In the last two decades, when pharmacy students at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences began to choose ethnopharmacological research as the basis for their Master’s thesis, research on traditional medicine in Lithuania has intensified. Until the 21st century, ethnobotanical research in Lithuania was dominated by the ethnologist’s view of folk medicine, where the only thing that mattered was which herb cured which disorder. However, most of these studies geographically cover African and Asian countries and are still relatively rare in Northern Europe, the Baltics and other former Soviet bloc countries. ![]() Accordingly, the number of articles on ethnobotany and herbalism increased 6.3-fold at the beginning of the 21st century, and modern ethnobotanical research has recently gained more attention in Central Europe. Traditional knowledge acquired over centuries, adapted to the local culture and environment and passed on from one generation to the next must be respected and preserved, while synergies between modern science and indigenous knowledge must be encouraged. Research showed that the diversity of plant species used for healing has declined over the last 20 years and that part of traditional ethnobotanical knowledge is disappearing. Decoction and infusion were the most commonly used, while some unusual preparations have been recorded in past uses. Wild plants were mentioned in 71.0% of all use reports, while a relatively higher proportion of cultivated plants was recorded among the new uses. The largest number of plant species was used to treat digestive and respiratory system disorders. The most frequently used species were Matricaria chamomilla, Tilia cordata, Artemisia absinthium and Plantago major. Although the survey was carried out in a small area, up to five local names per species were recorded. ![]() In total, 30 informants reported 103 plant and 1 lichen species. Knowledge about the plants used for treatment was collected through open-ended and semi-structured interviews in villages and small rural settlements in southwestern Lithuania. In order to investigate and preserve this knowledge, a comprehensive ethnobotanical study was carried out in a little-studied ethnographic region. Changes in people’s dependence on the resources of the immediate natural environment and in the ways in which information is transmitted may result in the loss of some of the traditional knowledge of plants and their uses.
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