Biodiversity of economically important medicinal plants in
Bulgaria – conservation and sustainable use.
Bulgaria has a long
history of traditional
medicine and
botanical research.
The medicinal and aromatic plants
(MAP) are one of the general
biological resources of the country:
Total number of
medicinal plants is
around 770 species
- 20% of the
Bulgarian flora
Annual harvest of Medicinal Plants in
Bulgaria is 15 000 – 17 000 t. per year:
Bulgaria is among the
European leaders in
the export of medicinal
and aromatic plants.
More than 250 herbs
of 200 plant species
are subject to
consumption. Around
200 herbs of 140 plant
species are subject to
export.
Domestic market: 2 000-3 000 t
Export: 13 000-15 000 t
Germany – 65%
Spain – 10%
Italy – 5%
France – 5%
Other countries – 15%
BIODIVERSITY OF MAP species
According to their biological type
predominant presence have:
 Herbaceous Perennial species – 50%
 Annual species – 20%
 Shrubs and trees – 25%
 Herbaceous Biennial species – 5%
Most of them belong to the families:
60%
50%
 Asteraceae,
 Lamiaceae,
 Rosaceae,
 Fabaceae,
 Apiaceae
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Perennial
Annual
Shrubs and trees
Biennial
Wild-collected medicinal plants
In Bulgaria, like in most other countries on the Balkans, the wild-harvesting of medicinal
and aromatic plants accounts for the vast majority (75-80 %). Only an estimated 20-25 % is
sourced from cultivation
Sambucus ebulus
Crataegus monogyna
400 t.
Rosa canina
1000 t.
270 t.
Prunus spinosa
Vaccinium myrtillus
MAP species wild-collected in the
largest quantities in Bulgaria
500 t.
1000 t.
450 t.
Urtica dioica
Tilia sp.
160 t.
CONSERVATION OF RESOURCES
As a result of the large quantities of MAPs collected from natural habitats every year, a
considerable number of Bulgaria’s botanical drug species are at risk of becoming
endangered. As a reaction to this situation, Bulgaria introduced a number of restrictions
and prohibitions - issued by the Ministry of Environment and Water- on the regulation of
collection, trade and export of medicinal and aromatic plants.
The Medicinal Plants Act regulates all
activities related to the conservation
and use of medicinal plants, and the
obligations for conservation of
biological diversity and medicinal
plants resources on the part of the
physical and juridical persons and of
the institutions. The main purpose of
this Act is to ensure conditions for
sustainable use of the medicinal plants
on the territory of Bulgaria.
 Forestry Act, 1997
 Protected Areas Act, 1998
 Medicinal Plants Act, 2000
 Environmental Protection
Act, 2002
 Biodiversity Act, 2002
 Sowing and Seedling
Material Act, 2003
61 species are under the protection of the
Biodiversity act
The collection of protected
species from the nature is
forbidden except for scientific
purposes, restoration and
reintroduction in the nature or
for cultivation – with the
permission of the Ministry of
Environment and Water
LIST OF PROTECTED MEDICINAL PLANTS IN BULGARIA
1. Acanthus spinosus L.
23. Ephedra distachya L.
2. Acorus calamus L.
24. Eryngium maritimum L.
3. Adianthum capillus veneris L.
25. Euphorbia peplis L.
4. Aesculus hippocastanum L.
26. Galanthus elwesii Hook.
5. Alchemilla achtarowii Pawl.
27. Galanthus nivalis L.
6. Alchemilala asteroantha Rothm.
28. Gentiana lutea L.
7. Alchemilla jumrukczalica Pawl.
29. Gentiana punctata L.
8. Alchemilla mollis (Buser) Rothm.
30. Glycyrrhiza glabra L.
9. Anemone sylvestris L.
31. Haberlea rhodopensis Friv.
10. Anacamptis pyramidalis (L.) L.C. Rich. 32. Himantoglossum caprinum
11. Angelica archangelica L.
(L.) Spreng
12. Aquilegia nigricans Baumg.
33. Hippophae rhamnoides L.
13. Artemisia lerchiana Weber
34. Hottonia palustris L.
14. Aristolochia rotunda L.
35. Hypericum androsаeum L.
15. Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull.
36. Huperzia inundata (L.)Bernth.
16. Campanula lanata Friv.
37. Ilex aquifolium L.
17. Chamaecytisus ratisbonensis
38. Juniperus sabina L.
(Schaeff.) Rothm.
39. Ligularia glauca (L.) Hoffm
18. Cicuta virosa L.
40. Limonium vulgare Mill.
19. Cyclamen coum Mill.
41. Menyanthes trifoliata L.
20. Dianthus pontederae A. Kern,
42. Nymphaea alba L.
21. Diphasiastrum alpinum (L.) Holub.
43. Nuphar lutea (L.) S. et S.
22. Drosera rotundifolia L.
44. Opopanax chironium (L.)Koch
45. Orchis papilionaceae L.
46. Orchis provincialis Balb.
47. Orchis militaris L.
48. Оrchis spitzelii Saut. et Koch.
49. Osmunda regalis L.
50. Pedicularis palustris L.
51. Prangos ferulacea (L.) Lindl.
52. Potentilla palustris (L.) Scop.
53. Pyrola rotundifolia L.
54. Quercus coccifera L.
55. Rheum rhaponticum L.
56. Rhodiola rosea L.
57. Ruta graveolens L.
58. Salix pentandra L.
59. Sideritis syriaca L.
60. Taxus baccata L.
61. Verbascum pseudonobile
Stoj.et Stef
Endemic medicinal species
 Balkan endemic species
 Bulgarian endemic species
Alchemilla
jumruckzalica
Alchemilla
achtarowii
Sideritis scardica
BG
Haberlea rhodopensis
Bal
Bal
Rheum rhaponticum
BG
Campanula lanata
BG
Achillea ageratifolia
Bal
Achillea clypeolata
Bal
Bal
Quota system is applied to 36 species under a special regime
of conservation and use:
Every year the Minister of Environment and Water issues an
order specifying the proper usage of medicinal plants under a
special regime. It is forbidden to gather medicinal plants under
such a regime in the national parks and in unlisted areas under
the regime. The regime does not apply to medicinal herbs
intended for personal use.
The regime includes: banning the
collection of any type of herbs on
the territory of the entire country
or in specified regions; annual
quotas determined for the different
regions and localities; application
of regenerating measures for the
populations and habitats.
Protection and utilization
of medicinal plants is of
great importance not only
for the Bulgarian flora but
also for the world flora.
One of the best ways to combine these two
controversial activities is cultivation of
species. Cultivation allows for high-quality
biological products from medicinal plants to
be exported on the international market in
line with international standards.
The cultivation gives the following
advantages:
 conservation of the natural resources
 export of high quality biological products
 production from the protected species
Establishment of ex situ collections of endangered species - effective and
promising method for long-term conservation of biodiversity.
Arnica
montana
Alchemilla
mollis
Rhodiola
rosea
Sideritis
scardica
The most important cultivated medicinal and
aromatic species in Bulgaria:
Cultivation of medicinal and aromatic
plants is more common in Bulgaria than
in most countries of the Balkans, but it
does not contribute more than 20-25 %
to the total annual medicinal and
aromatic plants harvest in the country
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Rosa damascena
Lavandula angustifolia
Mentha spp.
Sideritis scardica
Chamomilla recutita
Valeriana officinalis
Coriandrum sativum
Silybium marianum
Melissa officinalis
Research into the possibilities of cultivating MAP
species is carried out by the Institute of Biodiversity
and Ecosystem Research and Institute of Organic
Chemistry with The Centre of Phytochemistry
 Sideritis scardica
 Arnica montana
 Leucojum aestivum
 Tribulus terrestris
 Gentiana lutea
 Alchemilla mollis
 Rhodiola rosea
 Glaucium flavum
Cultivation of Sideritis
scardica Griseb.
• As a result of sustained efforts the cultivar “Sofia
2” has been created (IBER-BAS, by assoc. prof. Ljuba
Evstatieva)
• The quantitative control over the content of active
components of the cultivar "Sofia 2", which was
carried out provides an opportunity to recommend
most prospective areas for its cultivation.
Leucojum aestivum
It is under special regime of
protection and is included in the
Red Data Book of Bulgaria.
Orginal Bulgarian herbal drug Nivalin is made
from the extraction of species. It is used for
primary and long-term treatment of mild and
moderate dementia and other diseases of the
peripheral nervous system.
Tribulus terestris L.
Zygophyllaceae
Extracts of Tribulus terrestris have been
used for years in both traditional and
modern medicine. The original Bulgarian
preparation “Tribestan” of Sopharma is
used like food supplement with
substantial therapeutic or health effect.
Tribestan is used in the complex treatment of
decreased libido, impotence, infertility and
climacteric syndrome.
Silybium marianum
Asteraceae
The extract of Silybium marianum is
used as the pharmaceutical
preparation
“Silymarin” in cases of liver diseases
and protects the liver against
poisons.
Chamomilla recutita
Asteraceae
The species is used in
pharmaceutical, cosmetics and
food industry.
USES: Neutralizes Allergies; Blood cleanser;
Digestive support: helpful for chronic gastritis,
increases Liver function /secretion/ detoxing,
stimulates Pancreatic function; Oral health:
mouth sores, teething pains, toothaches; Skin
regenerator: abscesses, boils, burns, cuts,
dermatitis, open leg sores, rashes, skin
disorders, wounds, inflamed joints, ingrown
nails; Stress and Anxiety related issues:
fretfulness, insomnia, migraine headaches,
menopausal problems, tension.
Rosa damascena
Rosaceae
The flower is renowned for its fine fragrance,
and is commercially harvested for rose oil
preparation which is used in perfumery and to
make rose water and "rose concrete". The
flower petals are also sometimes used directly
to flavor food or to make tea and are
considered safe for human consumption.
Rhodiola rosea
It is protected species,
cultivated well in Bulgaria
Rhodiola rosea stimulates the
nervous system, decreasing
depression and enhancing
memory performance.
Crassulaceae
Alchemilla mollis
Rosaceae
In modern medicine, the above-ground parts
and rhizomes of the plant are used. The main
biologically active substances in Herba
Alchemillae are galotannins, flavonoids and
saponins. Drugs have a rapidly regenerating
skin epithelium impact, styptic and antiinflammatory action.
Arnica montana
Asteraceae
Arnica is applied to the skin for pain
and swelling associated with
bruises, aches, sprains, and arthritis.
It is also applied to the skin for
insect bites, muscle and cartilage
pain, chapped lips, and acne.
Gentiana lutea
Gentianaceae
Gentian root has a long history of use
as a herbal bitter in the treatment of
digestive disorders and is an ingredient
of many proprietary medicines.
It was considered especially useful in
states of exhaustion from chronic
disease and in all cases of debility,
weakness of the digestive system and
lack of appetite. It was also considered
one of the best fortifiers of the human
system, stimulating the liver, gall bladder
and digestive system, and was thought
to be an excellent tonic to combine with
a purgative in order to prevent its
debilitating effects.
Sideritis scardica
Lamiaceae
The chemical components found in Sideritis
scardica include flavonoids, iridoids, essential
oils and a wide range of micro- and
macronutrients responsible for the observed
pharmacological activities. The decoction or
infusion of the aerial parts is used as
antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial,
vulnerary, analgesic, carminative and
antiulcerative agents.
 Sideritis scardica is a popular as a tea to longevity in Pirin,
Slavyanka and Rhodope Mts. ,
 The drug is traditionally used in the treatment of the
common cold, pharyngitis, hacking cough, pulmonary
emphysema and for irritated throat
 The tea is appropriate for treating chronic kidney disease.
 Hot water extract of the flowering stems is taken orally for
prostate inflammation and for benign prostatic hyperplasia.
All of the listed plants show successful
efforts for cultivation in field conditions and
thus possibility for their sustainable use.
Traditional medicines play an important role
in health care of both developing and
developed countries.
The combination of knowledge in
ethnopharmacology and modern science
discoveries is an important step in drugs
invention.