Ethnomedicinal Properties of Magical and Symbolic Plants in Bulgarian Folklore

Folklore is a specific eco-cultural reflection of the nature-human interconnections and discloses the variety of human activities and socio-economic developments related to nature. Bulgarian folk medicine is described as a highly ritualistic traditional system that merge pre-Christian and Christian views on universe, human and non-human entities and health. About 750 plant species are documented in Bulgarian traditional curative practices so far. The chapter discusses pharmacological activities of magical plants mentioned in Bulgarian folk songs with special reference to treating conditions caused by mythical creatures and spirits as well as those used to effect human emotional state. Sixty-three wild taxa, out of 146 mentioned in the studied folk songs, are known as medicinal plants since Antiquity. Plant species with largest number of medical applications are Melilotus officinalis , Viola spp., Asarum europaeum , Calendula arvensis , and Sanguisorba officinalis . Short overview of the major biologically active constituents in frequently-referenced taxa is presented. The largest portion of the selected species possess antioxidant activity followed by anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial, neuroprotective, and anti-diabetic activity. Importance of folklore as a pocket of traditional ecological knowledge that is intermingled with magical and symbolic discourses of nature and plants in particular is outlined.