Traditional use of yarrow („Achillea millefolium“) on Rujan Mountain (southeastern Serbia)

Етноботаника 6 (2026) (стр. 1-32)

АУТОР(И) / AUTHOR(S): Milica N. Simić Bojan K. Zlatković Nataša M. Joković

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.46793/EtnBot26.001S

САЖЕТАК / ABSTRACT:

Rujan Mountain, Achillea millefolium L. (commonly known as yarrow, “jalova mesečina” or “beli cvet” / lule bardhë) is widely used in traditional medicine, as evidenced by a total of 112 documented reports from the local population. Of the total number of reports, 104 reports refer to human ethnomedicine, five to ethnoveterinary use, and three to commercial collection. The species is most commonly applied as an infusion of the aerial parts, but it is also used in the form of ointments, extracts, and poultices. Local inhabitants adapt its use to address diverse health conditions, including digestive, urinary, gynecological, and dermatological disorders. Field research revealed that, among the 31 reported therapeutic applications in human ethnomedicine, 11 represent novel uses that have not been systematically documented in previous studies in the Balkan region. These findings highlight the importance of preserving traditional ethnobotanical knowledge and underscore the potential for further investigation into the therapeutic properties of A. millefolium.

КЉУЧНЕ РЕЧИ / KEYWORDS:

traditional use, Rujan Mountain, Achillea millefolium

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT / ПРОЈЕКАТ:

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 (Contract No. 451-03-34/2026-03/200124).

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