Important medicinal and aromatic plants in Southeast Europe and

41 Pages·2011·4.75 MB·English

Important medicinal and aromatic plants in
South-East Europe in relation with their
medicinal and other industrial utilization:
Republic of Macedonia

Svetlana Kulevanova
South-East Europe
Geographically:
Croatia, Bosnia&Hercegovina, Serbia,
Montenegro, Kosovo, Albania,
Romania, Bulgaria, and Macedonia.
Politically:
Croatia, Bosnia&Hercegovina,
Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo,
Albania, Turkey, and Macedonia.
Republic of Macedonia
Population (2006): 2 039 000
Area : 25 713 km²

It is a land-locked country in central
Balkan, mountainous with deep basins
and valleys.
Territory of RoM includes:
Urban or
industrial land
Lakes
3% 65% green
2%
Pastureland
Climate zones:
25%
40%
Forestland
37%
37%
Arable land,
22%
vineyards,
orchards
23%
1%
Grassland and
meadows
SMR up to SCR 600- SHR 900- SAR obove 2%
Barren land
600 m 1200m 1700m 2200m
8%
MAPs of the Republic of Macedonia
Despite of its small territory, Macedonia is very rich in plant diversity,
approximately 3700 vascular plant species and is at the top of the list of states
called “European Hotspots”.
Land area (km2) Plant biodiversity
25500 3700
10500000
12500
Europe (exluding Turkey) Macedonia Europe (excluding Turkey) Macedonia
0.25% 30%
Gjoshe Stefkov, Svetlana Kulevanova, Medicinal and aromatic plants in Europe and Macedonia,
Maced. pharm. bul., 49, 150-151, 2003
MAPs of the Republic of Macedonia (2)
The flora of the Republic of Macedonia is quite rich, with a mosaic of diverse
floral elements (Tertiary relicts, Mediterranean, Greek-Anatolian, Ilyric,
Caucasian, Middle-European, Eurasian, arctic-alpine and cosmopolitan) and
large number of endemic species (Macedonian, south Balkan, Balkan etc).

It is represented by:
 210 families,
 700 MAP
 920 genera,
 150 most commonly used
 3700 species

The first national report on biological biodiversity in
R. Macedonia was published in Y2003.
Gjoshe Stefkov, Svetlana Kulevanova,
Medicinal and aromatic plants in Europe and Macedonia, Maced. pharm. bul., 49, 150-151, 2003
MAPs of the Republic of Macedonia (3)
The most wide-spread MAPs: at the moment no available scientific data.
The most commonly used in folk Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) and
medicine: their parts, are used:
- Hypericum, Vaccinium, Juniperus,  medicinally,
Plantago, Matricaria, Crataegus,  for cosmetics,
Rosa canina, Urtica, Calendula,  as herbal teas,
Sideritis etc.  as species,
 in liquers and bitters,
 as insecticides and fungicides,
 and in domestic cleaning products.
Up to 95 % of the total plant material used in pharmaceutical industry is from
wild origin. 80 % of it originates from Macedonia.
Only 20% of medicinal and aromatic plants are imported in Macedonia.

Gjoshe Stefkov, Svetlana Kulevanova, Medicinal and aromatic plants in Europe and Macedonia,
Maced. pharm. bul., 49, 150-151, 2003
Import of MAPs in Macedonia
The imports of the MAPs in Macedonia are not significant and represent very
small number (20%) compared to the export value that leaves the country.
However, there are incidental imports which are then re-exported to other
larger importer countries.
Profile of the Macedonian WGP Value chain
USAID , AgBiz Program, 2008.
Import of MAPs in Macedonia (2)
Profile of the Macedonian WGP Value chain
USAID , AgBiz Program, 2008.
Collection Trends of MAPs and other
WGP (1)
 The collection is very old traditional activity of the people living especially
in under-developed areas.
 It is sector for providing some supplemental income to vulnerable groups
in Macedonia.
 It was never considered enough as a significant commercial activity for the
country in general.
The role of the pharmaceutical company Alkaloid AD – Skopje:
- special section named BOTANICALS,
- have increased the collection, especially in the period from the early 60’s to 90’s.
- stations for buy out of collected plants,
- several certificated eco-regions exist!!!
WGP sector is in constant and permanent development and growth. The
collection trends are increasing based on the market requirements and the
availability of the workforce.
The market requires much more quantities than the current supply.
Collection Trends of MAPs (2)
The collection is seasonal, starting in early spring, and finishing in late autumn.
Only the winter months are not covered with any collection activity.

 Medicinal and Aromatic Plants – Manual and monographs
for collectors according to the principles of organic production,
S. Kulevanova and Gj. Stefkov, Skopje 2004, ISBN 9989-2259-2
 Guidelines for collectors and buyers of self-growing plants,
mushrooms and lichen according to the principles of organic
production, Gjoshe Stefkov, Panche Nikolov, Robertina Brajanoska,
Skopje 2007, ISBN 978-9989-0-0.
The most attractive products for collection that appear on the Macedonian
market are:
• Fungi: Boletus, Chanterelles, Lactarius, Morchela etc.
• Lichens: Evernia, Cetraria
• Berries: Blackberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, Cranberries etc.
• Medicinal and aromatic plants: Adonis, Gentiana, Hypericum, Juniper,
Thymus, Veratrum, Ramonda, Salvia etc.

Profile of the Macedonian WGP Value chain
USAID , AgBiz Program, 2008.