Medicinal and Veterinary Plants of El Caurel (Galicia, Northwest Spain)

Journal of Ethnopharmacology 65 (1999) 113–124

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provided by Digital.CSIC Medicinal and veterinary plants of El Caurel (Galicia, northwest Spain)

E. Blanco, M.J. Macı´a, R. Morales *

Real Jardı´n Bota´nico, CSIC, Plaza de Murillo, 2. E-28014 Madrid, Spain

Received 31 August 1997; received in revised form 31 May 1998; accepted 30 September 1998

Abstract

A study of the medicinal and veterinary plants popularly used in El Caurel region (Lugo province, northwest Spain) and their relationships is reported. We obtained data for 85 species belonging to 31 families of vascular plants. Their vernacular names, properties, preparations, mode and popular uses are presented. © 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Folk medicine; Veterinary; Medicine; NW Spain

1. Introduction 5°C (minimum temperatures) and between 15 and 20°C (maximum temperatures), while rainfall El Caurel is an isolated, rural region of Galicia, ranges from 1200 to 1900 mm per year. near Leoń province, but it is a part of the The flora of this region has been well studied by province of Lugo (Fig. 1). The inhabitants live in Amigo (1984) and Guitiań (1984), who listed very small communities. The study area is in- more than 800 species of vascular plants, 40% of cluded within the square of UTM coordinates all Galician flora. The vegetation is mostly made 29TPH52, which is a mountainous region which up of forests of beech (Fagus syl6atica L., reaches 1600 m elevation. A river, Lor, flows Fagaceae), known as ‘faial’ in Galicia, oak (Quer- through the region at about 600 m elevation. The cus pyrenaica Willd., Fagaceae) or ‘reboleiras’, communities are situated between 600 and 1100 birch (Betula alba L., Betulaceae) or ‘abeduales’, m. ash (Fraxinus excelsior L., Oleaceae) or ‘freixoa- The climatic conditions of El Caurel are mild, les’, evergreen oak (Quercus ilex L. subsp. ballota with average temperatures varying between 2 and (Desf.) Samp., Fagaceae) or ‘encinales’ and cultivated chestnut (Castanea sati6a Miller, Fagaceae) * Corresponding author. or ‘soutos’, as well as scrub and grasslands.

The inhabitants of the region are traditional voucher specimen was collected. Each specimen stockfarmers with a small number of animals. has a collection number of Blanco (EBC) and has Their agricultural activity, which is also tradi- been included in MA, the herbarium of the Royal tional, makes it possible for them to be almost Botanic Garden Madrid. completely self-sufﬁcient. Health practices are also traditional, despite the presence of a physician and a veterinarian in the region. Thus, there is a large number of folk medicinal and veterinary 3. Results uses of plants among the population. The purpose of the present research is to docu- The data presented here are part of a more ment medicinal and veterinary uses of plants of extensive ethnobotanical study (Blanco, 1995, northwest Spain, before such information disap- 1996) conducted in western Spain, where 223 pears due to the advancing civilisation. plant taxa were included. From these, 85 species, which have medicinal or veterinary uses, are dealt with here. Tables 1 and 2 show the species and their 2. Methodology medicinal and veterinary uses arranged in alpha- betical order by family and genus. The species Interviews were conducted among the popula- with medicinal uses belong to 30 families, but 25% tion in the course of ﬁeldwork carried out from of which are either in Asteraceae or Lamiaceae. 1989 to 1994. Information was obtained from 39 The popularly used veterinary plants belong to 16 individuals between 30 and 85-years-old, living in families, all of which, except for Saxifragaceae, 17 different communities of the area of study. are included in the families that have medicinal Interviews were not structured, in order to pre- uses. serve a high degree of spontaneity; they were Out of all species listed in Tables 1 and 2 61 informal conversations. More details on intervie- (71.8%) are native, 21 (24.7%) are introduced and wees name, age and localities are given in Blanco three (3.5%) are naturalized. Almost all parts of (1996). From almost all the plants reported, a the plant for each species are used in folk

Fig. 1. Situation map. E. Blanco et al. / Journal of Ethnopharmacology 65 (1999) 113–124 115 Administration Internal Internal Internal plied on the head Internal Anal Internal Rubbing, internal, internal Internal sp. or a 6 Mal Preparation Decoction, Crushed, also with Hypericum perforatum Fried in oil Internal with eggs Infusion Internal Juglans regia Decoction DecoctionInfusionCrushed, juice Gargles External Internal Decoction mixed with Infusion, decoction Internal Infusion Sanitary towel ap- Infusion Bath Leaves Aerial part Aerial part Inflorescence Flowering tops Aerial part a As a vulnerary Aerial part Plaster Popular usesAs an antihemorrhoidalFor dysmenorrhea Aerial part Part used With eggs Against pharyngitis As a vulnerary and cicatrizant Aerial part As a digestive, stomachic and sedative Infusion As an anti-inflammatoryAs an oral antisepticFor dysmenorrhea, as an Leaves emenagogue Leaves Decoction Bath As a digestive and stomachic, against Mouthwash Infusion, decoction Internal As a laxative for children Stem Fresh plant As an antipyretic Aerial part As an antispasmodic Aerial part Oil macerate, decoction, As an ocular antiseptic Flowering tops ã ´ americano ´lsamo Crushed External rnica As an antihaemorrhagic Leaves Fresh plant External ´, te ´ Vernacular name Apio Axenxo Aerial part Perexil, perixe Hedra As an antipyretic Fruit Decoction Piornin Te Manzanilla Ca L. subsp. Colondrillo (Mill.) A.W. Hill As a diuretic Decoction, with eggs (L.) All. L. (1153 EBC) As an antihelmintic L. (491 EBC) As an antihelmintic Mill. (837 EBC) Fiollo As a carminative and diuretic Aerial part L. (1212 EBC) (c) Manzanilla As a digestive and stomachic Flowering tops L. (1143 EBC) As a vulnerary and cicatrizant L. (718 EBC) A L. (1172 EBC) (c) L. (850 EBC) (Aiton) Sherff (1286 Flowering tops ulgare D.E. Meyer (1171 EBC) Aerial part 6 eolens alens 6 6 species (voucher specimen) / gra . A quadri Arnica montana Artemisia absinthium Petroselinum crispum Hedera helix Asplenium trichomanes (1216 EBC) (c) Foeniculum Bidens aurea EBC) (n) Chamaemelum nobile Achillea millefolium (784 EBC)Matricaria recutita dispepsia Senecio jacobaea Apiaceae Family Table 1 Tradicional medicinal plants in El Caurel (Galicia, northwest Spain) Araliaceae Asteraceae Aspleniaceae 116 E. Blanco et al. / Journal of Ethnopharmacology 65 (1999) 113–124 Administration Poultice Internal Internal External Bath Plaster Gargles External Decoction Fresh plant Bath DecoctionSambucus nigra Internal Fresh plantDecoctionInfusion Internal Internal Internal Fresh plant Decoction Decoction Sanitary towel Fresh plant Aerial part Aerial part Sap Leaves Leaves Infusion with Internal young leaves Juice of the fruits Inflorescence Infusion Leaves CrushedInflorescence Plaster Aerial part Infusion Internal Leaves Juice of the leaves To loosen up stiff feet Fresh plant As a cardiotonic Against goutAgainst renal stones; as Inflorescences an antispasmodic As an ocular antisepticAs a vulnerary and antihemorrhagicAs an emolientAs an antirrheumatic and anticatarrhal Fruits Decoction External Internal Bath As a vulnerary and cicatrizantAgainst pharyngitis Aerial part Decoction As an antirrheumatic Aerial part As a vulnerary and cicatrizant Leaves As a vulnerary and cicatrizant External ń ´lsamo santo Fresh plant ´ Vernacular name Popular uses Part used Preparation Artemixe, artemisa Triaca, artemixereal As an antihemorrhoidal Aerial part Macerated in white wine Abedul, bidueiro Abraira, abalaira Berza Juice of the Rompepiedra Mostaza Sabugueiro As an anticatarrhal CuramilTe Decoction Perico Ba Punteira DC. Against gastric ulcer L. As a digestive, stomachic and laxative acephala L. (L.) Borraxa As an anticatarrhal (L.) Schultz L. (794 EBC) L. (853 EBC) Aerial part irens L. (781 EBC) (c) Aerial part L. (1211 EBC) (c) 6 L. var. L. (1257 EBC) (c) L. (848 EBC) Against snake bites Fresh plant L. (1085 EBC) L. (1168 EBC) (L.) Koch. (481 EBC) As a sedative; to loosen up stiff feet ulgare L. (367 EBC) As a vulnerary 6 ellana um tectorum 6 6 i 6 species (voucher specimen) / perforatum . Tanacetum parthenium Bip. (809 EBC) Tanacetum Betula alba Pentaglottis semper Brassica oleracea Corylus a (1307 EBC) (c) Lepidium latifolium Tausch. ex L.H. Bailey (485 EBC) Sambucus nigra Brassica nigra (c) Dianthus hyssopifolius Hypericum androsaemum (840 EBC) (786 EBC) (n) Chenopodium ambrosioides H Sedum telephium Semper (n) Table 1 (Continued) Family Boraginaceae Betulaceae Caprifoliaceae Brassicaceae Caryophyllaceae ChenopodiaceaE Clusiaceae Crassulaceae E. Blanco et al. / Journal of Ethnopharmacology 65 (1999) 113–124 117 Administration Bath, plaster Rubbing Internal External Rubbing Internal Internal Sanitary towel, bath Internal Macerated in alcohol or brandy Decoction Decoction Infusion, decoction Internal DecoctionCrushed Gargles Plaster Decoction DecoctionDecoction Mouthwash Internal Decoction Decoction Decoction Leaves LeavesFruits Fresh plant External Aerial partFlowers Internal Bark Infusion Internal Flowering tops Root Leaves Leaves As a vulnerary and antiseptic Decoction, crushed As a diaphoretic, rubefacient and antir- As a hypotensive, antirrheumatic,sedative diuretic, and vasotonic As a vulnerary and antihemorrhagic As a vasotonic, antirrheumatic and diuretic As an antidiabetic Flowers As toothpaste Aerial part Fresh plant As a dental antiseptic Against renal stones and dental antiseptic As an antipyretic, hypotensivedepurative; and against pneumonia; toweight reduce Root Against pharyngitis; as an anti-inflammatory Mouthwash As a vulnerary and antiseptic Leaves ´, As a vulnerary and cicatrizant Root ´, xenza ´ Vernacular name Popular usesCapelexo, cepalexo Part used Preparation Cereixas de can, cereixas de corriola rheumatic; to treat colds CarqueixaXesta negral Flowers roble, carvallo Uz rubia, uz albarUz bornal, Against uz pleuritis blan-cal As and a as renal an antiseptic antituberculotic and diuretic Flowering tops Infusion xensa Nogal, nogueira ńz Xanza Laı (L.) (Salisb.) Dandy L. (1287 EBC) Cola de cabalo aurantiaca L. (806 EBC) (L.) Link. (857 Bark Fresh plant L. (1099 EBC) L. (1134 EBC) ense Willd. (492 EBC) Rebola, rebolo, Against pharyngitis 6 Planchon (1283 EBC) Toxo, tuxo Againt pleuritis; as an antituberculotic Rothm. (799 EBC) L.(1157 EBC) L. subsp. L. (800 EBC) (c) species (voucher specimen) / minor pyrenaica robur lutea regia . . . . . Umbilicus rupestris (1282 EBC)Tamus communis As an emolient Cytisus scoparius Chamaespartium tridentatum Gibbs (1132 EBC) Ulex gallii U Q G Q Equisetum ar EBC) Erica australis Erica arborea (1227 EBC) J Table 1 (Continued) Family Dioscoreaceae Equisetaceae Fagaceae Gentianaceae Fabaceae Ericaceae Juglandaceae 118 E. Blanco et al. / Journal of Ethnopharmacology 65 (1999) 113–124 Poultice Internal Administration Internal Internal Internal Internal Bath Internal Internal Rubbing Internal Plaster Decoction Plaster decoction Crushed Decoction eggs Decoction, fried with ated in water or milk Fresh plant, eggs Infusion Decoction Bath Crushed and macer- Decoctionwine DecoctionDecoction Internal Infusion Fresh plant Internal Fresh plant Mouthwash Rubbing External Fruits Aerial part Aerial part Infusion, fried with Flowering tops Aerial part Flowering tops Flowering tops Decoction with Aerial part Internal species Leaves Fresh plant Urtica to cure fractures As an anti-inflammatory and analgesic; Plaster As a vermifuge and diuretic Roots As a vermifugeAs an antispasmodic Macerated in brandy Internal As an anti-inflammatory Flowering tops Decoction As an antitussive and analgesic Internal As an antispasmodic and digestive childbirth As an antitussive and hypotensive Aerial part Decoction As a dental and bucal antiseptic Mouthwash As a dental antiseptic;As against a gingivitis digestive, stomachic and sedative As a toothpaste Aerial part Leaves As an antihaemorrhoidal Aerial part Crushed ãza (seeds) Against pneumonia; as an anti-inflammatory Seeds Decoction ´beda As a digestive and stomachic Aerial part Fried with eggs Lino, lin Soldaconsolda Bulbs and roots Loureiro, laurel Ouropeso, oropeso Vernacular name Popular usesNe Part used Preparation Malvela Seixebra Tomillo, tumillo Ourego, origano Aerial part Infusion Internal Herbabuena Maravallo Against nettlerash of Herba de la madre L. (1290 EBC) Romero, romeo, As an anti-inflammatory Flowering tops L. (c) L. (698 EBC) As an anticatarrhal and digestive Infusion Ehrh. (1088 EBC) (L.) Savi (860 L. (671 EBC) (c) Aerial part L.(804 EBC) Silvarda Against erysipelas Roots Hoffmanns. & As an anticatarrhal; to reduce pain after L. (686 EBC) As a vermifuge L. (488 EBC) Against dysmenorrhea; as an antispasmodic Aerial part L. (827 EBC) L. (838 EBC) (c) Xarxa Against pharyngitis; as an oral antiseptic Aerial part (Vand.) Sacc. (506 eolens 6 irens 6 L. (812 EBC) (c) Against uterine prolapse Leaves L. (1295 EBC) (c) species (voucher specimen) / hederacea martagon nobilis scorodonia mattiazzi officinalis sclarea ...... Ruscus aculeatus EBC) Linum usitatissimum L S Calamintha nepeta EBC) G Thymus pulegioides L Mentha x gentilis Rosmarinus officinalis T Origanum Mentha sua Link (1150 EBC) (c)S romeu, romeiro As an anticatarrhal S Linaceae Liliaceae Table 1 (Continued) Family Lamiaceae Lauraceae E. Blanco et al. / Journal of Ethnopharmacology 65 (1999) 113–124 119 Internal Fume Internal Bath External Plaster Internal Internal Internal External PreparationDecoction Administration Fresh plant Poultice Sap Chewed Decoction Crushed Plaster Gelatinous sap External Decoction DecoctionDecoction Bath Infusion Decoction Decoction Bath Bath Roots shoots Aerial part pinnae Leaves Aerial part Aerial part Leaves Styles of theflowers Decoction Rachis of the As an anticatarrhal; against congestion Leaves As an anticatarrhal As a vulnerary; against warts Against pharyngitis Decoction As an emenagogue; against dysmenorrhea cicatrizant; against conjunctivitis Against ulcer; as aAs stomachic an antiseptic and vulnerary Leaves As an anticatarrhal, vulnerary and Internal ń ã As a vulnerary; against warts and gastritis Juice of leaves Fresh plant Colipto, eucalipto Malverisco Figueira, figo Fruits, young Vernacular name Malva As an anti-inflammatory Aerial part Decoction Silva Young shoots ChaveiraSilva macha As a vulnerary Leaves Aerial part Crushed Setecostas, lante Folgueiro Millo Freixo Ceridon (L.) Kuhn. Against burns Labill. (c) L. (839 EBC) Estrellamar L. (851 EBC) As a cicatrizant Bark L. (1289 EBC) (c) As an emolient Schott As a vulnerary and antihemorrhagic L. (852 EBC) Wallr. (708 EBC) As a laxative Decoction L. (768 EBC) L. To stimulate tooth growth Roots L. (1291 EBC) (c) As an antitussive L. (810 EBC) Besser (1209 EBC) L. As an antidiarrheic Fruits Crushed Internal L. (1231 EBC) L. (862 EBC) L. (c) As a diuretic estris 6 species (voucher specimen) Popular uses Part used a neglecta / 6 syl moschata foetidus nitidula caesius mays majus ...... Althaea officinalis M Ficus carica Eucalyptus globulus M Mal Rubus ulmifolius R Pteridium aquilinum (1180 EBC) H R Plantago coronopus Plantago media Z C Fraxinus excelsior Moraceae Myrtaceae Table 1 (Continued) Family Malvaceae Rosa canina Ranunculaceae Rosaceae Pteridaceae Poaceae Oleaceae Plantaginaceae Papaveraceae 120 E. Blanco et al. / Journal of Ethnopharmacology 65 (1999) 113–124 Administration Plaster External Applied on the navel Internal As bracelet External Plaster Bath, directly Internal - Matri or Infusion Bath Crushed Infusion with caria recutita Chamaemelum nobile InfusionInfusion Internal Mouthwash plant applied Aerial part Leaves Fresh plantAerial part External Aerial part Aerial part Against pharyngitis; as an anticatharral Infusion Internal As an anti-inflammatory As an analgesic forAs ears a and vermifuge teeth Aerial part Fried in oil As an anti-inflammatory Aerial part Fried in oil As a buccal antiseptic As a vulnerary and antihemorrhagic Aerial partand digestive Aerial part Decoction Crushed fresh plant Bath As a vulnerary Against dysmenorrhea ń, folla de ń Vernacular name Popular uses Part used Preparation Chupo Lombrigueira As a vermifugeVioleta As a vulnerary and anti-inflammatory Stembark Aerial part Fresh plant Fried with cow fat Entrelaceira Herba caralleira As an aphrodisiacOrtiga, urtiga Aerial part Decoction (L.) Willd. Leaves Decoction, fresh (L.) Willd. Hornem. As a vulnerary and cicatrizant L. (807 EBC) L. (779 EBC) (c) Ruda, rurda Against conjunctivitis Aerial part Besser (684 EBC) L. (864 EBC) As a blood depurative Aerial part species (voucher specimen) / dioica chalepensis . . R Daphne laureola Viola alba Scrophularia balbisii (1204 EBC) chupo (1241 EBC) Anarrhinum bellidifolium Linaria triornithophora U (712 EBC) c, cultivated; n, naturalized. Table 1 (Continued) Family Rutaceae a Urticaceae Thymelaeaceae Violaceae Scrophulariaceae E. Blanco et al. / Journal of Ethnopharmacology 65 (1999) 113–124 121 a C C Animals H C C,S C, S C, S Internal Internal Administration Internal Plaster All InternalInternal C, S PlasterInternal S C,S InternalInternal C, S, H Internal H Internal C Decoction Decoction Fresh plants Rubbing in the mouth C Crushed Decoction macerated in water macerated in water Decoction Internal Decoction Crushed fresh Decoction Aerial part Aerial part Internal Aerial part Decoction Internal P Fruits Bulbs Aerial part Roots Decoction Internal C Popular uses Part used Preparation As a vulnerary; used in castration Against bloating As a vermifuge Against colic Fruits Fried As an antiabortive Aerial part Decoction As an anti-inflammatory andgesic; anal- to cure fractures Against kidney colic As a vulnerary; usedtion in the castra- As a vermifuge Bulbs Crushed in oil or As a vulnerary Against kidney colic Against uterine prolapse Aerial part Agaist bloating; as a vulnerary ´ ń ´ Aerial part Perexil, perixe Decoction Internal P Te Vernacular name Perico Soldaconsolda Herba do lobo Malva Allo Seixebra As a vermifuge Aerial part Loureiro, laurel madre Xanza Herba de la L. (768 L. (1287 Cola de cabalo Aerial part aurantiaca L. L. (786 EBC) L. L. (1187 EBC) Herba do lobo L. (1168 EBC) L. (686 EBC) ense L. (827 EBC) 6 (Vand.) Sacc. (506 Ouropeso As a vermifuge and diuretic Roots Decoction Wallr. (708 um moschata (Mill.) A.W. Hill Aerial part L. (1211 EBC) Triaca Against bloating Aerial part 6 L. (812 EBC) L. (1295 EBC) Against bloating Decoction . illosa L. subsp. 6 M species (Voucher specimen) / ulgare neglecta perforatum ambrosioides lutea crispum 6 martagon nobilis scorodonia mattiazzi sclarea ńz (1227 EBC) ...... (1216 EBC) Thapsia C P T EBC) Veratrum album M Allium sati H L S EBC) EBC) L Equisetum ar T EBC) G Laı S Family Apiaceae Chenopodiaceae Table 2 Veterinary plants in El Caurel (Galicia, northwest Spain) Asteraceae Clusiaceae Malvaceae As a vulnerary Aerial part Fried in oil Liliaceae Lauraceae Equisetaceae Gentianaceae Lamiaceae 122 E. Blanco et al. / Journal of Ethnopharmacology 65 (1999) 113–124 a C C C, S, H C Internal Administration Animals ExternalInternal H C Rubbing in the mouth, Mouthwash Internal C, S Internal C,S Internal Preparation Crushed and macerated Fresh plant, decoction Fresh plant Fresh plant Internal in water Decoction Decoction Rubbing C Decoction Part used Leaves Aerial part Aerial part Aerial part Decoction Internal C, S, H Popular uses Against bloatingAgainst cataracts Leaves Juice of the stem Fresh plant Fresh plant or with fat Against bloating Aerial part As an antidiarrheic As a diuretic Styles of flowers and vermifuge As a vermifuge Against bloating matory; to reduce weight As a diuretic ã ã, As an analgesic and anti-inflam- ã Vernacular name Ceridon Ruda, rurda Chaveira Millo Lombrigueira Brot. (844 Abreirin L. (779 EBC) L. (807 EBC) Aerial part L. (810 EBC) Against warts Aerial part L. (819 EBC) L. (862 EBC) L. species (Voucher specimen) / foetidus laureola majus chalepensis mays hirsuta ...... C R H Z Saxifraga spathularis EBC)S D abelairin Family Papaveraceae Table 2 (Continued) Rutaceae Ranunculaceae Poaceae Saxifragaceae Thymelaeaceae E. Blanco et al. / Journal of Ethnopharmacology 65 (1999) 113–124 123 medicine: aerial part in 43.2% of cases, leaves in septic. The scientific phytotherapeutic use is lim- 23.5%, inflorescences, flowers and flowering tops ited as a stomachic and appetizer (Arteche et al., in 14.4%, roots, rhizomes and bulbs in 6.8%, 1994; Peris et al., 1995). fruits or seeds in 5.3% and bark in 3% of the Glechoma hederacea is very popular in the re- cases. For veterinary uses, aerial parts are the gion as expectorant, as antispasmodic, hypoten- most commonly encountered (62.9%), folllowed sive and against dysmenorrhea. Some by root (14.8%), leaves and fruits. phytotherapeutic uses of this plant had only been As to formulation, the most popular medicinal reported by Font Quer (1961). preparation is decoction or infusion (61.9%) for Helleborus foetidus is used in veterinary treat- internal uses or fresh plants for external use. ment against bloating or tympanitis and also to There appears to be no clear distinction between combat warts. This type of uses has never been decoction and infusion, a similar case as observed reported in the literature. This species is known to by Bonet et al. (1992). Very unusual preparation be poisonous, especially for its effect on the heart were also found, for example, in the case of plants (Mulet, 1991). mixed with eggs and fried as ‘tortilla’ (5.2%), or Juglans regia, the walnut tree has many folk only fried in oil or fat (2.2%). In veterinary uses, medicinal and veterinary uses, such as, its use as decoction (57.7%) is the most widely used method vulnerary and antiseptic is well known in Galicia of preparation, followed by the use of fresh and surrounding areas. However, it is not impor- plants. tant in scientific phytotherapy (Arteche et al., As far as therapeutic use is concerned, there are 1994; Peris et al., 1995). 59 different disease conditions treated. The most Lilium martagon is a very popular plant and is important categories of use are: vulnerary, cicatri- frequently used to treat human and animal dis- zant, antihemorrhagic (18.6%), respiratory com- eases, for example as an analgesic or anti- plains (11.9%), digestive and stomachic (9.3%), inflammatory. anti-inflammatory (4.6%), diuretic (4.1%), oral antiseptic (4.1%) and vermifuge (3.6%). Almost all 4. Discussion and conclusions the species are used alone; very few mixtures of different herbs have been identified. Among the The knowledge on medicinal and veterinary veterinary uses, there are 14 therapeutic purposes, plants appears to be well preserved in Galicia. such as against bloat or tympanitis (20%), as a This represents the last remains of a culture that vermifuge (17.1%), as a vulnerary (14.2%), as a has been orally transmitted since ancient times. diuretic (8.5%) and against colic or ‘torzoń’ Due to the rate of acculturation, which has in- (8.5%). creased since the 1980’s, popular human uses of The following is a brief description of some medicinal plants are currently decreasing. Veteri- interesting uses of a number of species. nary uses, however, are still intact. The primary Chamaespartium tridentatum is considered a reason for this is distrust of professional poisonous plant, but it is very much used in the veterinarians. region. It has been considered a panacea or cure- The interviews show that women have a greater all since the 18th century (Sarmiento, 1787). Sev- and better knowledge about medicinal plants than eral medicinal and veterinary uses, such as men. The following nine taxa, representing 11.1% hypotensive, antirrheumatic and diuretic applica- of medicinal plants and 39.1% of plants with tions, were found in this study. veterinary uses, have common uses for human Gentiana lutea subsp. aurantiaca is a plant en- and animal diseases: Equisetum ar6ense (Equise- demic to the northwestern region of the Iberian taceae), H. foetidus (Ranunculaceae), Laurus no- Peninsula. It is one of the most interesting medic- bilis (Lauraceae), L. martagon (Liliaceae), Ruta inal plants encontered in the present study, which chalepensis (Rutaceae), Sal6ia sclarea (Lami- is used in many different ways: as a hypotensive, aceae), Simethis mattiazzi (Liliaceae), Teucrium vulnerary, cicatrizant, antipyretic and dental anti- scorodonia (Lamiaceae) and Zea mays (Poaceae). 124 E. Blanco et al. / Journal of Ethnopharmacology 65 (1999) 113–124

Of all the species in Tables 1 and 2, the follow- Alarcoń de la Lastra, C., Martıń, M.J., La Casa, C., Motilva, ing are the most popular and reported by almost V., 1994. Antiulcerogenicity of the flavonoid fraction from Bidens aurea: comparison with ranitidineand omeprazole. all interviewees for many different uses: Apium Journal of Ethnopharmacology 42, 161–168. gra6eolens (Apiaceae), Chelidonium majus (Papav- Al-Said, M.S., Tariq, M., Al-Yahya, M.A., Rafatullah, S., eraceae), G. lutea (Gentianaceae), Mal6a sp. (Mal- Ginnawi, O.T., Ageel, A.M., 1990. Studies on Ruta 6 chalepensis, an ancient medicinal herb still used in tradi- vaceae), R. chalepensis (Rutaceae), Sal ia cional medicine. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 28, 305– officinalis (Lamiaceae) and Urtica dioica (Urti- 312. caceae). The uses of the species of Tables 1 and 2 Amigo, J., 1984. Estudio de los Matorrales y Bosques de la have been previously mentioned in books (Font Sierra del Caurel (Lugo). Doctoral thesis, Universidad de Santiago, Spain, p. 248. Quer, 1961; Evans, 1991; Mulet, 1991; Arteche et Aqel, M.B., 1991. Relaxant effect of the volatile oil of Ros- al., 1994; Peris et al., 1995) and in published marinus officinalis on tracheal smooth muscle. Journal of papers (Mascolo et al., 1987; Abdul-Ghani and Ethnopharmacology 33, 57–62. Amin, 1988; Al-Said et al., 1990; Aqel, 1991; Arteche, A., Guënechea, J.A., Uriarte, C. Vanaclotxa, B., 1994. Fitoterapia. Vademecum de Prescripcioń. Asociacioń Alarcoń de la Lastra et al., 1994; Navarro et al., Espanõla de Me´dicos Naturistas y Colegio Oficial de Far- 1994). It would be desirable to carry out phyto- maceúticos de Vizcaya, Spain, p. 958. chemical and pharmacological studies of some of Blanco, E., 1995. Investigaciones Etnobotańicas en la Sierra del Caurel (Lugo) y en la Calabria Extremenã (Badajoz). these species, especially, C. tridentatum (Fa- Doctoral thesis, Universidad Autońoma de Madrid, Spain, baceae), H. foetidus (Ranunculaceae) and L. mar- p. 555. tagon (Liliaceae), since literature review of these Blanco, E., 1996. El Caurel, las Plantas y sus Habitantes. species indicates that they have not previously Fundacioń Caixa Galicia, Spain, p. 203. Bonet, M.A., Blanche´, C., Valle`s, J., 1992. Ethnobotanical been investigated. study in River Tenes valley (Catalonia, Iberian Peninsula). Journal of Ethnopharmacology 37, 205–212. Evans, W.C., 1991. Farmacognosia Trease-Evans, 13 ed. Inter- Acknowledgements americana-McGraw-Hill, Madrid, p. 901. Font Quer, P., 1961. Plantas Medicinales. El Diosco´rides Renovado. Editorial Labor, Barcelona, Spain, p. 1033. The authors wish to thank all the interviewees Guitiań, J., 1984. Estudio de la Vegetacioń Herbaćea de la who generously gave their time and knowledge Sierra del Caurel (Lugo). Doctoral thesis, Universidad de and for their permission to communicate the re- Santiago, Spain, p. 330. Mascolo, N., Autore, G., Capasso, F., 1987. Local anti- sults of the interviews. Lesley Ashcroft revised the inflamatory activity of Tamus communis. Journal of English version of the manuscript. This work was Ethnopharmacology 19, 81–84. funded by Fundacioń Caixa Galicia (Foundation Mulet, L., 1991. Estudio Etnobotańico de la Provincia de Castelloń. Diputacioń de Castelloń, Castelloń, Spain, p. of the Galicia Savings Bank), for which we are 596. very grateful. Navarro, E., Alonso, J., Rodriguez, R., Trujillo, J., Boada, J., 1994. Diuretic action of an aqueous extract of Lepidium latifolium. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 41, 65–70. Peris, J.B., Stu¨bing, G., Vanaclocha, B., 1995. Fitoterapia References Aplicada. Colegio Oficial de Farmaceúticos de Valencia, Valencia, Spain, p. 628. Abdul-Ghani, A.-S., Amin, R., 1988. The vascular action of Sarmiento, F., 1787. Disertacioń sobre las Eficaces Virtudes y aqueous extracts of Foeniculum 6ulgare leaves. Journal of Uso de la Planta llamada Carquesa. Imprenta Hilarion Ethnopharmacology 24, 213–218. Santos, Madrid, Spain, p. 29.