Table 6.
Use of medicinal herbs in the Kortkeros (Russia)
| Family | Species | English name | Local names | Part used | Mode of preparation | Medicinal use | Food | Level of use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BETULACEAE | Betula spp. | Birch | Берёза | bd, sa | Liquids with alcohol, tincture | Panacea (‘100 diseases’) e.g., small scratches, flu | - | ++ |
| CAPRIFOLIACEAE | Viburnum opulus L. | Guelder rose | Калина обыкновенная калина | b | Infusion, tincture | Vitamins, cough | Fruits | + |
| COMPOSITAE | Achillea millefollium L. | Yarrow | Тысячелистник обыкновенный | l, fl | Infusion | Blood coagulation | - | + |
| Arctium lappa L. | Greater burdock | Лопух | r | Decoction | For strengthening hair (conditioner) | - | + | |
| Artemisia absinthium L. | Wormwood | Полынь | l, fl | Tea | Stomach ailments | - | + | |
| Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauschert | Chamomile | Ромашка аптечная, ромашка | l, fl | Infusion | Good for health | - | + | |
| Taraxacum officinale Weber ex Wiggers | Dandelion | Одуванчик лекарственный, одуванчик | l, fl | Infusion, tincture | Vitamins, headache | - | + | |
| Tussilago farfara L. | Coltsfoot | Мать-и-мачеха | fl, l | Infusion | Cough | - | + | |
| Tanacetum vulgare L. | Tansy | Пижмо | l, fl | Tincture | Stomach ailments, diarrhea | - | + | |
| CRASSULACEAE | Rhodiola rosea L. | Golden root | Золотий корінь | r | Tincture (d) | General ‘for good health’ | - | + |
| CUPRESSACEAE | Juniperus communis L. | Common juniper | Можжевельник | r | Tincture | For good health | - | + |
| EQUISETACEAE | Equisetum spp. | Horstail | Хвощ | l | Infusion | Kidneys and urinary tract | - | + |
| ERICACEAE | Ledum palustre L. | Wild rosemary | Трава богульник | ap | Tincture (must be stored for 3 years, otherwise poisonous) | Asthma | - | + |
| Vaccinium myrtillus L. | Bilberry | Черника | b | Tincture | Vitamins, eyes disease, problems with stomach | Fruits | +++ | |
| Vaccinium oxycoccos L. | Cranberry | Клюква | b | Eaten fresh, jams, frozen | High blood pressure, vitamins | Fruits | +++ | |
| Vaccinium vitis-idaea (L.) Avror | Cowberry | Брусника | b, l | Infusion | Vitamins, flu, kidneys, diuretics | Fruits | +++ | |
| GRAMINEAE | Elymus spp. | Couch grass | Пырей | r | Tincture | Kidneys, breathing problems, reproductive system | - | + |
| GROSSULARIACEAE | Ribes spp. | Blackcurrant, redcurrant | Смородина | b, l | F: infusion, juice | Rich in vitamins | - | ++ |
| GUTTIFERAE | Hypericum perforatum L. | St John’s worth | Зверобой | l (d) | Tea, tinctures | Problems with stomach | - | + |
| LABIATAE | Mentha spp. | Mint | Мята | l, fl | Tincture, infusion | Nervousness, stomach | Leaves | + |
| Thymus spp. | Thyme | Тимьян | l, fl | Infusion (f, d) | For strong health, immunostimulant | - | + | |
| LILIACEAE | Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce | Angular Solomon’s seal | Купина | l, fl | Tincture | Rheumatism, diabetes | - | + |
| MENYANTHACEAE | Menyanthes trifoliata L. | Bog-bean | Трилисник | l | Tea | Stomach, gastritis | - | + |
| ONAGRACEAE | Epilobium angustifolium L. | Fireweed | Иван-чай | l | Infusion | Cancer treatment | - | + |
| ORCHIDACEAE | Cypripedium calceolus L. | Lady’s slipper orchids | Венерин башмачок | r | Tea | Headache | - | + |
| PAEONIACEAE | Paeonia anomala L. | Paeonia | Сибірський піон | r | Tincture | For good health | - | + |
| PINACEAE | Abies alba Mill. | Silver fir | Пихта | bd | Brooms for sauna, steam bath | Immunostimulant | - | + |
| PLANTAGINACEAE | Plantago major L. | Greater plantain | Подорожник | l | Tincture | Small scratches | - | + |
| ROSACEAE | Comarum palustre L. | Purple marshlocks | Сабельник | l, fl | Tincture | Arthritis, rheumatism, cancer | - | + |
| Filipendula vulgaris Moench | Dropwort | Таволга | fl, l | Infusion, tincture | Antiseptic, arthitis, heart, skin disease | - | + | |
| Prunus padus L. | Hackberry | Черёмуха обыкновенная, черёмухa | fr | Dried fruits, infusion from dried fruits | Pain in stomach, diarrhoea | Fruits | ++ | |
| Rubus ideaus L. | Raspberry | Малина | br, fr, l | Tincture | Vitamins, flu, high temperature | Fruits | ++ | |
| Rosa spp. | Dog rose | Шиповник | fr | Infusion | Flu, vitamins, rich in vitamin C, for immunity | Fruits | +++ | |
| Rubus chamaemorus L. | Cloudberry | Морошка | b, fl se | Infusion | Vitamins, flu, cough | Fruits | +++ | |
| Sorbus aucuparia L. | Rowan | Рябина обыкновенная, рябина | fr | Juice, dried fruits | High blood pressure, stomach problems | Fruits | +++ | |
| SALICACEAE | Salix spp. | Willow | Ива | ba | Infusion | Natural aspirin, rheumatism, ostheochondrosis | - | + |
| SCROPHULARIACEAE | Euphrasia officinalis L. | Eyebright | Очанка | r | Infusion (d) | For eyes disease | - | + |
ap aerial parts (herb), b berries, ba bark, bd buds, br branches, fl flowers, fr fruit, l leaves, r root, sa sap, se sepals, f fresh, d dried
- No use, + used by up to 10 respondents, ++ 10–20 respondents, +++ more than 20 respondents. Listed illnesses refer to emic categories