An Ethnobotanical Study Among Albanians and Aromanians Living in the Rraice¨ and Mokra Areas of Eastern Albania

Genet Resour Crop Evol (2015) 62:477–500 DOI 10.1007/s10722-014-0174-6

RESEARCH ARTICLE

An ethnobotanical study among Albanians and Aromanians living in the Rraice¨ and Mokra areas of Eastern Albania

Andrea Pieroni • Alban Ibraliu • Arshad Mehmood Abbasi • Vilma Papajani-Toska

Received: 22 May 2014 / Accepted: 1 September 2014 / Published online: 18 September 2014 Ó Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014

Abstract Ethnobotanical research in South-Eastern used in human folk medicine and 20 plant taxa in local Europe is crucial for providing the baseline data ethnoveterinary practices. In total, 221 preparations, needed for both implementing community-based man- the large majority plant-based, were recorded. Among agement of the local natural resources and (further) the findings, the uncommon food uses of potato leaves developing small-scale markets of local herbal and as a vegetable and lacto-fermented potato tubers (until food products. An ethnobotanical study was carried out the recent past), the widespread use of Chenopodium among (Muslim) Albanians and (Christian Orthodox) and Rumex spp. as wild vegetables, as well as the leaves Aromanians living in the Rraice¨ and Mokra areas of of Ilex aquifolium as a diuretic remedy, dried wild Eastern Albania. The survey was conducted by inter- orchid tubers to treat cough and helminthiasis, and viewing 36 local, elderly individuals from five villages elderberry flowers to treat wounds, deserve further regarding the traditional uses of wild food plants, investigation. Approximately half of the plant uses medicinal foods, and home-made medical remedies reported by Aromanians were not recorded among devoted to both humans and animals. Thirty-six plant Albanians, thus suggesting divergent ethnobotanical taxa were found to comprise the local wild food cuisine pathways, perhaps due to the different religious faiths as well as the cuisine of medicinal foods and cultivated of the two communities, which have prevented inter- plants prepared in unusual ways; 59 plant taxa were marriage over the last few centuries.

A. Pieroni (&) Keywords Albania Á Albanians Á Aromanians Á University of Gastronomic Sciences, Piazza Vittorio Ethnobotany Á Ethnobiology Emanuele 9, 12060 Bra/Pollenzo, Italy e-mail: [email protected]

A. Ibraliu Department of Crop Production, Agricultural University, Introduction Kode¨r Kame¨z, Tirana, Albania In recent years, the entire Balkans (defined as the A. M. Abbasi Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS South-Eastern European region located south of the Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabad, Danube-Sava-Kupa river systems line) has been the Pakistan focus of several ethnobiological studies intended to record a specific section of the bio-cultural heritage, V. Papajani-Toska Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine, Rr. e which is represented by Traditional Ecological/Envi- Dibres 371, Tirana, Albania ronmental Knowledge (TEK) related to the 123 478 Genet Resour Crop Evol (2015) 62:477–500 perceptions and uses of plants (Łuczaj et al. 2013; Luczaj et al. 2013; Menkovic´ et al. 2011; Mustafa et al. 2012a, b; Nedelcheva 2013; Nedelcheva and Dogan 2011; Pieroni et al. 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014a, b; Pieroni and Quave 2014; Quave and Pieroni 2014; Rexhepi et al. 2013; Savikin et al. 2013; Zlatkovic´ et al. 2014) and animals (Lescureux and Linnell 2010; Lescureux et al. 2011a, b). In Albania, in particular, given its complex historical vicissitudes during the past several centuries, the fact that the country remained largely isolated for most of the twentieth century and that small-scale agro- pastoral activities still represent the lynch-pin of subsistence economies for many people living in mountainous and rural areas, TEK-centred studies are Fig. 1 The study sites not only important for understanding local perceptions and uses of plants, but also for providing baseline data autochthonous Balkan populations—Greeks, Illyrians, that can be ‘‘used’’ in projects intended to foster truly and Trakians, or even of Romanian populations, who sustainable rural development programs. moved southwards (Burileanu 1912; Dahmen 2005; On the other hand, the Balkans has served as the Kahl 1999; Schwandner-Sievers 1999; (Trifon 2013); primary European ‘‘sanctuary’’ of wild and cultivated Wace 1914; Weigand 1894; Winnifrith 1987). medicinal and aromatic plants for a few centuries, and They still speak nowadays a language (Aromanian) this is a tradition that continues today (Kathe et al. belonging to the Romanian group; all over Albania there 2003; Londonõ et al. 2008). are probably still only five scattered tiny villages, which However, the use and management of local plant are entirely inhabited by Aromanians (Kahl 1999). genetic resources need to be culturally sensitive; in Thus, the objectives of this study were: (a) to other words, the ‘‘emic’’ perceptions that local pop- document the ethnobotanical knowledge related to ulations have towards their natural environment must plant-based wild food cuisine, medicinal foods, and be taken into account in order to successfully imple- domestic remedies for humans and animals in the ment bio-conservation initiatives. Rrajce¨ and Mokra areas, among the elderly population The goal of the present study, therefore, was to of both Albanians and Aromanians; (b) to compare the further document TEK related to plants in the collected data between the two linguistic communi- mountainous and rural regions of Albania, focusing ties; and (c) to compare these with the findings of other on two areas—the territories of Rrajce¨ and Mokra— ethnobotanical surveys recently conducted in the located in the east of the country, which are largely Western Balkans in order to assess novel and prom- unknown in both the historical-folkloric literature and ising plant uses. the new, increasing eco-tourist trajectories. Moreover, the Mokra area is the home of a small community (Llenge¨/Lunca) belonging to one of the Methods endangered linguistic minorities of Europe (Lewis 2014): the Aromanians, who define themselves in the Study areas study are as Rra˘meni (Rra˘maˆni), while Albanians name them using the term Ç obane¨. The Rrajce¨ and Mokra areas are located in Eastern They are a Latin population of (mainly) Orthodox Albania (Fig. 1). Christian faith, which traditionally practiced a trans- The Rrajce¨ area is located close to the town of humant pastoralism in SE Europe and lives now Prrenjas, within the Shebenik–Jabllanice¨ National Park. scattered throughout the southern Balkans. Their The park, which borders the Republic of Macedonia, ethnogenesis is still disputed; they may represent the was established in 2008 and is one of the sanctuaries in descendants of ancient Latin speakers or ‘‘latinicized’’ Europe for the brown bear and the Balkan lynx. 123 Genet Resour Crop Evol (2015) 62:477–500 479

The Mokra area in contrast is a mountainous were followed. During the interviews, informants territory located to the South of Rrajce¨ and to the were always asked to show the reported plants (fresh West of Lake Ohrid in the district of Pogradec, which or dried). As with the previous fieldwork we is considered one of the most economically disadvan- conducted in the neighboring Gollobordo area (Pie- taged areas of the country (INSTAT 2012). roni et al. 2014b), voucher specimens and photo- In particular, the study was conducted in five graphs were taken. Taxonomic identification follows villages, four of them inhabited by Muslim Albanians, the official Flora of Albania (Paparisto et al. 1988; including Rrajce¨ (662 m a.s.l.) and Ske¨nderbej (976 m Qosja et al. 1992, 1996; Vangjeli et al. 2000), while a.s.l.) which are located in the Rrajce¨ area, and Stranik for Crataegus spp. we referred to the Rosaceae’s (769 m a.s.l.) and Proptisht (557 m a.s.l.) which are taxonomy in Euro?Med PlantBase (Raimondo 2011). located in the Mokra area. The last village, also Local plant names were transcribed following the located in the territory of Mokra, was Llenge¨ (in rules of standard Albanian and Romanian languages. Rra˘maˆni/Aromanian known as Lunca, 968 m a.s.l.), which is inhabited by Orthodox Aromanians only. The Data analysis overall permanent estimated population of the five villages is approximately 1,500 people, and circa 40 of The collected field data were compared with the them represent the last remaining Aromanians living ethnobotanical literature of Albania (Pieroni 2008, in Lunca. 2010; Pieroni et al. 2005; 2014a, b; Quave and Pieroni 2014; Sejdiu 1984) and surrounding coun- Field study tries located in the southern part of the Balkans: Macedonia (Pieroni et al. 2013; Rexhepi et al. The field study was conducted in April 2014; the 2013), Kosovo (Mustafa et al. 2012a, b), Bulgaria sampling was conducted identifying study partici- (Ivancheva and Stantcheva 2000;Ku¨ltu¨r and Sami pants from among elderly individuals who retain 2009; Leporatti and Ivancheva 2003; Nedelcheva traditional knowledge concerning plants. In-depth 2013; Nedelcheva and Dogan 2009, 2011), Romania open and semi-structured interviews were then con- (Borza 1968; Butura 1979; Dra˘gulescu 2006; Pieroni ducted with 36 selected villagers (26 Albanians and et al. 2012); and Greece (Pindus Mt.) (Bara 2005; 10 Aromanians). The participants, including 12 Vokou et al. 1993). women and 24 men, were between the ages of 37 and 95 years, with the majority of the informants from both communities above 65 years of age. Study Results and discussion participants were asked about traditional uses of plants and other domestic remedies in the food and Wild food plant uses and uncommon cultivated medicinal domains (for both humans and animals). plants/uses Specifically, local name(s) of each reported taxon, the plant part(s) used, and in-depth details about their Table 1 presents the recorded data concerning wild manipulation/preparation and food or medicinal foods and medicinal foods (i.e. foods perceived to use(s) were recorded. Study participants were asked have a beneficial effect on health), as well as those to report current uses considered ‘‘traditional’’, i.e. cultivated plants and uses which diverge from the considered part of the perceived cultural heritage, as mainstream uses that are known in the fields of well as uses they could recall from their childhood, economic/food botany and commodity science. In the which may no longer be exploited. Interviews were same table, those taxa and uses that were mentioned by conducted in the native languages of the participants more than half of the study participants are indicated (Albanian among Albanians and Aromanian among in bold type. Aromanians) with the help of two bilingual simulta- Thirty-six plant taxa and 47 overall preparations neous translators. Prior informed consent from all were recorded. participants was verbally obtained prior to conducting As in many other mountainous areas of Albania interviews and ethical guidelines prescribed by the (Pieroni 2008, 2010; Pieroni et al. 2005; Pieroni et al. International Society of Ethnobiology (ISE 2008) 2014a, b), the most important wild vegetables in the 123 480 123 Table 1 Wild foods, medicinal foods, and uncommon cultivated food plants/uses recorded in the study area

Ingredient/food plant taxon Recorded folk Food use(s) (Eventual) reported beneﬁcial ALB RRA˘ name(s) of the effect(s) or other notes plant/animal/ ingredient

Almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. BajameALB Filling for wheat-flour based salty pies (peta) ? Webb) seeds Badger (Meles meles Linnaeus, BaldosaALB Consumed cooked Anti-rheumatic ? 1758) meat Bay (Laurus nobilis L.) leaves DafineÄLB Dried, seasoning in diverse food preparations (esp. river fish) ?? ˘ DafinRRA Bear (Ursus arctos Lineaus 1758) AriuALB Consumed cooked Beneficial for those affected by nervous ? meat diseases (rare) Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) seeds AhuALB Consumed raw as a snack Exaggerated ingestion may cause ? headaches Bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia Willd.) UrofALB Roasted, then in decoction Digestive ? seeds Blackberry (Rubus ulmifolius ManaferraALB Fermented and distilled into raki ? Schott) fruits Carline thistle (Carlina acanthofolia ShoshkaALB Consumed raw as a snack ?? ˘ All.) flower receptacles Turta˘RRA Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra Dhi e ege¨rALB Consumed cooked (rare) ?? balcanica Bolkay 1925) meat KaprollALB ˘ Cherry-plum (Prunus cerasifera Kumbull e Distilled (rakiALB /arcieRRA ) ?? Ehrh.) fruits ege¨rALB ˘ Pruna agraRRA Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) seeds Qiqe¨rALB Flour obtained from the dried seeds is used to bake bread (mixed together with wheat flour) ?? ˘ ZezeraRRA ˘ Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) ThanaALB Distilled into raki (arcieRRA ) CardiotonicALB ?? 62:477–500 (2015) Evol Crop Resour Genet ˘ fruits CorRRA Consumed raw as a snack or cooked with sugar to obtain jams or compotes Anti-diabetic, appetite stimulant, anti- ?? hypertensive, anti-rheumaticALB ; ˘ anti-headacheRRA Crab apple (Malus sylvestris DiviaçkaALB Dried and consumed as a snack or boiled in water (hoshaf) and consumed (also as a ?? ALB Miller) fruits Molle¨ e ege¨rALB recreation tea); fermented and distilled into raki ˘ GormniRRA Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Lule gomariALB Consumed raw in salad ‘‘New’’ use, probably imported via back ? Weber) leaves migration from Greece? ˘ Dock (Rumex patientia L. and R. Liakra e ege¨rALB Filling for wheat-flour and corn-flour based pies (petaALB and pipeqALB ; pitaRRA and Blood depurative ?? RRA˘ alpinus L.) leaves Re¨picALB pispelita ); boiled with corn flour and milk soups (often in milk) KruçeÄLB ˘ S¸ teiRRA ˘ ˘ ˘ Fat hen (Chenopodium album L.) LobtuRRA Filling for wheat-flour and corn-flour based pies (pitaRRA and pispelitaRRA ) ? leaves ee eorCo vl(05 62:477–500 (2015) Evol Crop Resour Genet Table 1 continued

Ingredient/food plant taxon Recorded folk Food use(s) (Eventual) reported beneﬁcial ALB RRA˘ name(s) of the effect(s) or other notes plant/animal/ingredient

Fox grape (Vitis labrusca L.) ripe RrushALB Fruits used for seasoning lacto-fermented vegetables; branches—woven into crowns—are Beneficial for the conservation of ? fruits and branches put on the top of the barrels of the lacto-fermented vegetables lacto-fermented pickles (branches) Good King Henry (Chenopodium Le¨pjetaALB Filling for wheat-flour and corn-flour based pies (petaALB and pipeqALB ) ? bonus-henricus L.) leaves LepitkaALB QuenALB Hare (Lepus europaeus Pallas 1778) LepurALB Consumed cooked (often) ?? ˘ meat LepruRRA Hare bomasus Used as rennet ? Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna L. MurrizALB (C. Consumed raw as a snack ? and C. sericea Dzekov) fruits monogyna: Murriz e voge¨l; C. sericea: Murriz e madhe) Hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) seeds LajthiaALB Consumed raw or dried as a snack ?? ˘ AlunRRA ˘ Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus IriqALB, RRA Consumed cooked Anti-rheumatic ?? Linnaeus 1758) meat Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus ShalganeÄLB Consumed raw as a snack ?? ˘ tuberosus L.) tubers Mere di tereRRA ˘ ˘ Juniper (Juniperus oxycedrus L. and GenepRRA Distilled into arcieRRA ? J. communis L.) cones Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) leaves SallateÄLB Filling for pies ? Milk Drunk Galactagogue ? Mulberry (Morus alba L. and M. ManALB Fermented and distilled into raki ? nigra L.) fruits ˘ Nettle (Urtica dioica L.) leaves HithraALB Filling for wheat-flour and corn-flour based pies (petaALB and pipeqALB ; pitaRRA and Blood depurative; anti-rheumatic ?? ˘ ˘ RRA UrzazRRA pispelita ); boiled with corn flour and milk soups (often in milk) ˘ UrzicRRA ˘ RuzicaRRA ˘ RuzaciRRA Orache (Atriplex hortensis L.) leaves LabodaALB Filling for pies ? LabotALB ˘ Oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) RigoniRRA Dried, seasoning in diverse food preparations and particularly potatoes ? flowering aerial parts

123 Owl (Asio otus Linnaeus 1758) meat BufALB Consumed cooked (rare) ? 481 482 123 Table 1 continued

Ingredient/food plant taxon Recorded folk Food use(s) (Eventual) reported beneﬁcial ALB RRA˘ name(s) of the effect(s) or other notes plant/animal/ ingredient

Pigweed (Amarathus retoflexus L.) leaves NaneÄLB Filling for pies ?? NenzaALB ˘ S¸ tirRRA Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers KompireÄLB Lacto-fermented in water and salt or in cheese and its brine (also 1 year long), ? then consumed Boiled and then lacto-fermented in water and salt ? Potato leaves Filling for pies (normally mixed with onions; used in the past) ? Sloe (Prunus spinosa L.) fruits KulumbriALB Consumed raw as a snack ? ˘ Snail (Helix pomatia Linnaeus 1758) meat Chernas¸RRA Consumed cooked with eggs, leek and onions ? Whey HirraALB Drunk Beneficial to the kidneys, and for ? stomach-ache and ulcers; depurative for all organs Wild boar (Sus scrofa Linnaeus 1758) meat Derri i ege¨rALB Consumed cooked Beneficial for stomach-ache and ulcers ?? ˘ PorcRRA (rare) Wild leek (Allium scordoprasum L.) aerial parts Purri e ege¨rALB Filling for wheat-flour and corn-flour based pies (petaALB and pipeqALB ) ? Wild pear (Pyrus pyraster Burgsd.) fruits GorricaALB Consumed as a snack after letting them ripen on straw; or cooked with sugar ? to obtain a thickened juice (pekmez); fermented and distilled in rakiALB Wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca L.) fruits LuleshtrydheALB Consumed raw as a snack ? Wild thyme and savory (Thymus pulegioides L. Liste¨rALB Seasoning in diverse culinary preparations Honey deriving from its flowers ?? ˘ and Satureja montana L.) flowering aerial parts Rigoni albaRRA considered very healthy (only Satureja montana) Yogurt ricotta (from cow milk) GjizeÄLB Consumed fresh, without salt Beneficial to the spleen ? ee eorCo vl(05 62:477–500 (2015) Evol Crop Resour Genet

ALB: name(s) or use(s) recorded among Albanians RRA˘ : name(s) or use(s) recorded among Rra˘maˆni (Aromanians) In bold: taxa and uses mentioned by at least half of the participants Genet Resour Crop Evol (2015) 62:477–500 483 local cuisine were represented by Urtica, Chenopo- Sixty-three plant folk taxa (59 identified, 4 unidenti- dium and Rumex spp., while the most commonly fied) and 140 preparations were recorded. mentioned wild fruits were Cornus mas and Malus The most commonly used teas mentioned by the sylvestris. study participants included Rosa, Tilia, Oreganum, In addition to a few wild animals, consumed in the Ilex and Sideritis spp., which, with exception of the study areas for the most part in the past and during last two genera, also represent the most common times of famine, a number of uncommon uses of wild infusions in the mountainous regions of North and and cultivated plants emerged from the interviews: Northeast Albania. The case of Ilex aquifolium is particularly interest- • almonds in savory pies, in the lower part of the ing given that the diuretic use of its leaves in teas, Mokra area; which is extremely widespread in the two areas • chickpea flour—mixed with wheat flour—in bak- investigated here, seems to be completely unknown ing bread; in South Balkan ethnobotany, as well in Serbian and • fox grapes as a seasoning, and grapevine branches Bosniak folk and historical phytotherapy (Jaric´ et al. as a preservative in lacto-fermented, pickled 2007, 2011; Pieroni et al. 2011;Sˇaric´-Kundalic´ et al. vegetables; 2010a, b, 2011; Savikin et al. 2013; Zlatkovic´ et al. • wild pears, for preparing both pekmez (a kind of 2014). This finding, therefore, may warrant further concentrated juice) and, via a preliminary fermen- phythochemical and phytopharmacological studies tation, raki (distillate); and an eventual clinical/therapeutical assessment. • potato leaves (until the recent past) as a filling for As for external applications, the most commonly savory pies, which confirms our previous ethno- used remedies were fresh onions, Plantago leaves, botanical findings from Albanians living on the Ulmus bark, fruit distillates (raki) and dried tobacco. Macedonian side of Mt. Korab and Macedonians Other interesting and ‘‘unusual’’ medicinal plant of Gollobordo (Pieroni et al. 2013; Pieroni et al. reports, which may deserve further investigation, 2014b), as well as the tradition of lacto-fermenting include the following: potatoes, in both salted water and cheese brine. • salep (tea derived from dried wild orchid tubers) The latter uncommon folk uses of potatoes, which used to treat cough and helminthiasis; share commonalities with those we recorded among • Petasites leaves used to treat hemorrhoids; Slavs in surrounding mountainous areas, as well as the • Sambucus nigra flowers used to treat wounds; fact that in the study area Albanians name the potato • concentrated mulberry (Morus alba and M. nigra) plant with a Slavic term, could suggest that these juice used to treat hepatitis; customs have been acquired by neighboring Slav • Fomes fungus used to treat burns, wounds, and populations. warts; We observed similar linguistic patterns for Malus • Artemisia absinthium used as a cardiotonic. sylvestris, Atriplex hortensis, and, to a minor extend, Rosa canina, which, in the Rraice¨ area, are traditionally named by Slavic phytonims. Veterinary plant uses These findings could re-address the open question of a possible Slavic influence or even origin of the Table 3 presents the veterinary remedies mentioned Rraice¨ area, as suggested in the past by a few Slavic by the informants; again, as in previous tables, those historians and geographers (Tomic´ 1936; Trifunoski taxa and uses that were reported by more than half of 1992). the study participants are in bold type. Twenty plant taxa and 34 remedies represent the surviving ethno- Folk plant uses in human medicine veterinary heritage. While most of the remedies have a sporadic use, Table 2 presents the domestic folk remedies men- and were used mainly in the past, the widespread tioned by the informants; as in the previous table, veterinary use of dried Helleborus roots and stems and those taxa and uses that were reported by more than its application (inserted in the animal’s ear) confirm half of the study participants are indicated in bold type. what is widely known also in the South-European 123 484 123 Table 2 Folk remedies recorded in the study area for treating human diseases Remedy/medicinal plant taxon Recorded folk name(s) of the Preparation Administration Reported local use(s) or ALB RRA˘ plant/animal/ingredient treated disease(s)

Apple (Malus domestica MollaALB Fermented and distilled into Drunk hot with sugar Cough ? Borkh.) fruits raki (ponçe¨) and inhaled or rubbed on the chest Ash HiALB Boiled in water Drunk Diarrhoea (kids) ? Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) ElbiALB Roasted Decoction Digestive ? fruits ˘ Bean (Phaseolus vulgare L.) FasoleRRA Burned Mixed with oil and Skin inflammations in ? seed externally applied with a babies and kids hen’s feather FasuljaALB Cut in half Externally applied for Dog bite ?? 30 min, then eventually adding melted cheese Bear (Ursus arctos Linnaeus AriuALB Fresh Externally applied Burns; wounds ? 1758) fat Birch (Betula pendula Roth) Me¨shteke¨rALB Tea Drunk Diuretic ? leaves Blackberry (Rubus ulmifolius ManaferraALB Tea Drunk Stomach-ache, diarrhoea, ? Schott) leaves cough Box (Buxus sempervirens L.) BushALB On 13 March in the evening it Ritual use (halaturka/lule Considered apotropaic, ? branches is put with other wild ditvere feast) good for the individual’s branches and flowers under a general health person’s pillow (together with one apple and one walnut); on 14 March in the 62:477–500 (2015) Evol Crop Resour Genet morning a warm water bath with all of these plants is taken Bran KrundeALB Mixed with warm water Externally applied under Mumps ? the ears Butter GjalpeÄLB Fresh Inserted into the ear with a Ear inflammations ? small piece of burning cotton (intended to ‘‘take out’’ the infection) Cooked with wheat flour Consumed Galactagogue ? ˘ Butterbur (Petasites hybridus PanacucuRRA Fresh Externally applied or Haemorrhoids ? G. Gaertn., B. Mey. consumed et Scherb.) leaves ee eorCo vl(05 62:477–500 (2015) Evol Crop Resour Genet Table 2 continued Remedy/medicinal plant taxon Recorded folk name(s) of the Preparation Administration Reported local use(s) or ALB RRA˘ plant/animal/ingredient treated disease(s)

Candle smoke Tymi i qiritALB As such Externally applied Eye inflammations ? Charcoal Qymyr druriALB Wood burned to produced Child exposed to the Evil Eye ? charcoal on which sugar resulting vapours; the together with small pieces of charcoal is eventually put the (presumed) gazer’s in water and the water belongings are thrown used to wash the child’s face, and then thrown away; in other versions, the leftover charcoal has to be put on the feet of a tree on the morning following the procedure described above Cheese DjatheÄLB Melted on fire Externally applied Tooth-acheALB ; Dog ?? ˘ RRA˘ Kas¸RRA bite Chicken feces GlasaALB Dried Hung on dress Amulet against the Evil Eye ? (children) Child feces Mut fe¨mijeALB Fresh Externally applied Eye inflammation ? ˘ Chili pepper (Capsicum BiberRRA Fresh Externally applied with Bruises ? annuum L.) fruits home-made distillate ˘ (arcieRRA ) and covered by hare skin Coffee beans (dried and Kokrra kafejeALB As such Dressed Amulet against the Evil Eye ? roasted) As such Decoction Digestive ? Cold water Uje¨ i ftohteÄLB Fresh Externally applied Burns ? Cornelian cherry (Cornus ThanaALB Tea Drunk Diarrhoea ? mas L.) fruits Fermented and distilled into Drunk hot with sugar Cough ? raki (ponçe¨) and inhaled or rubbed on the chest Cooked in water to obtain a Externally applied or drunk Antispasmodic for pains ? concentrated juice (narden) caused by insect bites;

123 diarrhoea ˘ ˘ Cornelian cherry fruits CorRRA Fresh or dried Tea Cough, cardiotonicRRA ? 485 486 123 Table 2 continued Remedy/medicinal plant taxon Recorded folk name(s) of the Preparation Administration Reported local use(s) or ALB RRA˘ plant/animal/ingredient treated disease(s)

Cornelian cherry flowering ThanaALB On 13 March in the evening it Ritual use (halaturka/lule Considered apotropaic, ? branches is put with other wild ditvere feast) good for the individual’s branches and flowers under a general health person’s pillow(together with one apple and one walnut); on 14 March in the morning a warm water bath with all of these plants is taken Cornelian cherry tree bark ThanaALB Decoction Drunk Diarrhoea ? Cow milk Qume¨sht i lope¨sALB Fresh Drunk Galactagogue ? Cowslip (Primula veris L.) SgrafeteALB Tea Drunk Cough ? aerial parts Crab apple (Malus sylvestris DiviaçkaALB Tea Drunk Appetite stimulant ? Miller) fruits Cups KupaALB As such Externally applied; suction Bronchitis ? is creating using fire primarily generated by matches Dew VeseÄLB Externally applied Warts ? Dog feces Mut qeniALB Mixed with flower and baked Given to the affected Hepatitis ? into a small bread person to consume (the affected person is not supposed to know about

the exact nature of the 62:477–500 (2015) Evol Crop Resour Genet bread) Dog rose (Rosa canina L.) Tre¨ndafil i ege¨rALB , Tea Drunk Diarrhoea (esp. for ?? pseudofruits KermythALB children), fever, haemorrhoids, fatigue, GogolenaALB stomach-ache, cough, RRA˘ Curbiz fatigue, diuretic, panaceaALB ; ˘ recreativeRRA Egg VezeÄLB Fresh Eaten raw Stomach-ache ? Fresh Externally applied Burns ? Mixed with flour Consumed Anaemia ? Mixed with soap and wool Externally applied Fractures ? ee eorCo vl(05 62:477–500 (2015) Evol Crop Resour Genet Table 2 continued Remedy/medicinal plant taxon Recorded folk name(s) of the Preparation Administration Reported local use(s) or ALB RRA˘ plant/animal/ingredient treated disease(s)

Egg albumen Bardhe¨ vezeALB Fresh Externally applied Eye inflammations ? Cooked Externally applied Eye inflammations ? Egg yolk Verdhe¨ vezeALB Mixed with soap Topically applied with a Bruises ? bandage Elderberry tree (Sambucus ShtogALB Fresh Externally applied with Skin inflammations ? nigra L.) cambium honey Elderberry tree flowers ShtogALB Fresh Externally applied Wounds ? Elm (Ulmus sp.) bark VidhALB , Decoction Externally applied Wounds, burns ? VithALB ˘ Ewe (Ovies aries Linnaeus ArmRRA Fresh Consumed Reconstituent ? 1758) thickened yogurt Fig (Ficus carica L.) latex FikALB Fresh Externally applied Bee sting ? Fox grape (Vitis labrusca L.) RrushALB Cooked with sugar and lime Consumed Reconstituent for facing the ? fruits water to obtain a thickened cold winter temperatures, juice (pekmez) cardiotonic Fox grape unripe fruit juice RrushALB Fresh Externally applied Bee sting ? Fox grape fruits and fruit stalks RrushALB Fermented and distilled into Drunk hot with sugar Cough, flu ? raki (ponçe¨) and inhaled or rubbed on the breast Externally applied Wounds, bruises, ? rheumatisms Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Hudhe¨raALB In necklaces Dressed Amulet against the Evil Eye ? Bulb (children) ˘ AiRRA Macerated in cold water One drop applied on the Evil Eye (children) ? child’s eyes Gentiane (Gentiana lutea L.) Bar zeme¨rALB Tea Drunk Cardiotonic ? aerial parts Greater celandine Lule verdheÄLB Fresh Burned on charcoal; the Evil Eye ? (Chelidonium majus L.) resulting vapours are aerial parts inhaled Greater celandine latex Lule verdheÄLB As such Externally applied Warts ? 123 487 488 123 Table 2 continued Remedy/medicinal plant taxon Recorded folk name(s) of the Preparation Administration Reported local use(s) or ALB RRA˘ plant/animal/ingredient treated disease(s)

Greater plantain (Plantago Lape¨delliALB Fresh External application Wounds ?? ˘ ALB,RRA˘ major L.) leaves S¸iris¸iriRRA (suppurative) Vein of the head is cut and Hepatitis ? the plant is externally applied Gunpowder BarutALB As such Topically burned Wounds ? Hawthorn (Crataegus MurrizALB (C. monogyna: Tea Drunk Cough, fatigue, ?? monogyna L. and C. sericea Murriz i voge¨l; recreationalALB ; ˘ Dzekov) leaves and fruits C. sericea: Murriz e madhe)ALB headache RRA ˘ MurrisRRA Hellebore (Helleborus odorus KukurakALB On 13 March in the evening it Ritual use (halaturka/lule Considered apotropaic, ? Waldst. et Kit. ex Willd.) is put with other wild ditvere feast) good for the individual’s aerial parts branches and ﬂowers under a general health person’s pillow (together with one apple and one walnut); on 14 March in the morning a warm water bath with all of these plants is taken Hen (Gallus gallus domesticus Pule¨ALB Living animal Hen’s ass lying on the area Snake bite ? Linnaeus 1758) of skin bitten by a snake, when the hen dies, the patient will be healed; in

other versions the hen has 62:477–500 (2015) Evol Crop Resour Genet to be slaughtered and immediately applied Holly (Ilex aquifolium L.) Gjemb ariuALB Tea Drunk Diuretic, kidney stones, ?? ˘ leaves PernareRRA stomach-ache (rare), panacea Horse feces Dried and burned Insect repellent ? ee eorCo vl(05 62:477–500 (2015) Evol Crop Resour Genet Table 2 continued Remedy/medicinal plant taxon Recorded folk name(s) of the Preparation Administration Reported local use(s) or ALB RRA˘ plant/animal/ingredient treated disease(s)

Horsetail (Equisetum arvense BishtkaliALB On 13 March in the evening it Ritual use (halaturka/lule Considered apotropaic, ? L.) aerial parts is put with other wild ditvere feast) good for the individual’s branches and flowers under a general health person’s pillow (together with one apple and one walnut); on 14 March in the morning a warm water bath with all of these plants is taken Tea Drunk Diuretic ? ˘ Houseleek (Sempervivum sp.) Ierba da orechieRRA Fresh Inserted in the ear Earache ? leaf juice Human urine UrineÄLB Fresh Drunk Hepatitis ? Externally applied Toothache, wounds ? Drunk Hepatitis ? Juniper (Juniperus oxycedrus De¨llinjaALB Tea Drunk Diuretic ? L. and J. communis L.) cones ˘ Juniper cones GenepRRA Fermented in water to obtain a Drunk Stomach-ache ? beverage Juniper branches Decoction Externally applied Perfuming agent ? Leather belt Rrip lekureÄLB Scraped Externally applied Wounds (haemostatic) ? Leech (Hirudo medicinalis PiavicaALB As such Externally applied to the Haemorrhoids ? Linnaeus 1758) anus Externally applied Hepatitis, varicose veins, ? swollen lips, headache Leek (Allium porrum L.) aerial PrasALB Fresh juice or decoction Inserted in the ear Earache ? parts PurriALB Fresh Externally applied Wounds (suppurative) ? Lemon balm (Melissa Ç aj bleteALB Tea Drunk Digestive, cardiotonic ? officinalis L.) aerial parts (‘‘modern’’ use) Lime IlaçALB Dissolved in water and Externally applied Burns ? emulsified with oil 123 Lime tree (Tilia cordata Mill.) Ç aj bliriALB Tea Drunk Cough, headache, fever, ?? ˘ RRA˘ flowers Ciai bliniRRA hypertension ; panaceaALB 489 490 123 Table 2 continued Remedy/medicinal plant taxon Recorded folk name(s) of the Preparation Administration Reported local use(s) or ALB RRA˘ plant/animal/ingredient treated disease(s)

˘ Maidenhair spleenwort Fier guriALB Tea Drunk DiureticALB,RRA ; ?? (Asplenium trichomanes L.) Fir i ege¨rALB back painALB aerial parts ˘ Therka agraRRA Mallow (Malva sylvestris L.) Me¨llageÄLB Fresh External application Wounds ? leaves Milk Qume¨shtALB Fresh Externally applied Burns ? Mountain tea (Sideritis ÇajALB Tea Drunk Cough, flu, digestive ? raeseri Boss. et Heldr.) Ç aj maliALB troubles, panacea, flowering aerial parts recreatiional; at higher doses considered tranquillising Mud BalteÄLB Fresh Externally applied Burns ? Mulberry (Morus alba L. and ManALB Fruits cooked to obtained thick, Drunk (diluted with water) Hepatitis ? M. nigra L.) fruits concentrated juice (permez) Nettle (Urtica dioica L.) aerial HithraALB Fresh, sometimes mixed with Externally applied Rheumatisms, bruises ? ˘ parts UrzazRRA salt ˘ UrzicRRA ˘ RuzicaRRA ˘ RuzaciRRA Tea Drunk Haemorrhoids ? Not unambiguously identified Gjemb i ege¨rALB On 13 March in the evening it Ritual use (halaturka/lule Considered apotropaic, ? (Eryngium sp.?) (branches) is put with other wild ditvere feast) good for the individual’s 62:477–500 (2015) Evol Crop Resour Genet branches and flowers under a general health person’s pillow (together with one apple and one walnut); on 14 March in the morning a warm water bath with all of these plants is taken Not unambiguously identified KulmakALB Tea Drunk Helminthiasis ? (Juncus sp.?) (aerial parts) ˘ Not identified (aerial parts) NataciokRRA Fresh Externally applied Wounds ? Not identified (aerial parts) Bar zeme¨rALB Tea Drunk Cardiotonic ? Old coin Monedhe¨ e vjete¨rALB As such Worn Amulet against the Evil Eye ? (children) ee eorCo vl(05 62:477–500 (2015) Evol Crop Resour Genet Table 2 continued Remedy/medicinal plant taxon Recorded folk name(s) of the Preparation Administration Reported local use(s) or ALB RRA˘ plant/animal/ingredient treated disease(s)

Onion (Allium cepa L.) bulb QepeÄLB Cut in half and macerated in Macerate externally applied Eye/vision problems ? cold water for 1 month (every day) on the eye Fresh, crushed and mixed with Externally applied Bruises ? salt ˘ ZepaRRA Fresh Consumed raw To recover after abuse of ? alcohol Oregano (Origanum vulgare Ç aj maliALB Tea Drunk Digestive, flu, panacea ?? L.) flowering aerial parts RrigonALB ˘ RigoniRRA Parsley (Petroselinum crispus MagdanozALB Tea Drunk Diuretic, prostatitis ? (Mill.) Fuss) aerial parts Piece of cloth Cope¨ leckeÄLB Burned The resulting ash externally Bruises ? applied Pine (Pinus spp.) wood PishkaALB Burned; the resulting soot is Given to children to drink Cardiotonic ? mixed with women milk Pine and fir (Pinus and Abies PisheÄLB Warmed Externally applied Eye infllammationsALB ; ?? ˘ ˘ spp.) resin BradRRA woundsALB,RRA Plum and mirabelle (Prunus KumbullALB Fermented and distilled into Externally applied Wounds, bruises ? domestica L.) fruits raki rheumatisms, earache Fermented and distilled into Drunk hot with sugar Cough, flu ? raki (ponçe¨) and inhaled or rubbed on the chest Cooked in water to obtain a Externally applied or drunk Antispasmodic for pains ? concentrated juice (narden) caused by insect bites; diarrhoea, cardiotonic ˘ Plum and mirabelle unripe PrunaRRA Fresh Externally rubbed Antispasmodic for pains ? fruits caused by insect bites Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) KompireÄLB Fresh, sliced Externally applied (warm) Eye inflammations ? tuber Quince (Cydonia oblonga FtoiALB Tea Drunk Digestive, cough, fever ? Mill.) leaves 123 Raw wool LeshALB As such Externally applied Rheumatisms ? Red cloth Lecke¨ e kuqeALB As such Placed on the animal Evil Eye (esp. as an amulet ?

for donkeys) 491 492 123 Table 2 continued Remedy/medicinal plant taxon Recorded folk name(s) of the Preparation Administration Reported local use(s) or ALB RRA˘ plant/animal/ingredient treated disease(s)

Red ribbon Fjongo t kuqeALB As such Worn Amulet against the Evil Eye ? (children) Ribwort plantain (Plantago Bar prrere¨sALB Freshly crashed External application, Wounds (also indicated in ? lanceolata L.) leaves sometimes with salt case of internal haemorrhages) Salt KripeÄLB Mixed with water Gargles Tooth-ache ? Thrown on fire Ritual use Evil Eye (gazer’s eye ? would have been destroyed) Mixed with water Footbath Chilblains ? Dissolved in water Solution given to children Eyil Eye ? to drink and also used to wash the child’s face ˘ Sheep sweat Dierse deleRRA ‘‘Collected’’ externally on the Externally applied Tooth-ache ? sheep belly Skin of a just slaughtered lamb Le¨kure¨ e kafshe¨veALB Fresh ‘‘Worn’’ on the body; Flu; broken bones (this ? or goat externally applied procedure is believed to (2 days) ‘‘soften’’ the bones—after that folk surgeons may operate/manipulate bones) Sloe (Prunus spinosa L.) fruits KullumbriALB Tea Drunk Recreational (rare)ALB ; ?? ˘ ZapriRRA stomach-ache, ˘ 62:477–500 (2015) Evol Crop Resour Genet ‘‘healthy’’RRA Spurge (Euphorbia spp.) latex ShpendraALB Crashed Externally applied Hair dyeing ? ˘ St. John’s Wort (Hypericum Lule balsamiALB,RRA Tea Drunk DigestiveALB ; ? ˘ perforatum L.) flowering Ç aj moskoveÄLB Stomach-acheRRA aerial parts Lule breshkeALB ˘ Erbe di taiuraRRA Olelite Externally applied Wounds ? Stone GurALB Heated Externally applied to the To eliminate water in the ? ear ear As such Pressed on the skin Inhibits swelling from ? immediately after an insect bites insect bite ee eorCo vl(05 62:477–500 (2015) Evol Crop Resour Genet Table 2 continued Remedy/medicinal plant taxon Recorded folk name(s) of the Preparation Administration Reported local use(s) or ALB RRA˘ plant/animal/ingredient treated disease(s)

Sugar SheqerALB Thrown on burning charcoal Child exposed to the Eyil Eye ? together with small pieces of resulting vapours; the the (presumed) gazer’s leftover charcoal has to be belongings put on the feet of a tree on the following morning Dissolved in water to obtain a Drunk Cardiotonic, laxative ? syrup (sherbet) Tinder fungus (Fomes EshkeÄLB Dried, as such; or boiled in Externally applied and Warts, wounds, burns ? fomentarius (L.) Fr.) fruiting water and ashes, then the burned body resulting paste is dried Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum DuhanALB Dried, chopped Externally applied Wounds (haemostatic) ? L.) leaves Tomato (Solanum DomateALB As such Hanging Insect repellent ? lycopersicum L.) aerial parts Turkey and Italian oak DushkALB On 13 March in the evening it Ritual use (halaturka/lule Considered apotropaic, ? (Quercus cerri L. and Q. is put with other wild ditvere feast) good for the individual’s frainetto Ten.) branches branches and flowers under a general health person’s pillow (together with one apple and one walnut); on 14 March in the morning a warm water bath with all of these plants is taken Veal (Bos taurus Linnaeus Shpretke¨ viçiALB Cooked Consumed Anaemia ? 1758) spleen Walnut (Juglans regia L.) seed ArraALB Tea Fumigations Cough ? Wild orchid (Orchis spp.) SalepALB Tea Drunk Recreational (rare); cough; ?? ˘ tubers SecaRRA helmintiasis (children); oedemas Fresh, chopped Externally applied Rheumatisms ? Wild pear (Pyrus pyraster GorricaALB Tea Drunk Diarrhoea ? Burgsd.) fruits Wild thyme and savory Ç aj i ege¨rALB Tea Drunk Headache ?

123 (Thymus pulegioides L. and Satureja montana L.) ﬂowering aerial parts 493 494 Genet Resour Crop Evol (2015) 62:477–500

˘ (Guarrera 2006) and Eastern European (Papp et al. 2014;Pe´ntek and Szabo´ 1985) folklore. A substantial number of taxa reported in this ?? ? ? ? ALB RRA section, however, represent ritual plant uses made on ;

˘ 14th March (Dita e Vere¨s), the lunar Spring Day celebrated by Albanians. ALB,RRA Albanian versus Aromanian ethnobotany ˘

RRA Although a thorough comparison between the recorded Albanian and Aromanian ethnobotanical data is not feasible, given the tiny sample of Aroma- earache Hepatitis Eye inﬂammation treated disease(s) nian informants, i.e. the uneven number of informants within the two communities, a general trend can be observed. Approximately half of the plant reports recorded among the Aromanian participants were not recorded among the Albanian informants, while thus indicating a possible notable divergence of the two plant

arising from the roasted rooster traditions. This finding may be easily explained by the isolation of the Aromanian village of Lunca and also the fact that the Albanian and Aromanian communities—both of which presumably represent the most ancient inhabitants of the South Balkans— have been separated for at least four or five centuries by their religious faiths (Albanians are Muslim while Aromanians are Orthodox Chris- tians). Specifically, intermarriage between members Cooked in soup Consumed Hepatitis FreshTeaRoasted in the oven Externally applied Fumigation of the vapours Drunk Cardiotonic, fever, malaria Preparation Administration Reported local use(s) or of the two communities has not been permitted, even during the recent atheistic Communist period of the twentieth century, due to their different religious affiliations. ALB This observation may confirm the results of prior

ALB ﬁeld studies, namely the remarkable role played by ni (Aromanians) ˆ religious afﬁliation in the Balkans not only for the ma t e verdha ˘ ¨ construction of ethnic identities but also for the ALB mbe ¨ sht i gruas

ms transmission of the knowledge, beliefs, and practices ¨ ¨

she related to the natural world and, in particular, to plants ¨ Fe Qume Gjel ke plant/animal/ingredient (Pieroni et al. 2011).

Aromanian folk plant names in Lunca Gallus ( ) Linnaeus

ALB Table 4 shows the comparison between the folk names (better if from of the plants recorded in Lunca (and used for food or L.) aerial parts Artemisia medicine) and the folk names of the same taxa in continued Romania (Borza 1968). : name(s) or use(s) recorded among Rra

˘ A comparison with the folk plant names recorded absinthium gallus domesticus 1758) meat a young woman Wormwood ( Yellow-legged rooster Woman’s milk In bold: taxa mentioned by at least half of the participants ALB: name(s) or use(s) recordedRRA among Albanians Table 2 Remedy/medicinal plant taxon Recorded folk name(s) of the among the Aromanians of the Pindus Mt. in Greece 123 ee eorCo vl(05 62:477–500 (2015) Evol Crop Resour Genet Table 3 Folk remedies recorded in the study area for treating animal diseases or for improving animal health Remedy/veterinary plant taxon Recorded folk name(s) of Preparation Administration Reported local veterinary use(s) or treated ALB RRA˘ the plant/animal/ingredient animal disease(s)

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) aerial JonxhaALB Fresh Fodder Galactagogue ?? parts Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) fruits ElbiALB Boiled Given to Cardiotonic ? animals to eat Charcoal Qymyr druriALB Powdered and mixed with Given to Diarrhea (ruminants) ? salt animals to ingest Chili (Capsicum anuum L.) fruits PiperkeÄLB Dried and powdered Given to Diverse diseases affecting poultry ? chickens to eat ˘ Clove (Trifolium spp.) aerial parts TerfileÄLB,RRA Fresh Fodder Galactagogue ?? Copper sulphate Gur kaliALB Dissolved in water External Lameness ? washes Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) ThanaALB On 14 March hung on barn Ritual use Considered apotropaic, good for the ? flowering branches walls or animal horns (Halaturka animals’ health and a prosperous dairy feast) season Crab apple (Malus sylvestris Miller) DiviaçkaALB Fermented and distilled into Externally Lameness ? fruits raki applied Daisy (Bellis perennis L.) flowering Lule deleALB On 14 March hung on animal Ritual use Considered apotropaic, good for the ? aerial parts horns (Halaturka animals’ health and a prosperous dairy feast) season ˘ Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Iarva di lepruRRA Fresh Fodder Galactagogue ? Weber) aerial parts Fox grape (Vitis labrusca L.) fruits RrushALB Cooked with sugar to obtain Give to Lameness ? a thickened juice (pekmez) animals to eat Fox grape fruits and branches RrushALB Fermented and distilled in Externally Lameness ? raki applied ˘ Greater plantain (Plantago major S¸ iris¸iriRRA Fresh External Wounds ? L.) leaves application ˘ Hellebore (Helleborus odorus KukurakALB,RRA On 14 March hung on barn Ritual use Considered apotropaic, good for the ? Waldst. et Kit. ex Willd.) aerial walls (Halaturka animals’ health and a prosperous dairy 123 parts feast) season 495 496 123 Table 3 continued Remedy/veterinary Recorded folk Preparation Administration Reported local veterinary ALB RRA˘ plant taxon name(s) of the plant/ use(s) or treated animal animal/ingredient disease(s)

˘ Hellebore stem and KukurakALB,RRA Dried Inserted in the ear or placed on the neck of animals Diverse diseases (sheep); ?? root pneumonitis (horses)ALB ˘ Horse chestnut Castagna agraRRA As such Given to animals to eat Respiratory diseases ? (Aesculus hippocastanum L.) seeds Fresh Crushed and rubbed on sheep necks Wolf bites on sheep necks ? Lime IlaçALB Dissolved in water Externally applied Hoof inflammations ? Mud BalteÄLB As such Given the animal to ingest Diarrhoea ? Oak (Quercus DushkALB On 14 March hung Ritual use (Halaturka feast) Considered apotropaic, good for ? frainetto Ten. and on barn walls the animals’ health and a Q. cerri L. prosperous dairy season branches Oil VajALB As such Given to animals to drink Constipation ? Olive oil Vaj ulliriALB As such, or mixed Given to the animals to drink To treat poisonings due to the ? with sugar ingestion of toxic herbs or as a digestive Pear (Pyrus DardheÄLB Cooked with sugar to Give to animals to eat Lameness ? communis L.) obtain a thickened fruits juice (pekmez) Plum (Prunus KumbullALB On 14 March hung Ritual use (Halaturka feast) Considered apotropaic, good for ?

domestica L.) on animal horns the animals’ health and a 62:477–500 (2015) Evol Crop Resour Genet flowering branches prosperous dairy season Spurge (Euphorbia ShpendraALB Fresh Externally applied in washes, after the area of the bite is Snake bite ? spp.) latex punctured (with a plant thorn or a pointed hare bone) and poison and blood are expelled Spurge aerial parts ShpendraALB As such On 14 March hung on animal horns (Halaturka feast) Considered apotropaic, good for ? the animals’ health and a prosperous dairy season Sugar SheqerALB Mixed with water Given to animals to drink Constipation ? Dissolved in water Given to animals to drink To treat poisonings due to the ? ingestion of toxic herbs Sulfur Squfe¨rALB Burned in a fire Animals forced to inhale the resulting vapors Foot-and-mouth disease (?) ? Terracotta pot Ç erepiALB Powdered Given to animals to ingest Diarrhoea ? Genet Resour Crop Evol (2015) 62:477–500 497

˘ (Bara 2005; Dahmen and Kramer 1985) could not be instead evaluated, given the restricted and different set of plants considered in these studies. ?? ? ? ? ALB RRA The analysis shows that approx. one third of the recorded folk names related to plants, which were quoted plants by the Aromanians of Lunca, correspond to plant names of the Romanian folklore. This finding confirms the linguistic patterns of the Aromanian, which does belong to the group of the Romanian languages, as well as its original trajectory in the folk plant nomenclature in the study area that seems to have been also remarkably influenced by the Albanian language. animals’ health and adairy prosperous season Panacea for several animal illnesses treated animal disease(s) Ethnobotany and conservation of plant genetic resources in Eastern Albania

The data presented in this study shows that in Eastern Albania there is still a rich bio-cultural heritage related to plants, at least among the elderly population.

feast) Considered apotropaic, good for the This heritage, however, is under threat. Younger community members tend to migrate to Tirana or Western countries for work or to be more and more

Halaturka detached from traditional agro-pastoral activities, thus interrupting the oral transmission of TEK, and subsequently the complex interplay between use and beaten with a woodenblood stick in order to expel Externally appliedExternally applied To stop the fall of wool (sheep) Lameness Ritual use ( management of the plant world, which in turn may affect plant biodiversity as well. The conservation of biodiversity in the two study areas can be implemented than only considering also a March

th ‘‘dynamic’’ conservation of TEK. decoction distilled into raki hung on animal horns Moreover, in one of the most economically disad- Dried, in On 14 Fermented and As such The ear of the animal is cut and then repeatedly Preparation Administration Reported local veterinary use(s) or vantaged areas of Albania, and thus Europe, this ni (Aromanians) ˆ complex bio-cultural diversity is crucial for develop- ma ˘ ing a potential sustainable future in the region. In fact, ALB rural areas in Albania—in part because of its political ˘

ALB and economic developments of the last few decades—

ALB have been largely unaffected by industrialization and ALB, RRA still offer pristine environments, which in the near future could attract eco-tourism and attached Lule manushaqe Gorrica Duhan Recorded folk name(s) of the plant/ animal/ingredient activities. In order to implement projects in this direction, however, we believe that ethnobotanical baseline data Pyrus L.) leaves Burgsd.) is fundamental for proposing speciﬁc traditional crops, Nicotiana continued

Viola odorata wild plants, and products, whose harvesting and : name(s) or use(s) recorded among Rra

˘ gathering could sustain local economies, as they have L.) ﬂowering aerial parts pyraster fruits tabacum Violet ( Wooden stick Shkop druri Wild pear ( ALB: name(s) or use(s) recordedRRA among Albanians In bold: taxa and uses mentioned by at least half of the participants Table 3 Remedy/veterinary plant taxon Tobacco ( done for centuries. 123 498 Genet Resour Crop Evol (2015) 62:477–500

Table 4 Comparison between the Aromanian and Romanian folk plant names Botanical taxon Folk name(s) recorded among the Aromanians Folk name(s) reported among the (Rra˘maˆni) in Lunca (Albania) Romanians in Romania

Abies and Pinus spp. Brad Brad Aesculus hippocastanum L. Castagna agra Castan sa˘lbatic, Castan porcesc Amarathus retoflexus L. S¸ tir S¸ tir Asplenium trichomanes L. Therka agra Stras¸nic Capsicum annuum L. Biber Ardei Carlina acanthofolia All. Turta˘ Turta˘ Chenopodium album L. Lobtu Loboda˘ Cicer arietinum L. Zezera Na˘ul Cornus mas L. Cor Corn Corylus avellana L. Alun Alun Crataegus monogyna L. Murris Paducel, Ma˘ra˘cine Helianthus tuberosus L. Mere di tere Mere de pa˘mıˆnt Helleborus odorus Waldst. et Kit. ex Willd. Kukurak Spıˆnz Hypericum perforatum L. Erbe di taiura Suna˘toare Ilex aquifolium L. Pernare Laur Juniperus oxycedrus L. and J. communis L. Genep Ienupa˘r Laurus nobilis L. Dafin Dafin Malus sylvestris Miller Gormni Mar pa˘duret¸ Orchis spp. Seca Poroinic Origanum vulgare L. Rigoni Sovıˆrv Petasites hybridus G. Gaertn., Panacucu Brustur B. Mey. et Scherb. Phaseulus vulgare L. Fasole Fasole Plantago major L. S¸ iris¸iri Pa˘tlagina˘ Prunus cerasifera Ehrh. Pruna agra Corcodus¸ Prunus domestica L. Pruna Prun Prunus spinosa L. Zapri Parumbar Rosa canina L. Curbiz Ma˘ces¸, Rug Rumex patientia L. S¸ tei S¸ tevie Satureja montana L. Rigoni alba Cimbru Sempervivum sp. Ierba da orechie Urechelnit¸a Taraxacum officinale Weber Iarva di lepru Pa˘pa˘die Tilia cordata Mill. Ciai blini Tei Trifolium spp. Terfile¨ Trifoi Urtica dioica L. Ruzica, Ruzaci Urzica˘ In bold: similar folk names

Conclusions wild foods and domestic remedies as well. The ethnobotanical data recorded in this study provides The traditional knowledge recorded in the Rrajce¨ and an important basis for both further phytotherapeutical Mokra areas of Eastern Albanian is demonstrative of a or nutritional research and possible rural development remarkable cultural heritage related to plants and other programs.

123 Genet Resour Crop Evol (2015) 62:477–500 499

Among the findings, the uncommon food uses of Ivancheva S, Stantcheva B (2000) Ethnobotanical inventory of potato leaves and lacto-fermented potato tubers, the medicinal plants in Bulgaria. J Ethnopharmacol 69:165–172 concentrated juice of wild pears, I. aquifolium tea as a Jaric´ S, Popovic´ Z, Macˇukanovic´-Jocic´ M, Djurdjevic´ L, Mi- diuretic remedy, dried wild orchid tuber tea to treat jatovic´ M, Karadzˇic´ B, Mitrovic´ M, Pavlovic´ P (2007) An cough and helminthiasis, and elderberry flowers to ethnobotanical study on the usage of wild medicinal herbs treat wounds, deserve further investigation. from Kopaonik Mountain (Central Serbia). J Ethnophar- macol 111:160–175 Approximately half of the plant uses reported by Jaric´ S, Mitrovic´ M, Djurdjevic´ L, Kostic´ O, Gajic´ G, Pavlovic´ Aromanians were not recorded among Albanians, thus D, Pavlovic´ P (2011) Phytotherapy in medieval Serbian suggesting divergent ethnobotanical pathways, per- medicine according to the pharmacological manuscripts of haps due to the different religious faiths of the two the Chilandar Medical Codex (15–16th centuries). J Eth- nopharmacol 137:601–619 communities, which have prevented intermarriage for Kahl T (1999) Ethnizita¨t und raümliche Verteilung der Arom- centuries. unen in Su¨dosteruropa. University of Muenster Further studies in South-Eastern Europe and par- Kathe W, Honnef S, Heym A (2003) Medicinal and aromatic ticularly in Albania should try to address the dynamics plants in Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania. BfN, Bonn of spatial and, possibly, temporal changes of folk plant Ku¨ltu¨r S, Sami SN (2009) Medicinal plants used in Isperih knowledge, as well as investigate in more detail the (Razgrad-Bulgaria) district. Isperih ilçesinde (Razgrad- overlap and exchange of plant knowledge among Bulgaristan) kullamlan tibbi bitkiler 6:107–124 diverse ethnic communities living in the same Leporatti ML, Ivancheva S (2003) Preliminary comparative analysis of medicinal plants used in the traditional medi- environment. cine of Bulgaria and Italy. J Ethnopharmacol 87:123–142 Lescureux N, Linnell JDC (2010) Knowledge and perceptions Acknowledgments Special thanks are due to all the study of Macedonian hunters and herders: the influence of spe- participants from the two study areas; to Elvir Bilali, for the field cies specific ecology of bears, wolves, and lynx. Hum Ecol assistance and simultaneous translations in Albanian; to the 38:389–399 anonymous reviewers, for having improved the Albanian Lescureux N, Linnell JDC, Mustafa S, Melovski D, Stojanov A, ethnolingustic part of the study; to James Macaluso, for Ivanov G, Avukatov V (2011a) The king of the forest: local editing the paper; and to the University of Gastronomic knowledge about European brown bears (Ursus arctos) and Sciences, Pollenzo, for funding the field study. implications for their conservation in contemporary Wes- tern Macedonia. Conserv Soc 9:189–201 Lescureux N, Linnell JDC, Mustafa S, Melovski D, Stojanov A, Ivanov G, Avukatov V, Von Arx M, Breitenmoser U References (2011b) Fear of the unknown: local knowledge and perceptions of the Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx in western Mac- Bara M, Kahl T (2005) Pflanzen im Pindos-Gebirge. Phyt- edonia. ORYX 45:600–607 onyme, Nutzung und Mythen. In: Sobolev ANR, Ju A (ed) Lewis MP, Simons GF, Fennig CD (2014) Ethnologue: lan- Zpsrb b lbakerns vaksx 'nybxecrbx upygg ya Montenegro). J Ethnopharmacol 133:97–107 Volksmedizin. Nendeln, Liechtenstein, Barthel & Barthel Mustafa B, Hajdari A, Pajazita Q, Syla B, Quave CL, Pieroni A Guarrera PM (2006) Usi e tradizioni della flora italiana. Medi- (2012a) An ethnobotanical survey of the Gollak region, cina popolare ed etnobotanica. Aracne, Rome Kosovo. Genet Resour Crop Evol 59:739–754 INSTAT (2012) Gross domestic product for Republic of Alba- Mustafa B, Hajdari A, Krasniqi F, Hoxha E, Ademi H, Quave nia. INSTAT, Tirana CL, Pieroni A (2012b) Medical ethnobotany of the Alba- ISE (2008) The ISE Code of Ethics nian Alps in Kosovo. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 8:6 123 500 Genet Resour Crop Evol (2015) 62:477–500

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