Ethnobotanical Comparison Between the Villages of Escolca and Lotzorai (Sardinia, Italy)

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: <[email protected]>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: [email protected]), L. Maxia and A. Maxia (E-mail: [email protected]) 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

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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



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


TABLE 1 (continued)



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




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


TABLE 1 (continued)



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




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


TABLE 1 (continued)



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




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


TABLE 1 (continued)



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


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


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


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.


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.


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

REFERENCES

1. Ballero, M. and I. Fresu. 1991. Piante officinali impiegate in fitoterapia nelterritorio del Marganai (Sardegna sud-occidentale) (Medicinal plants in phytotherapyin the territori of Marganai–Southwestern Sardinia). Fitoterapia 62:524-531.

2. Ballero, M. and I. Fresu. 1993. Le piante di uso officinale nella Barbagia di Seui(Sardegna centrale) (Plants of medicinal use in Barbagia di Seui–Central Sardinia).Fitoterapia 54:141-150.

3. Ballero, M., F. Poli, G. Sacchetti, and M.C. Loi. 2001. Ethnobotanical research inthe territory of Fluminimaggiore (South-Western Sardinia). Fitoterapia 72:788-801.

4. Bezanger-Beauquesne, L., M. Pinkas, M. Torck, and F. Trotin. 1980. PlantesMedicinales des Regions Temperees (Medicinal Plants of Temperate Regions). Maloine,Paris.

5. Bruni, A., F. Poli, and M. Ballero. 1997. Quantitative ethnopharmacologicalstudy of the Campidano Valley and Urzulei district, Sardinia, Italy. J. Ethnopharma-cology 57:97-124.

6. Garnier, G., L. Bèzanger-Beauquesne, and G. Debraux. 1961. Resources Medicinalesde la Flore Française (Medicinal Resources of French Flora); Vol. I & II. Vigot Frères,Paris. 1115 p.

7. Lokar-Coassini, L. and L. Poldini. 1988. Herbal remedies in the traditional medi-cine of the region of Venezia Giulia (Northeast Italy). J. Ethnopharmacology 22:231-278.

8. Pignatti, S. 1982. Flora d’Italia (Flora of Italy). Edagricole, Bologna, Italy.9. Waller, D.P. 1993. Methods in ethnopharmacology. J. Ethnopharmacology

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Ethnobotanical Comparison Between the Villages of Escolca and Lotzorai (Sardinia, Italy)

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