Journal of Ethnopharmacology,

37 ( 1992) 205-2 12

205

Elsevier Scientific Publishers Ireland Ltd.

Ethnobotanical study in River Tenes valley (Catalonia, Iberian Peninsula) M. Angels Bonet, Cksar Blanch6 and Joan Vallks Xirau Laboratori de Botbnica, Facultat de Famkia,

Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Joan XXIII s/n. 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia (Spain)

(Received March 19, 1992; revision received August 5, 1992; accepted August 8, 1992)

An e~no~tanical survey was carried out in the River Tenes valley, in an area of 260 km2 not far from the city of Barcelona. Although this setting might suggest that the area was unsuitabie for research of this kind, the variety of ~cr~limates - which imphes a rich flora - and the existence of small vitlages and isolated houses made it possible to obtain valuable info~ation. We obtained data on 209 species belonging to 60 families and here we present our findings on the properties, preparations and uses. Key work

Catalan ethnobotany; medicinal flora; folk medicine

Introduction The second half of the twentieth century has seen a gradual loss in the value of plants in therapeutics and, as a consequence, in the interest in the use of plants in therapy. Nevertheless, research in this field has increased. What is evident is that popular knowledge on the medicinal uses of plants has not disappeared. It exists, but each day it becomes weaker and we must make an effort to inventory what Schultes (1991) recently called ‘the prolific and promising treasure-trove of the ethnopharmacological knowledge’, before it is too late. In industrialized countries, the erosion of popular information on plants is much faster than in developing ones. In agreement with the latter assessment and despite the fact that most ethnobotanical research is carried out in tropical or subtropical countries, the Laboratory of Botany of the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Barcelona started studies in different zones of Catalonia some years ago. Two papers have been published {Muntan~, 1991, in Cerdanya, Pyrenees; Bonet, 1991, in Tenes valley, the basis of the present paper). Ethnobotanical research in Catalonia has the precedent of Dr. Pius Font i Quer, founder of pharmaceutical ethnobotany in this country Correspondence to: Joan Vallbs Xirau, Laboratori de Botanica, Facultat de Farmacia, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Joan XXIII s/n, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.

(Camarasa, 1984), who worked in different Iberian and north African zones and amassed his data in his well-known book (Font, 1961; 12th ed., 1990). Other Iberian centres of research in pharmaceutical ethnobotany are the Instituto Pirenaico de Ecologia in Jaca (Palacin, 1983; Villar, 1984; Villar et al., 1987) and the Laboratories of Botany at the Universities of Granada (Go~~lez-Tejero, 1985, 1989; Guzman, 1986) and Valencia (Mulet, 1987, 1991). The present study concerns an area (Fig. 1) of 260 km2 with 18 000 inhabitants, in the high valley of River Tenes, a tributary of the Be&s, one of the rivers which flow into the Mediterranean sea near Barcelona. The region is highly variable in lithology and pedology, complemented by the existence of different climates. Mediterranean climate and wet climate are found and geographical contrasts lead to a large number of microclimates in particular zones. The proximity of Montseny mountain influences the climatology of the region. All these factors produce quite variable and rich flora and vegetation, the latter belonging to the do~nions of the holm-oak and oak forests. In the region various types of settlements are found, ranging from isolated farms (‘masies’) or small groups of houses to relatively large villages, all in good communication with each other and with other zones of the country, particularly Barcelona. The population size is now rather stable. The mountain zones have lost and continue

0378-8741/92/$05,00 0 1992 EIsevier Scientific Publishers Ireland Ltd. Printed and Published in Ireland

to he peuple, while on the p%n,where larger villages are found, there is a slight increase in population, due primarily to set&me&s of people coming from Barcelona, The p~edo~~na~t s~~~~on~~~ a&i&s are agricu&ure and stock-breeding on the plain and hosteIlery and commerce in the mountains. Recently, the building sector has increawd, Xnmr&in cases, the exploitation of the laatwal resources has generated economic activities, such as quarries, timber wood and cclrk ~a~ufa~tu~es.

Infarrnation was obtained through general conversatisns without asking direct questions, so as not to coerce the informants and diminish their degree of spontaneity* Whenever possible, the cctnversations were recurded without the knowledge of the informant. Twenty-eight elderiy people (mean age, 67 years; 18 women, 10 men) were interviewed. In some particularly ~~t~~st~~~ cases, more than one interview session was carried out, These people do not have scimtific education and have lived all or most of their livr?sin the region. One of the authors (MAR) aIso lives in the area being studied and the research started with some people she knew, who i~t~odu~ us to ather peg-

pie,dso using plants, untiI a network reasonably large for the size of the study was established. Voucher herbarium specimens were prepared and have been deposited in the Herbarium of the Laboratory of Botany, Faculty of P~a~a~y, University of Barcelona (BCF;I),Complete records of the interviews are also kept in this Laboratory, Further details of the interviews have been presented as a Pharmacy Degree Thesis of the first author (&met, 1991).

Qf 209 plant species cited by our i~f~~a~ts, 177 were mentioned to be used for various purposes, 155 of which have medicinal app~~cat~o~s~ In Table 1 we report the JO species with uses that were cited by at least 3 informants, following the criterion ofJohns et al, (1990), In addition, uses of 33 species were cited by 2 informants and uses of 128 species, by I i~fu~ant; the complete fist of pkmts and uses may be found in Bonet (1991) The parts of the plants most used are, in decreasing order, aerial parts, Ieaves and fruits and/or seeds. fnternd uses largely predominate over external, but a deco&on is the primary form used. The types of diseases or ~o~p~a~~tstreated are,

Escabaiosa

Alzina

Centaura

FAGACEAE Quercus ilex L. (BCF 3629s)

GE~IANACEAE Ce~tu~ri~ erythraea Rafn (RCF 36175, 36176)

Leaf, flower

Bark

Leaf. flower

Leaf epidermis

Flower head

Espernellae

Balsam Balsam de jardi

Flower head

Camamilla

DIPSACACEAE scubiosa atropurpureu L. (BCF 36363)

CRASSULACEAE Sedum teiephium L. {RCF 31206)

Leaf, flower, stem

Floral tops

Leaf

Parts used

Te de rota

Saiic, Saiiquer

CAPRIFOLIACEAE sambucus nigru L. (BCF 36331)

COMPOSITAE JAsOdAsaxAti!is (Lam.) GUS. (BCF 18069) Mutricariu recutitu L. (BCF 36259) Santoh?rachAniuecypArfssust. (BCF 36313j

co1

Herba de la pedreta

Local name

BRASSICACEAE Brassicfz oieraceu L. f3CF 36918)

(BCF 36250. 3625I, 36252)

Lithospermum officinale L.

BORAGINACEAE

Scientific name (voucher specimen)

PLANTS WITH FOLK MEDICINAL USES IN TENES VALLEY, CATALONIA

TABLE 1

Skin-healer, Skin-dryer Antiseptic

Anti-histaminic

Skin-healer

Intestinal antiseptic Digestive Stomachic

For colds

For headaches Antipyretic For colds

For bruises

Aatilithic

Popular uses

Decoction

Decoction Decoction

Decoction

Oral

Bath Bath

Oral

External

I

3

9 5 3 Oral Orai Oral Decoction/Infusion Infusion Deco&ion

Fresh plant

3

3 3 3

3

3

Frequency of citation

Oral

Fume Oral Fume

External

Oral

Administration

Infusion

Burning Essential oil Burning

Poultice

Decoction

Preparation

LYTHRACEAE Lyrhrwn salicaria L. IBCF 35255)

LILIACEAE Liliun candiclum L. (BCF 36244)

ThymuF v&m-is L, (BCF 36331j

c~farrfinrha(L.) Scheelle IBCF 36317, j163.H)

Satureja

LABIATAE Lavandula b@oiia Medic. (BCF 36358) Origaimm rnajoruna L. (BCF 36268) Romrinus offici~aiis L. (BCF 36302, 34303)

GRAMINEAE zeu mays L. (BCF 36363451

GLOBWLARIACEAE Globulariu alypn L. (BCF 36223, 36224)

Scientific name (voucher specimen)

-

Buceal antkeptic Antiseptic

Aerial part

Herba de les cagarrines

Lliri de Sant Antoni

Aerial part

Petals

Antidiarrhoeal

Antiseptic Antkeptic Cicatrkant

Antihypertensive Antiseptic Depurative Stomachic

Leaf, floral tops

ROmani

Leaf

For earache

Leaeaf,flower

Nepta, Remendbria, Rementerola, Rebenterola, Polio1 de bosc, Robins Fadgota

Antirheumatic

Diuretic

Laxative

Popular uses

Floral tops

Styles and Stigmas

Aerial part

Parts used

Barhall6, Barma%, Espigol Marduix

Cabellera de blat de moro. Panotxa

Cuixarda, Escueiarda Escuixarda Foixarda Globukia Goixarda

Local name

Deco&on

Gil macerate Anis macerate Alcohol macerate

Oral

External

External External

Gargle Bath

Decoction Deeaction

Oral Bath Oral Oral

External

Rubbing

Oral

Oral

Admimstfation

DeWetion Decoction Deco&ion Decoction

Oil

Alcohol macerate

DWOCti0ll

Decoction

Preparation

3

4 3 3

3 8

4 3 3 3

3

5

12

3

Frequency of citation

(BCF 36246)

Mariallui’sa

TiLla

TILIACEAE Tilia platiphyllos Scopoh (BCF 36332)

0. Kunze

Ruda

VERBENACEAE Lippia triphylla (L’Hdr.)

prima

Herba remuguera, Remuguera

Herba

Bardissa, Esbarzer

Herba ramona, Herba de Sant Antoni, Herba de Sant Ramon Rosa dejardi

RUTACEAE Ruta graveolens L. (BCF 36309)

RUBIACEAE Asperula cynanchica L. (BCF 36165) Rubia peregrina L. (BCF 36304)

Rosa gallica L. (BCF 37207) Rubus ulmifolius L. (BCF 36305)

ROSACEAE Agrimonia eupatoria L. (BCF 36156)

Eucaliptus

Fetgera, Herba fetgera

Caliptus,

MYRTACEAE Eucalyptus globulus Labill. (BCF 36963)

RANUNCULACEAE Anemone hepatica L. (BCF 36159)

Malva

MALVACEAE Malva sylvestris L. (BCF 36257)

shoots

part

floral

Leaf, floral tops

Flower, bract

Leaf, floral tops

Aerial

Aerial part

Young

Petals

Whole plant

Leaf, flower

Leaf, fruit

Flower

reparator

antiseptic

antiseptic

Intestinal antiseptic Stomachic

Sedative

Ocular

Digestive in veterinary

Diuretic

Buccal antiseptic

Ocular

Antihypertensive

Hepatic

For colds Anticatarrhal

Buccal antiseptic

Decoction Decoction

Decoction

Decoction

Decoction, plant

Decoction

Decoction

Decoction

Decoction

Decoction

Distillation Decoction

Decoction

raw

Oral Oral

Oral

Eye baths

Oral

Oral

Gargle

Eye baths

Oral

Oral

Vapor Oral

Gargle

9 3

14

6

3

8

4

10

5 3

210 TABLE 2 COMPARISON PENINSULA

OF RESULTS

OF ETHNOBOTANICAL

STUDIES

OF VARIOUS

Region

Extension (km*)

Population

MPa

MPikm2

MP/ Inhabitant

Nib

Huescad CasteBY Granadaf Cerdanyas Tenes valleyh

15 671 6679 12 531 1086 260

222 000 385 823 761 734 23 000 17 969

550 365 241 234 150

0.035 0.055 0.019 0.215 0.577

0.00248 0.000946 0.000316 0.0102 0.0835

? 150 ? 155 28

REGIONS

OF THE IBERIAN

MP/IC

2.34 1.51 5.46

aNumber of medicinal plants known. bNumber of informants. ‘Number of medicinal plants per informant. dVillar et al., 1987. eMulet, 1991. ‘Gonz$lez-Tejero, 1989. gMuntane, 1991. hBonet, 1991.

in descending order of importance, ailments of the digestive tract, general pains, fever, dermatological and bronchopulmonary disorders and inflammations. We found that 40 types of medicinal uses of 30 species have not previously been reported in the literature, while one of the species mentioned by the informants as medicinal has also not been cited in the literature (Font, 1961; Garnier et al., 1961; Usher, 1974; Duke, 1986; Bezanger-Beauquesne et al., 1990; Glasby, 1991). Discussion and Conclusions It is interesting to note that 69 species, 40 of which had one or more medicinal uses, were each cited only once in the interviews. This emphasizes the serious danger of the loss of information if attempt is not made to record such information as soon as possible, because the best informants are elderly people, who even in some cases remember plant uses only from their ancestors. The plants mentioned by our informants belong to 60 families, of which members of Compositae and Labiatae altogether represent more than 25% of the total. The general distribution agrees with the floristic spectrum of the Mediterranean Region, such as in Caste116 (Mulet, 1991) and Cerdanya (Muntane, 1991) and is consistent with the idea that the probability of use of a common plant is greater than that of a rare one (Johns et al., 1990). Comparison of certain figures of medicinal

plants known from the Tenes valley with other regions of the Iberian Peninsula, using the same parameters (Table 2), indicate that the Tenes valley shows the highest index of medicinal plants per unit area and per inhabitant. The U/K index proposed by Muntane (1991), namely, the ratio between the mean number of medicinal and aromatic plants actually used (U = use) by the informants and the mean number of medicinal and aromatic plants known (K = knowledge) and referred to by the informants, is a good tool to evaluate what we may call the degree of ethnobotanical richness of a territory. In our case, this index has a value of 70.8%, as compared with 30.37% obtained by Muntane (1991) in Cerdanya and with 50% obtained by Villar et al. (1987) in Huesca (Villar, pers. commun.). This allows us to conclude that in the Tenes valley the popular use of medicinal plants is more prevalent than in other zones. This is remarkable if we bear in mind that, a priori, this region could be considered unsuitable for this kind of study because of the influence of the proximity of the city of Barcelona. On the other hand, in the Tenes valley, the degree of ethnobotanical novelty is relatively low. The NRU/P index (the ratio between the number of non-reported uses of plants and the number of plants used; Muntane, 1991) is only 2.8% in the Tenes valley, whereas it is 23% in Cerdanya (Muntank, 1991) and 50.8% in Castello (Mulet, 1991). This may be due to the comparatively reduced area and number of inhabitants of the zone, but also to

211

the fact that the very recent works on nearby regions (Mulet, 1991; Muntane, 1991) increased the documentation on popular uses of the plants in the country. As regards the form of preparation of plants, decoction is by far the most prevalent method, probably because of its simplicity. It is worth noting here that, from the popular user’s point of view, decoction is not always easily separable from infusion, even if it is in most cases. This great predominance of decoction over infusion is remarkable bearing in mind that it is in contradiction with the form usually recommended in phytotherapeutic preparations for aqueous solution, which is infusion (Thomson, 1980; Duraffourd et al., 1983; Volak and Stodola, 1983; Penso, 1987; Gugliada, 1992). On the other hand, some of the forms of preparation are very unusual and very little or absolutely not previously reported, as, for instance, the elaboration of syrup from the cones of Pinus pinea with red sugar or beer. Analysis of the data on plants which are most frequently mentioned, most frequently used and have the most uses, points out to the following considerations. M&a sylvestris is the species which is used for most different purposes; Matricaria recutita is the most frequently employed, but only for a very few ailments; Tilia platyphyllos is the most frequently mentioned, but has only a single use. Sambucus nigra and Salvia ofJicinalis ssp. lavandulifolia are two of the bestknown and commonly used plants and claimed by our informants to be used for more diverse complaints. It is not rare to find these plants included in fo~ulations of other species. As regards therapeutic categories, our finding on the predominance of the pathology of the digestive system agrees with that of Mulet (1991) for Caste116 and that of Muntant (1991) for Cerdanya. The dermatological pathology is also one of the most frequent in the three studies. This situation seems to be normal in rural zones and it is interesting to notice that in the Tenes valley, certainly rural, but very close to highly industrialized regions, the use of dermatological preparations has begun to diminish, while that of analgesic and antipyretic agents to increase. From the results obtained, a brief comment on each of the species which are of most interest for further phytochemical and pharmacological studies is presented. Allium roseum is the only species used medicinally - as a diuretic - in the area, for which we did not find any reference on its

medicinal use in the literature, although it was reported as an edible plant (Terra, 1966). Its properties should probably be very close to those of the other species of the genus, but it is remarkable, because, though quite a common plant, it has not been reported even in ethnobotanical works in areas comparable to that of our study (Mulet, 1991; Muntane, 1991). Agrimonia eupatoria is claimed to be antihypertensive, a pharmacological property that has been little reported. As drugs with this activity are important at present, it would be worth investigating this very common and abundant plant as a source of antihypertensive substances. Ramonda myconi is widely used by our informants as an antitussive, which use coincides with popular use in other areas (Villar et al., 1987). Studies on this plant have been initiated in the Laboratory of Pharmacognosy at the Faculty of Pharmacy of Barcelona (Caiiigueral et al., 1991). If this species were to become industrially profitable, its harvest through cultivation will have to be studied, because a large-scale collection from natural populations would threaten the survival of this endemic (Seoane et al., 1991). Sambucus nigra is, in the zone studied, claimed to be an antiemetic, a hitherto unreported use. As it is very frequently employed in phytotherapy, this new use deserves further study. The unreported uses of Globularia alypum as a vermifuge and an antiodontalgic point to the fact that this quite common plant is of interest for phytotherapeutic purposes. Lepidium graminifol~um, also a very colon plant, is the only non-reared species among the antilithiatic plants in our inquiries. Punica granatum is used in the Tenes valley against measles. This coincides with its use as an anti-inflammatory, as reported by Villar et al. (1987) from Aragon. Agave americana, widely cultivated and naturalized in the region, and Conium maculatum are used as antifungals externally. The former species is also used to treat warts, an unreported external use, and is cited as a cicatrizing agent and reported as used for bruises by Gonzalez-Tejero (1989) in Granada and by Mulet (1991), in Castello. The latter species is reported as used for bruises and as an emollient by Muntane (1991) in Cerdanya. It is to be noted that, though a toxic species, it may also be considered as an important medicinal plant. Ruta graveolens, a toxic plant frequently used in popular medicine (Villar et al., 1987) is used in the

212

Tenes valley against hepatobiliar troubles, a disease condition that has not been cited in the literature. Celtis australis is claimed to be used to treat hypocholesterolaemia; this is a similar use as reported by Muntane (1991). Phillyrea angustifolia is claimed to be an antirrheumatic. The use of its seeds as an antipyretic is not mentioned in the literature. Finally, it is interesting to mention the case of plants used in the same way as arnica (Arnica montana) and also known by this name. In the Tenes valley, we found 4 different such plants: Znula helenioides, Znula salicina, Znula montana and Pallenis spinosa. All these species are reported under the name of arnica in the works of Villar et al. (1989), Gonzalez-Tejero (1989), Mulet (1991) and Muntane (1991). Therefore, it would be appropriate to carry out chemical and pharmacological studies of these plants and others with similar popular name and uses, as that of arnica, in order to verify the validity of these uses. Acknowledgements We wish to thank all individuals who agreed to be interviewed as informants. We are indebted to Dr. Robin Rycroft, who revised the English version of the text. This work was supported by a grant of the Servei de Cultura Traditional de la Generalitat de Catalunya. References Btzanger-Beauquesne, L., Pinkas, M., Torck, M. and Trotin, F. (1990) Les Plantes Medicinales del Regions Temperees, 2nd Edn. Maloine, Paris, 395 pp. Bonet, M.A. (1991) Estudis Etnobotbnics a la Vail del Tenes (Vail.& Oriental). Pharmacy Degree Thesis, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, 264 pp. Camarasa, J.M. (1984) Pius Font i Quer: un precursor de I’etnobotlnica farmaceutica a Catalunya. Arxiu d’Etnografta de Catalunya 3, 175-186. Camgueral, S., Miiller, B., Salvia, M.J., Iglesias, J. and Franz, G. (1991) Polisacaridos mucilaginosos de las hojas de Ramonda myconi. Circular Farmaceuiica, nitmero extraordinario, 166. Duke, J.A. (1986) CRC Handbook of yedicinal Herbs. CRC Press, Boca Raton, 677 pp. Duraffourd, C., D’Hervicourt, L. and Lapraz, J.C. (1983) Cahiers de Phytotherapie Clinique. I. Examens de Laboratoire. Galenique. Elements Therapeutiques Synergiques. Masson, Paris, 89 pp.

Font, P. (1961) Plantas Medicinales. El Dioscorides Renovado. Labor, Barcelona, 1033 pp. (12th Edn. 1990). Gamier, G., B&zanger-Beauquesne, L. and Debraux, G. (1961) Ressources Medicinales de la Flare Franqaise, 2 Vols. Vigot F&es, Paris, 1115 pp. Glasby, J.S. (1991) Dictionary of Plants Containing Secondary Metabolites. Taylor and Francis, London, 488 pp. Gonzalez-Tejero, M.R. (1985) lnvestigaciones Etnobottinicas en el Municipio de Giiejar-Sierra (Granada). Pharmacy Degree Thesis, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 241 PP. Gonzalez-Tejero, M.R. (1989) Investigaciones Etnobotanicas en la Provincia de Granada. Doctoral Thesis, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 456 pp. Gugliada, R. (1992) Dottrina della tisana. Erborisferia Domani 5, 94-96. Guzman, M.A. (1986) Investigation Etnobottinica en el Termino Municipal de Linares. Biological Sciences Degree Thesis, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Granada, 316 PP. Johns, T., Kokwaro, J.O. and Kimanani, E.K. (1990) Herbal Remedies of the Luo of Siaya District, Kenya: Establishing Quantitative Criteria for Consensus. Economic Botany 44, 369-381. Mulet, L. (1987) Etnobotdnica Farmaceutica del Alt Maestrat. Diputacio de Casteho, Castello, 205 pp. Mulet, L. (1991) Estudio Etnobottinico de la Provincia de CastelIon. Diputacio de Castello, Castello, 596 pp. Muntane, J. (1991) Aportacid al Coneixement de I’Etnobotanica de Cerdanya. Doctoral Thesis, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, 1220 pp. Palacin, J.M. (1983) Las Plantas en la Medicina Popular del Alto Aragdn. Pharmacy Degree Thesis, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Navarra, 188 pp. Penso, G. (1987) Piante Medicinali nella Terapia Medica. Compendio di Farmacognosia Pratica per Medici e Farmacisti, 2nd Edn. Organizzazione Editoriale Medico Farmaceutica, Milano, 249 pp. Schultes, R.E. (1991) The reason for ethnobotanical conservation. In: 0. Akerele, V.H. Heywood and H. Synge (Eds.), Conservation of Medicinal Plants. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 65-75. Seoane, J.A., Blanche, C., Valles, J. and Sala, A. (1991) Recolte de plantes medicinales aux Pays Catalans: probltmes de conservation et mesures de protection. Botanika Chronika 10, 597-602. Terra, G.J.A. (1966) Tropical Vegetables. Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam. Thomson, W.A.R. (Ed.) (1980) Guia Practica Ilustrada de las Plantas Medicinales. Blume, Barcelona, 220 pp. Usher, G. (1974) A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, London, 619 pp. Villar, L. (1984) Un estudio de la plantas medicinales de1 Alto Aragon y su utilization. Acta Biologica Montana 1984 (IV), 467-472. Villar, L., Palacin, J.M., Calve, C., Gomez, D. and Montserrat, G. (1987) Plantas Medicinales del Pirineo Aragones y dems Tierras Oscenses. Diputacion de Huesca, Huesca, 322 pp. Volak, J. and Stodola, J. (1983) Plantes Medicinales. Griind, Paris, 319 pp. (7th reprint, 1987).