The area taken in the study is located in the South-West of Romania, in the northern Anina Mountains, area partial included in the National Park Semenic-Caras Gorge. The researches were conducted, for this reason, in buffer zones and the area of sustainable development where recovery is possible, and in the areas outside the park. Objectives taken into account refer to the identification of medicinal and aromatic herbs and quantitative assessment of the main medicinal species identified in the area

BUTNARIU, Monica

IMBREA, Florin

IMBREA, Ilinca

NICOLIN, Alma

PRODAN, Monica

English

Publicatii USAMV Cluj-Napoca (University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine / Universitatea de Ştiinţe Agricole şi Medicină Veterinară din Cluj-Napoca)

 374 Bulletin UASVM Agriculture, 66 (1)/2009 Print ISSN 1843-5246; Electronic ISSN 1843-5386  Researches Concerning the Medicinal and Aromatic Herbs in the  Caraşova Area  Ilinca IMBREA, Alma NICOLIN, Florin IMBREA,  Monica BUTNARIU, Monica PRODAN  Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Timisoara, Calea Aradului no. 119, RO-300645, Romania, mocioi_i@yahoo.com   Abstract.The area taken in the study is located in the South-West of Romania, in the northern Anina Mountains, area partial included in the National Park Semenic-Caras Gorge. The researches were conducted, for this reason, in buffer zones and the area of sustainable development where recovery is possible, and in the areas outside the park. Objectives taken into account refer to the identification of medicinal and aromatic herbs and quantitative assessment of the main medicinal species identified in the area.  Keywords: medicinal and aromatic herbs, quantitative assessment  INTRODUCTION  The Anina Mountains are situated along the western prolongation of the Semenic Mountains between the Barzava Valley at the north and the Nera Valley at the south, the Bozovici Hills, the Poneasca Valley and the superior course of the Barzava at the east, the Oravita Hills and the Lupac depression at the west. From a geological point of view, the Anina Mountain occupies the central and northern part of the Reşiţa-Moldova Nouă synclinal composed of Jurassic and Cretaceous limes rich in folders and faults oriented toward NNE-SSV (Mutihac, 1990). Soils develop on basic and neutrobasic substratum in a moisture deficiency climate in summer. They are represented by lime redzines with a short horizon and a high content in iron compounds (of the terra rosa type) on lapises or detrituses (Rogobete and Tarau, 1997). The Meteorological Station Reşiţa climate diagram indicates multiannual mean temperatures of 10,3 and multiannual mean precipitations of 704 mm, not uniformly distributed along a year period, with the highest temperature in july and the highest precipitation in may and june.   MATERIAL AND METHODS  We used the methodology of economic mapping of medicinal plants in the spontaneous flora indicated by Alexan  et al. (1983), and Bojor  (1991). The researches were carried on by field observation in different periods of the year.  We carried out releves of 1 m2, following and recording the medicinal species within each frame. Species identification was done using Flora României; the species are named after Ciocârlan (2000)  and  Flora Europaea (electronic edition). We have calculated average density per m2 for all medicinal species we came across and that can be recommended for harvesting. Results of quantitative estimates are expressed  375 in kg of dry matter. For a highest accuracy of data recorded in most species analysed, we have established average amounts of dry matter through our own weighing. In order to preserve the medicinal plants and to ensure their natural multiplication at the same geographical location, the rhizomes, bulbs, roots of the plant are partially (30%) harvested at approximately 5 years intervals and aerial parts also 30% harvested but every year. The flowers, fruit, and seed are harvested yearly, at 50%, without endangering the perpetuation of species (Alexan  et al., 1983; Bojor, 1991).  RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS  The area under the study in this paper, refers to the meadows near Carasova, more specifically, the meadows located between Doman-Anina-Carasova-Nermed. The list of species was established on the ground of our own research completed with data from literature (Coste and Imbrea, 2002; Imbrea et al., 2005; Mocioi, 2002; Schrott, 1972).  Cormophytes medicinal flora overview:  Division Pteridophyta Family Equisetaceae Equisetum arvense L. Family Dennstaedtiaceae Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn Family Aspleniaceae Dryopteris filix - mas (L.) Schott  Division Pinophyta Family Cupressaceae Juniperus communis L. Division Magnoliophyta Family Ranunculaceae  Helleborus odorus W. et K. Family Papaveraceae Chelidonium majus L. Family Cannabaceae Humulus lupulus L.  Family Urticaceae Urtica dioica L.  Family Caryophyllaceae Stellaria media (L.) Vill. Herniaria glabra L. Gypsophylla paniculata L. Family Polygonaceae Rumex acetosella L. Rumex acetosa L. Rumex crispus L. Family Crassulaceae Sedum maximum (L.) Hoffm.  Sedum acre L.  Family Rosaceae Rubus caesius L. Fragaria vesca L.  Potentilla argentea L.  Potentilla erecta L.  Potentilla reptans L.  Sanguisorba minor Scop. Sanguisorba officinalis L.  Filipendula vulgaris  Moench  Agrimonia eupatoria L.  Rosa arvensis Huds.  Rosa gallicaL.  Rosa micrantha Borrer  Rosa canina L.  Geum urbanum L. Crataegus monogyna Jacq.  Crataegus oxyacantha L. Pyrus pyraster (L.) Burgsd.  Malus silvestris (L.) Miller  Prunus spinosa L. Cerasus avium (L.) Moench  Family Fabaceae (Leguminosae) Cytisus nigricans L.  Chamaecytisus (Cytisus) hirsutus (L.) Link  Medicago lupulina L.  Medicago minima (L.) L.  Medicago falcata L.  Melilotus albus Medic.  Melilothus officinalis L. Trifolium montanum L.  Trifolium arvense L.  Trifolium medium L.  Trifolium pratense L. Anthyllis vulneraria L. Astragalus  glycyphyllos L. Coronilla varia L.   376 Lathyrus latifolius L.  Genista sagittalis L. Genista tinctoria L. Robinia pseudacacia L. Family Geraniaceae Geranium macrorrhizum L.  Geranium robertianum L.  Erodium cicutarium L. Family Polygalaceae Polygala major Jacq.  Family Araliaceae Hedera helix L.  Family Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) Eryngium compestre L.  Peucedanum oreoselinum (L.) Moench Sanicula europaea L. Conium maculatum L. Family Hypericaceae  Hypericum perforatum L.  Family Malvaceae Lavathera thuringiaca L.  Althaea pallida (Willd). W. et. K.  Family Violaceae Viola odorata L.   Viola tricolor L. Family Cistaceae Helianthemum nummularium (L.) Mill.  Family Brassicaceae (Cruciferae) Alliaria officinalis Andrz Cardamine pratensis L. Dentaria bulbifera (L.) Crantz  Alyssum montanum L.  Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medikus Family Resedaceae Reseda lutea L.  Family Primulaceae Primula elatior (L.) L Lysimachia nummularia L. Lysimachia vulgaris L. Family Apocynaceae Vinca herbacea W. et K. Family Solanaceae Atropa bella-donna L. Physalis alkekengi L.  Solanum dulcamara L.  Family Convolvulaceae Convolvulus arvensis L. Family Boranginaceae Lithospermum purpurocoeruleum L.  Echium vulgare L.  Symphytum officinale L. Pulmonaria officinalis L. Family Vebenaceae Verbena officinalis L.  Family Lamiaceae (Labiatae) Ajuga genevensis L.  Ajuga reptans L. Teucrium montanum L.  Teucrium chamaedrys L.  Glechoma hederacea L.  Prunella vulgaris L. Lamium purpureum L.  Lamium album L.  Mentha longifolia L. Melissa officinalis L. Stachys recta L.  Salvia pratensis L.  Salvia verticillata L.  Acinos arvensis (Lam.) Damdy  Thymus pulegioides L. Thymus glabrescens Willd. Thymus pannonicus All. Family Plantaginaceae Plantago media L.  Plantago lanceolata L.  Family Scrophulariaceae Verbascum phlomoides L.  Verbascum banaticum Roch.  Veronica chamaedrys L.  Veronica teucrium L.  Melampyrum bihariense Kern. Rhinanthus rumelicus Velen. Scrophularia nodosa L. Family Rubiaceae Asperula cynanchica L.  Galium mollugo L.  Galium verum L.  Family Caprifoliaceae Sambucus nigra L. Sambucus ebulus L. Family Asteraceae (Compositae) Artemisia vulgaris L. Artemisia absinthium L. Inula helenium L.  Achillea millefolium L.  Achillea crithmifolia W. et K.  Achilea colina J. Beckr Leucanthemum vulgare L.  Tussilago farfaraL.  Carthamus lanatus L.  Carlina vulgaris L. Carlina acanthyfolia All. subsp. acantifolia Cichorium intybus L. Taraxacum officinale Weber  Mycelis muralis (L.) Dum.  Hieracium pilosella L.  377 Hypochaeris radicata Family Poaceae (Gramineae) Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. Lolium perenne L. Elymus repens L. Anthoxanthum odoratum L. Family Orchidaceae Orchis morio L. Orchis purpurea Hudson  The researches carried out in the area under study emphasized the presence of 141 medicinal and aromatic cormophytes, witch indicates a high biodiversity in comparison with the surface under study. The best represented botanical families are: Rosaceae (20 species), Fabaceae (18 species), Lamiaceae (17 species), Asteraceae (16 species).  The grasslands surfaces were calculated excluding the areas of strict protection of the two reservations situated near by: Carasului Gorge and Garliste Gorge (Badescu et al., 1998). Also, through the kindness of colleagues from APIA, we calculated the surfaces under investigation more specifically, on orthophotomaps, excluding arable areas, dolines and surfaces covered by Pteridium aquilinum. Given the location of the area under study in the vicinity of two nature reserves, we have paid special attention to a clear identification of protected areas since, as it is well known, harvesting medicinal plants from nature reserves is prohibited. Protected species cannot be harvested and neither can rare species. This is why one can frequently come across Carlina acanthifolia in this area, a species considered rare in Romanian flora (Ciocarlan, 2000), and whose harvesting is also prohibited. The species is recommended in traditional medicine since it has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcerous, and anti-oxidation properties. Recent pharmacological research (Dordevic et al., 2007), confirms these properties which recommend the introduction of this species into cultivation. Pteridium aquilinum covers large areas in the studied area. Last researches confirm that the water-soluble polysaccharide purified from the fern should be explored as a novel potential natural antioxidant (Wentao et al., 2009). We have calculated the areas corresponding to each area taken into account and the average density of the individuals per sample is 14 individuals per m2. The total areas covered by Pteridium aquilinum is 46.9 ha.  The species is not sued at present and the fires set by the locals two or three times a year endanger all species, including medicinal ones, most affected being dog rose (Rosa canina), blackberry (Rubus fruticosus), blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) and common hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna). Exploiting bracken as a medicinal resource could solve a series of problems for which there has been no acceptable solution for the owners of the lands affected. The main medicinal and aromatic plants that can be harvested in the studies area are presented below, in an alphabetical order (Tab.1).                 378 Tab.1 Medicinal and aromatic plants recommended to be harvested in the area  Scientific name  Product used Average amount of dry matter in g  Amounts to be harvested in kg of dry matter Hill Livada Moghila - 82 ha Achillea sp. herba 0.8 246 Achillea sp. flos 0.4 205 Crataegus monogyna folium cum flos 200 62 Crataegus monogyna fructus 1000 307 Eryngium campestre radix 4.8 413 Filipendula vulgaris flos 0.3 116 Filipendula vulgaris herba 0.6 145 Galium verum herba 0.8 521 Genista sagittalis herba 0.1 369 Hypericum perforatum herba 2.2 54 Peucedanum oreoselinum folium 0,9 221 Plantago lanceolata  folium 0.25 123 Prunella vulgaris herba 0.4 39 Salvia pratensis folium 1.1 1082 Salvia pratensis flos 0.5 492 Teucrium chamaedrys herba 0.4 935 Thymus sp. herba 0.08 389 Hill Ravniste - 395 ha Achillea sp. herba 0.8 379 Achillea sp. flos 0.4 316 Crataegus monogyna folium cum flos 200 277 Crataegus monogyna fructus 1000 1383 Eryngium campestre radix 4.8 6826 Filipendula vulgaris flos 0.3 711 Filipendula vulgaris herba 0.6 853 Fragaria vesca folium 0.3 829 Galium verum herba 0.8 2180 Genista sagittalis herba 0.1 3436 Hypericum perforatum herba 2.2 521 Peucedanum oreoselinum folium 0.9 1244 Plantago lanceolata folium 0.25 1135 Pteridium aquilinum rhizoma 20 24360 Salvia pratensis folium 1.1 2824 Salvia pratensis flos 0.5 1284 Teucrium chamaedrys herba 0.4 2607 Thymus sp. herba 0.08 1516 Hills between  Carasova and Hill Ravniste - 280ha Achillea sp. herba 0.8 470 Achillea sp. flos 0.4 392 Crataegus monogyna  folium cum flos 200 294 Crataegus monogyna fructus 1000 1470 Eryngium campestre radix 4.8 6048 Filipendula vulgaris flos 0.3 252 Filipendula vulgaris herba 0.6 302 Fragaria vesca folium 0.3 378 Galium verum herba 0.8 2016 Genista sagittalis herba 0.1 857  379 Among the species we recommend for economic valorisation, most are species used in folk tradition. The chemical composition of some plant included in this category is little studied or unconfirmed: Filipendula vulgaris, Genista sagittalis, Peucedanum oreoselinum, Teucrium chamaedrys etc.   The great number of medicinal and flavor species in this category proves that it is necessary to broaden research in the area. Thus, certain medicinal species over-exploited nowadays can be successfully replaced with species less known and therefore less used but with similar phyto-therapeutic effects. A lot of species used by tradition are not studied or are  Peucedanum oreoselinum folium 0.9 378 Plantago lanceolata folium 0.25 385 Pteridium aquilinum rhizoma 20 4200 Salvia pratensis folium 1.1 924 Salvia pratensis flos 0.5 420 Teucrium chamaedrys herba 0.4 1982 Thymus sp. herba 0.08 605 Hills between Iabalcea and Doman - 1027 ha Achillea sp. herba 0.8 3450 Achillea sp. flos 0.4 2876 Crataegus monogyna folium cum flos 200 770 Crataegus monogyna fructus 1000 3851 Eryngium campestre radix 4.8 13310 Filipendula vulgaris flos 0.3 2619 Filipendula vulgaris herba 0.6 3143 Fragaria vesca folium 0.3 2927 Galium verum herba 0.8 4190 Genista sagittalis herba 0.1 5546 Peucedanum oreoselinum folium 0.9 4159 Plantago lanceolata folium 0.25 1155 Pteridium aquilinum rhizoma 20 11760 Rhinanthus rumelicus herba 0.85 4714 Salvia pratensis folium 1.1 8473 Salvia pratensis flos 0.5 3851 Teucrium chamaedrys herba 0.4 19308 Thymus sp. herba 0.08 3944  Hills between Carasova and Nermet - 349 ha Achillea sp. herba 0.8 1424 Achillea sp. flos 0.4 1187 Crataegus monogyna folium cum flos 200 296 Crataegus monogyna fructus 1000 1483 Eryngium campestre radix 4.8 1508 Filipendula vulgaris flos 0.3 471 Filipendula vulgaris herba 0.6 565 Fragaria vesca folium 0.3 628 Galium verum herba 0.8 1843 Genista sagittalis herba 0.1 1361 Peucedanum oreoselinum folium 0.9 471 Plantago lanceolata folium 0.25 262 Pteridium aquilinum rhizoma 20 4536 Rhinanthus rumelicus herba 0.85 445 Salvia pratensis folium 1.1 1728 Salvia pratensis flos 0.5 785 Teucrium chamaedrys herba 0.4 2597 Thymus sp. herba 0.08 1508  380 very little studied from a bio-chemical point of view, which means that they could have other uses as well.  CONCLUSIONS The area under study is located in the Aninei Mountains. The area is characterised by a remarkable floristic composition, which is also confirmed by the large number of medicinal and aromatic species we have identified and that are sued in both high and traditional cultures. In assessing harvestable amounts of medicinal plants we took into account the laws concerning the protection of species in order to ensure spontaneous flora regeneration. Thus, there is no danger of extinguishing any species because of overexploitation. Total amount of raw dry matter to be assessed and that we present in the order of their scientific names are: Achillea sp. – herba 5969 kg, Achillea sp. – flos 4976 kg, Crataegus monogyna – folium cum flos 1699 kg, Crataegus monogyna – fructus 8494 kg, Eryngium campestre – radix 28105 kg (5 years intervals), Filipendula vulgaris – flos 4169 kg, Filipendula vulgaris – herba 5008 kg, Fragaria vesca – folium  4762 kg, Galium verum – herba 10750 kg, Genista sagittalis – herba 11569 kg, Peucedanum oreoselinum – folium  6473 kg, Plantago lanceolata – folium  3060 kg, Pteridium aquilinum – rhizoma  44856 kg (5 years intervals), Rhinanthus rumelicus – herba 5159 kg, Salvia pratensis – folium  15031 kg, Salvia pratensis – flos  6832 kg, Teucrium chamaedrys – herba 27429 kg, Thymus sp. – herba 7962 kg. The richness of medicinal and aromatic species in Romania is a major milestone of our natural heritage which makes reasonable exploitation a must. Among the species we recommend for economic valorisation, most are species used in folk tradition and whose chemical composition is little studied. Acknowledgments. This study has been financed by the Ministry of Education, Research and Youth, The National Authority for Scientific Research. The study is part of a project of the Ideas type, acknowledged in 2008. The name of the project is: ,,Identifying with a view to valorize medicinal plants and herbs in the Aninei Mountains’’.  REFERENCES 1. Alexan, M., O. Bojor, Fl. Crăciun (1983). Flora medicinală a României. Ed. Ceres. Bucureşti:91-111. 2. Badescu,B.(1998).Areale protejate din jud Caraş-Severin.Ed.AsociaţiaSpeologicăExploratorii.Reşiţa:67 3. Bojor, Al. (1991). The Medicinal plant industry Chapter 2. CRC Press: 19-33. 4. Ciocârlan, V. (2000). Flora ilustrată a României, Ed. Ceres. Bucureşti. 5. Coste, I. and I. Imbrea (2002). 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Researches Concerning the Medicinal and Aromatic Herbs in the  Caraşova Area

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Researches Concerning the Medicinal and Aromatic Herbs in the Caraşova Area

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