E. Whole plant
Cyclamen repandumS. et S.
Loc. E. Tuber
Infusion
Decoction
2
2
0.55
1.10
Bronchial asthmasedative, stimulant
Abortifacient
RamnaceaeZizyphus sativa Gaertner
Loc. L. Fruit Decoction 3 1.31 Sedative
Loi, Maxia, and Maxia 77
Plant species, location,and part used1
Preparation Citations ISS Main therapeuticuse/ailments treated
RosaceaeCrataegus monogyna
Jacq.Loc. E. Flower
Cydonya oblonga Miller.Loc. L. Fruit
Pirus spp.Loc. L. Fruit
Prunus avium L.Loc. L. Pedicel
Prunus spinosa L.Loc. E. Leaf, fruit
Rosa canina L.Loc. E. Fruit
Rubus fruticosus L.Loc. L. Leaf
Infusion
Infusion
Decoction
Infusion
Decoction
Decoction
Decoction
8
7
4
2
3
5
4
2.21
3.06
0.88
0.29
0.83
0.92
0.88
Diuretic, cardiacsedative
Sedative
Digestive, heartburn
Laxative, depurative,nephrolithiasis
Diuretic, laxative
Diarrhoea, diuretic,reconstituent
Diarrhoea, dysentery
RutaceaeCitrus limon (L.) Burm. f.
Loc. L. Fruit Infusion 4 0.58 Disinfectant,hypotensive, headache
ScrophulariaceaeScrophularia trifoliata L.
Loc. E. Leaf,rhizome
Decoction,cream
2 0.55 Diuretic. vulnerary
UmbelliferaeApium graveolens L.
Loc. L. Seed
Daucus carota L.Loc. E. Seed
Ferula communis L.Loc. E. Leaf
Foeniculum vulgareMiller
Loc. L. Fruit
Loc. E. Seed, leaf
Decoction,gargle
Decoction
Decoction
Infusion
Decoction
2
2
3
3
3
0.44
1.10
0.55
0.44
0.55
Anti-inflammatory,aperitif
Intestinal analgesic
Analgesic, cardiokinetic, nervousstimulant
Digestive, carminative,galactogen
Digestive, galactogen,sedates nausea
records of Cerinthe major and Malva sylvestris for the treatment of eyeinflammations were noted.
In the folk medicine of Lotzorai (229 records), the main uses referredto pathologies of the digestive tract (151 records) and the epidermis(112 records). The plants used as anti-inflammatories (74 records), tocure pathologies and disorders of the respiratory tract (68 records), andto treat the nervous system (57 records) were just as numerous. Theseapplications were followed by plants used as painkillers (36 records),those used for disorders of the renal and heart and circulatory system
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TABLE 1 (continued)
Plant species, location,and part used1
Preparation Citations ISS Main therapeuticuse/ailments treated
Umbelliferae (contd.)Petroselinum sativum
Hoffm.Loc. L. Leaf
Loc. E. Leaf
Compress
Infusion
7
2
1.02
1.10
Skin emollient, diuretic,stomach pain
Cholelithiasis
UrticaceaeCotyledon umbilicus
veneris L.Loc. L. Leaf
Parietaria diffusa M. et K.Loc. L. Whole plant
Urtica atrovirensRequien ex Loisel.
Loc. L. Leaf
Urtica dioica L.Loc. E. Leaf
Compress
Infusion
Infusion
Decoction
6
7
5
5
1.31
1.53
1.09
1.38
Antiseptic, antibacterialagent
Cough sedative,headache
Baldness, gastritis
Baldness, dandruff
VerbenaceaeVerbena officinalis L.
Loc. L. Whole plant Infusion 6 0.66 Inappetence, hepaticdiseases, sedative,antipyretic, cholagogue
VitaceaeVitis vinifera L.
Loc. L. Fruit Decoction 14 6.11 Cough sedative1 Loc. = locality, L. = Lotzorai, E. = Escolca.
(35 records), those used as an antiseptic (29 records), and those used totreat gout (21 records). The therapeutic use of plant materials wasmainly against relatively simple diseases that were easy to diagnose andsolve with an immediate validation of the treatment. Nevertheless, moresevere pathologies of a high incidence, such as arteriosclerosis and goutwere also treated with plant materials.
The exploitation indices (2.44 for Escolca, 2.03 for Lotzorai) indi-cated extensive use (a large number of plants being used for specificpurposes) of plants as compared with the number of plants (2500 taxa)present in Sardinia, signifying the population of the two villages benefitfrom natural resources available within the area. These values werelower than those observed in Urzulei (3.32) (5), but higher than the Eu-ropean average which fluctuates from 2.0 to 2.5 (4,6,7). The differencesin EI among regional villages is related to the degree of isolation of thevillages from the major commercial centers. Such isolation can be geo-graphic, environmental, cultural, and socio-economic.
A few plants, such as Cichorium intybus L., Prunus spinosa L.,Asphodelus microcarpus, Rosmarinus officinalis, Cynoglossum creticum,and Melissa officinalis, seemed to have a generalized use and a very lowspecialization index (ISS). In contrast, others, such as Vitis vinifera,Cerinthe major, Arbutus unedo, Ocimum basilicum, Cydonya oblonga,Opuntia ficus-indica, and Pistacia lentiscus, seemed to have a specific
Loi, Maxia, and Maxia 79
TABLE 2. Quantitative data relating to Escolca and Lotzorai.
Number Escolca Lotzorai
Informants 111 217
Citations (Total No.) 181 229
Citations (No./informant) 1.63 1.05
Medicinal plants (Total No.) 53 40
Medicinal preparations (Total No.) 61 51
Preparations (Mean No./plant) 1.15 1.27
Preparations (Mean No./therapeutic use) 1.42 1.06
Therapeutic uses (Total No.) 43 48
Exploitation index (EI) 2.44 2.03
Sardinian flora (Total No.) 2500
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TABLE 3. Main therapeutic use/ailments treated–Lotzorai.
Body system Therapeutic use–Ailments treated Plant
Cardio-circulatorysystem
Arteriosclerosis Arbutus unedo, Cichorium intybusHaemorrhoids Ruscus aculeatusBlood purification Cichorium intybusHypotensive Allium sativum, Citrus limon, Olea europea
Digestivesystem
Diarrhoea Rubus fruticosusAperitif Apium graveolens, Gentiana luteaCarminative Foeniculum vulgareEmetic Anthemis arvensisStomach pain Allium sativum, Petroselinum sativum,
Pirus spp., Urtica dioicaCholagogue Verbena officinalisInappetence Rosmarinus officinalis, Verbena officinalisDigestive Anthemis arvensis, Cichorium intybus,
Foeniculum vulgare, Gentiana lutea,Rosmarinus officinalis, Thymus capitatus,Pirus spp.
Laxative Linum usitatissimum, Malva sylvestris,Olea europea, Prunus avium, Ricinuscommunis
Gentle laxative Linum usitatissimum
Skin diseases
Antiverrucose Ficus caricaPruritus Rosmarinus officinalisErythema Linum usitatissimum, Olea europea,
Triticum spp.Baldness Olea europea, Urtica atrovirensDisinfectant Citrus limonEmollient Calendula arvensis, Malva sylvestris,
Olea europea, Opuntia ficus-indica,Petroselinum sativum, Triticum spp.
Vulnerary Arundo donaxHemostatic Arundo donax
Nervous system
Neuralgia Thymus capitatusAnorexia Gentiana luteaSedative Anthemis arvensis, Cydonya oblonga,
Mentha spp., Papaver rhoeas, Rosmarinusofficinalis, Verbena officinalis, Zizphussativa
Respiratorysystem
Balsamic Thymus capitatusCough sedative Ficus carica, Parietaria diffusa, Vitas
viniferaExpectorant Eucaliphus globules, Thymus capitatus,
Malva sylvestrisOral cavity cooling Salvia officinalisStomatic Salvia officinalis
therapeutic use and are therefore worthy of being examined in phyto-therapeutic studies.
We noticed a certain interest and confidence in the therapeutic use ofplants, especially in elderly people. This is confirmed by the large num-ber of reports referred common plants, such as Vitis vinifera, Triticumsp., Malva sylvestris, Olea europea, Linum usitatissimum, and Ocimumbasilicum, but also to unusual and rare plants, such as Allium cepa,Cynoglossum creticum, Lonicera implexa, Tamus communis, and Ziziphussativa. The plants with the greatest number of reports were: Malvasylvestris (21 records), Olea europea (16 records), Vitis vinifera (14 re-cords), Papaver rhoeas (12 records), Salvia officinalis (11 records), andTriticum spp. (11 records). No specific reference worthy of note wererecorded for the use of three endemic species (Scrophularia trifoliata,Vinca sardoa, and Urtica atrovirens).
Our data demonstrated that in the villages of Escolca and Lotzorai a
Loi, Maxia, and Maxia 81
Body system Therapeutic use–Ailments treated Plant
Nephritic system
Anti-inflammatory Agropyron junceumNephrolithiasis Prunus aviumDepurative Prunus aviumDiuretic Agropyron junceum, Allium sativum,
Petroselinum sativum, Rosmarinusofficinalis
Renal calculus Allium cepa
Other
Antiarthritis Cichorium intybusAnalgesic Citrus limon, Papaver rhoeas, Parietaria
diffusa, Rosmarinus officinalis, Triticum spp.Gout Linum usitatissimum, Papaver rhoeas,
Ruscus aculeatusAnti-inflammatory Allium sativum, Alnus glutinosa, Anthemis
arvensis, Apium graveolens, Ficus carica,Laurus nobilis, Linum usitatissimum, Malvasylvestris, Mentha spp., Ocimum basilicum,Olea europea
Antipyretic Arbutus unedo, Gentiana lutea, Verbenaofficinalis
Antibacterial agent Allium sativum, Cotyledon umbilicusveneris, Malva sylvestris
Antispasmodic Allium cepa, Anthemis arvensis, Cichoriumintybus, Calendula arvensis
Galactogen Foeniculum vulgareHelminthiasis Mentha spp.
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TABLE 4. Main therapeutic use/ailments treated–Escolca.
Body system Therapeutic use–Ailment treated Plant
Cardio-circulatorysystem
Cardiac sedative Crataegus monogynaCardiokinetic Ferula communisPressure regulation Malva sylvestrisPalpitation Lavandula stoechasHypotensive Borago officinalis, Cichorium intybus,
Rumex obtusifolius
Digestive system
Diarrhoea Rosa caninaAperitif Cichorium intybusIntestinal astringent Arbutus unedoIntestinal analgesic Daucus carotaNausea sedative Foeniculum vulgare, Vinca sardoaCholelithiasis Petroselinum sativumStomach pain Borago officinalis, Origanum majoranaBad breath Melissa officinalisDigestive Artemisia arborescens, Foeniculum
vulgare, Laurus nobilis, Melissaofficinalis, Mentha rotundifolia, Myrtuscommunis, Salvia officinalis
Fat digestion Convolus althaeoidesLaxative Borago officinalis, Cichorium intybus,
Ecballium elaterium, Malva sylvestris,Prunus spinosa
Gentle laxative Beta vulgaris
Skin diseases
Antiverrucose Arbutus unedo, Ruscus aculeatusBurns Cynoglossum creticum, Hedera helix,
Hypericum perforatumBaldness and dandruff Urtica dioicaDisinfectant Calendula arvensisEmollient Adiantus caillus veneris, Asphodelus
microcarpus, Beta vulgaris, Capsellabursa-pastoris, Cynoglossum creticum,Melissa officinalis, Mentha rotundifolia
Vulnerary Calendula arvensisi, Hypericumperforatum, Myrtus communis, Salviaofficinalis, Scrophularia trifoliate
Nervous systemSedative Origanum majorana, Papaver rhoeas,
Polypodium vulgareNervous stimulant Ferula communis
Respiratorysystem
Cough sedative Myrtus communis, Polypodium vulgareAsthma Anagallis arvensis, Lavandula stoechas,
Smilax asperaExpectorant Artemisia arborescens, Helychrysum
microphyllumSore throat Olea europeaLung diseases Asphodelus microcarpus
folk pharmacopoeia is still used to treat a number of pathologies. Thispharmacopoeia includes a relatively large number of plant species con-taining a number of natural active ingredients. Although synthetic drugsare often used in treatment of certain ailments, a remarkable interest andconfidence in self-medication with plants was observed in both the el-derly and young. Many of the natural, plant medicine consumers dem-onstrated vast botanical knowledge and knew the systematic elementsof the species used in treatment. Healers were aware of the need for col-lecting the right amount of drug during the time in which the plant mate-rial would contain bioactive constituents and also knew the modalitiesof preparation and administration.
The two investigated subregions of Sardinia appear to be charac-terized by an ethnic, historical, and cultural identity with substan-tially similar phytotherapeutic traditions, although both villages arelocated in a different territory. Undoubtedly, cultural homogeniza-tion through the availability of mass media on a commercial basishas levelled differences in use between the two folk medicines of thetwo test areas.
Loi, Maxia, and Maxia 83
Body system Therapeutic use–Ailment treated Plant
Nephritic system
Renal calculus Capsella bursa-pastorisDiuretic Adiantus capillus veneris, Asparagus
acutifolius, Borago officinalis, Calendulaarvensis, Crategus monogyna, Loniceraimplexa, Prunus spinosa, Rosa canina,Rumex obtusifolius, Scrophularia trifoliate
Other
Abortifacient Cyclamen repandumAnalgesic Allium roseum, Cistus spp., Ecballium
elaterium, Ferula communis, Lavandulastoechas, Olea europea, Origanummajorana, Papaver rhoeas
Gout Asparagus acutifoliusAnti-inflammatory Hedera helixRheumatism Hedera helix, Pistacia lentiscus, Tamus
communisEye inflammation Cerinthe major, Malva sylvestrisGalactogen Foeniculum vulgareNutraceuticalproperties
Pisum elatius
Reconstituent Beta vulgaris, Rosa caninaStimulant Artemisia arborescens, Anagallis arvensisHelminthiasis Allium nigrum, Allium sativum
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