Botanical Survey of Medicinal Plants Used in the Traditional Treatment of Human Disease in Montain Hay Meadows from Gurghiului Mountains

Abstract

Abstract The aim of this study was to identify the medicinal and aromatic plants from mountain hay meadows (6520 - Natura 2000 habitat) of Gurghiului Mountains and to analyze the correlation of these herbs with their therapeutic compounds as well as the human diseases on which they can be used on therapeutic purpose. The area covered by this study was the Gurghiului Mountains. Regarding the vegetation, this area is characterized by the predominance of forest ecosystems, along with semi-natural mountainous grasslands. The floristic inventory for the studied area included numerous medicinal plants with therapeutic chemical compounds. These medicinal plants were grouped in this study according to the dominant active principles used in phytotherapy. Two plant associations were identified: Festuco rubrae-Agrostietum capillaris Horvat 1951 and Poo-Trisetetum flavescentis Knapp ex Oberdorfer 1957. This survey demonstrates that the medicinal plant area in the Gurghiului Mountains is a promising economic resource for developing this region, but it needs planned exploitation.