title: Ethnobotanical study on traditional use of medicinal plants in South-Western Serbia, Zlatibor district.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This paper provides significant ethnobotanical information on medicinal plant uses in the Zlatibor district, South-Western Serbia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey was performed using questionnaires with 220 informants (mean age 47, 79% female, 21% male). In addition, the use value and the relative importance of species were determined and the informant consensus factor was calculated for the medicinal plants included in the study. Intended plants usage was compared with previous ethnobotanical literature, with reference to the neighboring areas of Zlatibor district.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The informants provided data for 69 medicinal plants belonging to 36 families. Rosaceae, Lamiaceae and Asteraceae were the predominant locally used families. The species with the highest use value were Mentha piperita, Matricaria chamomilla, Hypericum perforatum and Achillea millefolium. The most frequently reported medicinal uses were ones for treating gastrointestinal ailments, respiratory problems and skin diseases. Usually, the administration was primarily oral followed by topical applications. All different plant parts were utilized, however leaves were the most exploited parts of the plants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Folk medicine in South-Western Serbia, Zlatibor district is intended mainly as a mode of primary health care in healing of minor illnesses. The results indicate a slight reduction in the ethnobotanical and medical knowledge in this area, when compared with neighboring regions.
authors: Institute for Medicinal Plants Research, Tadeuša Košćuška 1, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia. ksavikin@mocbilja.rs
authors: Katarina
authors: K
authors: Savikin
authors: Gordana
authors: G
authors: Zdunić
authors: Nebojša
authors: N
authors: Menković
authors: Jelena
authors: J
authors: Zivković
authors: Nada
authors: N
authors: Cujić
authors: Milena
authors: M
authors: Tereščenko
authors: Dubravka
authors: D
authors: Bigović
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004363:Drug Utilization; D019448:Ethnobotany / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008519:Medicine, Traditional / Q000379:methods*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development; D055771:Serbia; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D028321:Plant Preparations