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On June 24, 2020 (St Johns Eve Day) representatives of Strandzha Nature Park and nature lovers walked the interpretive route "Herbs of Strandzha", which has a starting point from the village of Brashlyan, gathered fresh herbs and enjoyed the clean, preserved nature and the air saturated with a magical aroma. Fortunately, this time no illegal dumps and large piles of waste were found on the route.

Herbs are those plants that are used in medical practice for the treatment and prevention of various diseases. It is no coincidence that many Bulgarian legends, tales and stories mention the term "herb", meaning a plant with miraculous and even magical properties.

The most famous herbs in Strandzha are the following:

Enyovche (Galium verum) - this herbaceous plant has a relatively short flowering period - mainly in late June, around St. Johns Eve, hence its name in Bulgarian. It grows on meadows, forest meadows, dry grassy places and along roads, throughout the Park. It has diuretic, astringent and anti-inflammatory action. The above-ground parts of the plant are used in gastrointestinal diseases, lymph node enlargement and externally in psoriasis.

Thyme (Thymus spp.) - on the territory of Strandzha Nature Park there are several species, the most sought after collection and the most valued of all species is the lemon thyme (T. citriodorus). It grows in open, most often dry areas with grass vegetation. It blooms from May to August. The plant has anti-inflammatory, gas-repellent, nerve- and pain-relieving, expectorant and antiseptic action. The flowers and leaves are used as an herb against inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, asthma and other respiratory problems, gastrointestinal disorders, headaches. The leaves are also used as a spice in cooking.

1. wouds that are difficult to heal, for rinsing and gargling in the oral cavity. The aboveground parts of the plants are used.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) - It is known for its many uses as an herb. It grows in vast open spaces and meadows exposed to bright sunlight, throughout the Strandzha Nature Park. Prefers soils with good drainage properties. It blooms from May to September. The plant is used as an herb against diseases of the kidneys, spleen and liver, caries, toothache, gastrointestinal disorders, fever, problems with uterine circulation and the menstrual period. It has a strong immunostimulating, antibacterial, hemostatic and blood purifying effect, it is also used for general strengthening of the body. In addition, yarrow reduces uterine cramps, relieves cough, soothes the skin (especially in eczema), significantly relieves allergies and hay fever. The above-ground part of the plant is used, mostly the flower baskets (for decoction) and the fresh leaves.

Yarrow (Achillea clypeolata) - this type of herb is a Balkan endemic (found only on the Balkan Peninsula). It grows on bare calcareous and rocky places, mainly in the western half of the Park. It blooms from May to August. It is used in the treatment of kidney inflammation, bleeding, hemorrhoids, pneumonia, diseased gums, liver and bile diseases. It is used in the form of a decoction of the flower baskets of the plant.

Mint (Mentha spp.) - in Strandzha Nature Park there are several species, one of which has a particularly strong aroma - the mint (M. arvensis). Its name comes from the local word of the Strandzha dialect"пазлак",which means open, most often dry, stony place. It is in such places that this species grows, mainly on karst terrains in the western part of the Park. It blooms from May to July. Like other mints, this is also suitable for the treatment of stomach pain, nausea, flatulence, headache, dizziness, insomnia, bronchitis and other diseases of the upper respiratory tract. It has an antiseptic and analgesic effect. It is also used in cooking - as a spice for cakes and drinks. The above-ground part is used, mostly the leaves.

Another type of herb that grows mainly on dry grassy and stony places in the Park is the “пазлашки”(mountain) tea (Sideritis montana). It blooms from May to September. A decoction of the aboveground part of the plant is used. It is drunk for coughs and sore throats.

A relative of this herb and one of the rarest plants in Bulgaria is the Crimean (Strandzha) tea, in some places called by the not very attractive name "fragrant weed" (Sideritis syriaca). In the country it has survived in the wild only within 3 localities around the town of Malko Tarnovo. According to literature data, it used to be found in coastal Dobrogea, but it is believed that nowadays it has disappeared from there. To the north outside the country, the scope of its range reaches the Crimean peninsula, hence its name.

Crimean tea is very close genetically with the popular and especially valued on the herbal market Mursal (Pirin) tea (Sideritis scardica), which, however, is not found in Strandzha. Crimean tea strengthens the immune system, has an antioxidant effect and helps reduce the risk of a number of cancers, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, heart attack and stroke. Some locals say that this herb is a natural stimulant of male potency, they call it "Strandzha Viagra", but so far these claims have not been scientifically proven. Some authors believe that the healing properties of Crimean tea are even stronger than those of the Mursal. For this reason, it is in great demand by locals and guests of Strandzha, and for this purpose many locals grow it in their yards and houses in a cultivated condition. This is what saves the last surviving natural habitats of the species from the human press, when collecting plants for medicinal purposes from these localities. Strandzha Nature Park Directorate plans to restore and improve the condition of the Crimean tea deposits in the Park, growing specimens of the species in the specialized nursery of the Directorate in the Kachul area. Subsequently, the individuals bred in nursery conditions will be resettled in the respective natural habitats of the Park territory. When produced in sufficient numbers and quantity of individuals in the nursery in the future, they will be available and available for use by local residents, guests of the Park and other stakeholders.

Another herb, which is typical mainly for Strandzha and is not very popular in most parts of the country, is cistus (Cistus incanus). Sun-loving plant, distributed mainly in the Mediterranean. In Bulgaria it is found only in the southern parts of the country. It grows in open spaces, often in rocky places and poorly fertile soils exposed to direct sunlight. They say that the cistus is a panacea for many diseases - viral infections, skin diseases, sore throats, gingivitis, periodontitis, herpes, cystitis, acne, mucosal diseases, inflammation of wounds, indigestion, fungal diseases. , even cancer.  Due to the large amount of polyphenols contained in it, cotton wool has a strong antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, immunostimulating and detoxifying effect. The flowers and leaves of the plant are used.

Many herbs, such as marigold, Crimean tea, yarrow, St. Johns wort, etc., fall under the provisions of a specialized law - the Law for Medicinal Plants. One of its decrees states that the Minister of Environment and Water issues special orders prohibiting certain plants included in the relevant Act from being harvested in certain years for any purpose. These are plants whose resources show a lasting tendency to decrease and there is a threat to their natural distribution in nature. Such a type, for example, is the Crimean tea.

On the territory of Strandzha Nature Park it is allowed to collect for personal needs herbs that do not fall under a special protection regime. But if we want to keep the populations of these medicinal plants in good condition in the future, then let us take them in really limited and reasonable quantities!

/2020-06-25/