Work

Herbal Remedies for Skin Diseases in Serbian Folk Medicine: A Review of 19th- and 20th-Century Practices

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study explores Serbia's rich ethnopharmacological heritage by systematically documenting the traditional use of medicinal plants for treating skin diseases during the 19th and 20th centuries. Drawing on key ethnographic sources-including monographs, scholarly articles, and field reports-the review analyzes historical records of folk medicine practices and their cultural contexts. A total of 164 plant species from 63 botanical families, as well as one mushroom species, were identified as being used in the treatment of skin-related conditions classified according to the International Classification of Primary Care. Reported ailments were grouped into three main categories: hair and scalp disorders, bites, and various inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Remedies for wound healing were the most frequently documented, both in terms of application and diversity of plant species employed. By preserving and systematizing this historical knowledge, the study provides a valuable foundation for future pharmacological and dermatological research, highlighting the continued relevance of traditional remedies in modern clinical practice.

Source: Plants

DOI: 10.3390/plants15081246

Authors: Jelena Živković, Katarina Šavikin, Nektarios Aligiannis, Marko Pišev

Institutions: Institute for Medicinal Plants Research "dr Josif Pančić", National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, University of Belgrade

Language: English

Topic: Ethnobotanical and Medicinal Plants Studies

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,258