title: Ethnobotanical and phytomedical knowledge in the North-Western Ligurian Alps.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The ethnobotany of European alpine regions is much diversified and scarcely investigated. These regions retain a well-developed heritage culture and botanical traditional knowledge, favored by the isolated montane location. We carried out a study of therapeutic and traditional uses of native plants of a poorly explored area of the Western Italian Alps in the Ligurian region (NW Italy). The area has been the object of human activities since prehistoric ages, and an obliged crossroad for people moving across Provence, Liguria and Piemonte.
  
  
  METHODS
  The investigation was conducted in the upper Tanarello and Arroscia Valleys by using semi-structured, open interviews. Data were summarized by different indices--Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), Cultural Value Index (CV), Ethnobotanicity Index (EI) and Informant Consensus Factor (Fic).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A group of 65 informants were interviewed, yielding an inventory of 199 botanical taxa from 64 families, and a total of 2661 citations. A total of 13 categories of use were found, of which the most frequent ones were medicinal and food. In addition, 12 main medicinal subcategories were recorded. Botanicals were mainly used to treat digestive system, respiratory system, and the skin. A relevant role was played by plants with digestive and remineralizing properties. On the basis of quantitative analysis (RFC and CV indices) among the 30 most relevant plants are included rare and/or protected species, such as Achillea ligustica, Arnica montana, Gentiana ligustica, Gentiana lutea, and Achillea erba-rotta.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An exhaustive prospect of the ethnobotanical knowledge in North-Western Ligurian Alps has been achieved through the recording of a large number of data. About 50% of the recorded uses have survived in the area. A great traditional importance is retained by species such as Artemisia absinthium, Lavandula angustifolia and Arnica montana which were formerly cultivated and marketed for their therapeutic virtues. A substantial role is also attributable to the tree species Pinus sp. pl., Castanea sativa and Olea europaea that have been exploited as sources of wood/food since long ago. These plants are a natural resource deserving reevaluation among local agriculture and commercial activities.
authors.affiliation: Polo Botanico Hanbury, DISTAV, University of Genova, Corso Dogali 1 M, Genova 16136, Italy. Electronic address: cornara@dipteris.unige.it.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cornara
authors.affiliation: Polo Botanico Hanbury, DISTAV, University of Genova, Corso Dogali 1 M, Genova 16136, Italy.
authors.forename: Arianna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: La Rocca
authors.affiliation: Polo Botanico Hanbury, DISTAV, University of Genova, Corso Dogali 1 M, Genova 16136, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Terrizzano
authors.affiliation: Polo Botanico Hanbury, DISTAV, University of Genova, Corso Dogali 1 M, Genova 16136, Italy.
authors.forename: Fulvio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dente
authors.affiliation: Polo Botanico Hanbury, DISTAV, University of Genova, Corso Dogali 1 M, Genova 16136, Italy.
authors.forename: Mauro Giorgio
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Mariotti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003625:Data Collection; D019448:Ethnobotany; D020834:Ethnopharmacology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008519:Medicine, Traditional / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D028321:Plant Preparations
keywords: Cultural Value Index (CV); Ethnobotanicity Index (EI); Ethnobotany; Informant Consensus Factor (F(ic)); Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC); Traditional medicine