Spontaneous Officinal Plants in the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park: Tradition, Protection, Enhancement, and Recovery

Spontaneous officinal plants in the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park hold significant potential for local economic development through their traditional medicinal uses and novel applications. The study reveals that these plants can serve as effective sources of anti-germination agents, with aqueous extracts demonstrating promise for weed control in agriculture. Additionally, historical evidence from the territory of Sanza on Monte Cervati highlights past industrial activity, particularly lavender essential oil distillation, which could further enhance territorial resources. Biometric surveys and biomass evaluations were conducted to assess productive potential, while chemical-physical analyses characterized hydrolates recovered via steam distillation. Ethnobotanical data underscored diverse traditional uses in medicine, nutrition, rituals, and religion, suggesting a multifaceted approach to recovery and enhancement of the park's heritage.

De Falco, E., Rigano, D., Fico, V., Vitti, A., Barile, G., & Pergola, M. (2023). Spontaneous Officinal Plants in the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park: Tradition, Protection, Enhancement, and Recovery. Plants, 12(3), 465. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12030465