The Ethnobotany of the Highlanders of Lukomir, Bosnia & Herzegovina

This article is the first presentation of wild medicinal plants used by the Highlanders of Lukomir, Bjelašnica, Bosnia and Herzegovina.  The Highlanders of Lukomir are a group of 60 semi-nomadic families speaking the Bosnian language.  The Highlanders are historically Bogomil, a heretical medieval Balkan sect, who remain surrounded by a number of ancient architectures and biofacts. Twenty five people were interviewed resulting in 64 species from 40 families used as adaptogens or to treat ailments. There were a number of rare and endangered species known as poisons or used as medicine, that are endemic to the Bjelašnica, Lukomir region.  The average consensus on individual plant use was five; while maximum consensus reached 15.  These results demonstrate a cohesive ancient tradition of medicinal plant use among healers in Lukomir, Bosnia and Herzegovina.  This work facilitates the development goals of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s, Municipality of Konjic by increasing timely access to natural medicine health care, providing bilingual photographic trail-guides, and zoning for conservation of Europe’s most diverse endemic botanical region, stewarded by one of Europe’s last known tribes.