Ethnobotany and Exploitation Potential of Oreganum Vulgare L. in the Rhodopes, Bulgaria

Both Origanum vulgare L. subsp. vulgare and O. vulgare subsp. hirtum (Link) Ietsw. occur in the Rhodopes in different habitats. Collection of O. v. subsp. hirtum is forbidden for trade purposes in Bulgaria by law. The aim of this study is to trace the traditional use and collection of both subspecies in the Rhodopes therefore ethnobotanical survey was carried out. O. vulgare was one of the most frequently reported plants, used to prepare herbal tea with health preventive properties by people of Central Rhodopes. Although people were aware of health beneficial effects of Oregano only few reports for given medicinal use were recorded. The typical subspecies is actively collected both for personal use and trade purposes. The rare O. vulgare subsp. hirtum is collected from wild for a culinary spice in East Rhodopes. Seldom collecting from wild populations for trade purposes despite of law restriction was detected. Our observation is that there is practically no traditional culture of growing aromatic plants in the Rhodopes when they occur wild in the vicinity. It is necessary to perform a campaign for cultivation of Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum in the area of its native occurrence instead of wild collection. This will contribute not only to the conservation of the taxon but also to the development of rural areas of East Rhodopes.