Nutrition and use of wild fruit woody species as integral parts of diabetes treatment in the Pirot District (Serbia)

Етноботаника 6 (2026) (стр. 133-172)

АУТОР(И) / AUTHOR(S):  Stefan Lj. Marković, Slavoljub Uzunović Anđela S. Pančić, Marija S. Marković Olivera Papović, Milica Ilić, Vesna P. Stankov Jovanović

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.46793/EtnBot26.133M

САЖЕТАК / ABSTRACT:

The approach to nutrition as part of diabetes therapy requires careful analysis of scientific knowledge, considering the complexity of the disease and individual variations among patients. Nutrition should be adapted to individual needs, considering factors such as age, gender, level of physical activity, and general health. 

This study focuses on the traditional use of seven commonly foraged wild fruit trees in the Pirot District: cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.), small-flowered black hawthorn (Crataegus pentagyna Waldst. & Kit. ex Willd.), black mulberry (Morus nigra L.), blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), almond-leaved pear (Pyrus amygdaliformis Vill.), European wild pear (Pyrus pyraster (L.) Burgsd.), and cowberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.). Fieldwork was conducted through a survey to document local knowledge. There were 12 reports on the use of wild fruit woody species: two reports on the use of cornelian cherry fruits in the form of decoction; one report on the use of small-flowered black hawthorn fruits in the form of decoction; one report on the use of black mulberry leaves in the form of infusion; two reports on the use of blackthorn fruits in the form of decoction; three reports on the use of almond-leaved pear in the form of decoction (one referring to fruit and two to bark); two reports on the use of European wild pear fruits and bark in the form of decoction; and one report on the use of fresh cowberry fruits.

The traditional use of wild fruit woody species from the Pirot District not only supports prevention, and control of diabetes but also preserves the cultural and ecological heritage of the region.

КЉУЧНЕ РЕЧИ / KEYWORDS:

nutrition, diabetes, prevention, regular physical activity, forest fruit trees, Pirot District

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 (Contracts No. 451-03-33/2026-03/200027, and No. 45103-34/2026-03/200124).

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