The scent of tradition: an ethnobotanical Story of chamomile in the Niš District

Etnobotanika 5 (2025), Tom 2 (str. 135-150)

AUTOR(I) / AUTHOR(S): Jovana D. Ickovski, Slobodan A. Ćirić, Katarina D. Stepić, Radomir B. Ljupković, Aleksandra S. Đorđević, Marija S. Marković, Vesna P. Stankov Jovanović

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DOI: 10.46793/EtnBot25.135I

SAŽETAK / ABSTRACT:

Matricaria chamomilla L., commonly known by the name chamomile, as one of the most valued medicinal plants in traditional European herbal medicine was used as inspiration for this study. The aim was to investigate the ethnobotanical relevance and contemporary use of chamomile in the district of Niš in southeastern Serbia. Through field research conducted in both rural and urban communities, data were collected via online surveys with the residents of the mentioned district, focusing on traditional knowledge, methods of preparation, and medicinal usage. The results show that M. chamomilla is predominantly used as a mild sedative (15%), for digestive ailments (25%), respiratory conditions (50%), and for dermatolofical problems (30%). The most frequently used preparation is a water-based infusion, followed by topical applications of extracts.The plant is primarily collected from wild populations or it might be cultivated in home gardens, indicating both economic and cultural value. Knowledge is mainly passed down through oral tradition, especially among older female members of the local community. This research highlights the enduring role of M. chamomilla in local health practices and the need to preserve ethnobotanical heritage despite rapid modernization. The study contributes to the broader understanding of plant-based knowledge systems in the Balkans and supports further exploration into the pharmacological potential of chamomile derived from this region.

KLJUČNE REČI / KEYWORDS:

ethnobotany, chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), traditional medicine, Niš District, medicinal use

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT / PROJEKAT:

This research is part of the project „Ethnopharmacological Study of the Region of Southeastern Serbia“, O-02-17, supported by the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts. It was supported by the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia (Contracts No. 451-03-136/2025-03/200124, No. 451-03137/2025-03/200124, and No. 451-03-136/2025-03/200027).

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