CHAPTER 13 Norway’s Rosmarin (Rhododendron tomentosum) in Past and Present Tradition

Alm, Torbjörn; Iversen, Marianne

doi:10.1515/9781845458140-016

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“…According to research and ethnopharmacological data, R. groenlandicum is less toxic than R. tomentosum because of the minimal ledol quantity in its essential oil composition [ 5 , 6 , 58 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phytochemical Profiling and Biological Activities of Rhododendron Subsect. Ledum: Discovering the Medicinal Potential of Labrador Tea Species in the Northern Hemisphere

Vengrytė,

Raudonė

2024

Plants

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Rhododendron subsect. Ledum is a distinct taxonomic subdivision within the genus Rhododendron, comprising a group of evergreen shrubs and small trees. This review will comprehensively analyse the phytochemical profiles and biological properties of the Rhododendron subsect. Ledum species subsect. Ledum consists of eight plant species indigenous to temperate and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere, collectively known as Labrador tea. Recent investigations have concentrated on the phytochemical constituents of these plants due to limited data, emphasizing their evergreen nature and potential industrial significance. This review summarizes their major phytochemical constituents, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and terpenoids, and discusses their potential biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antitumor, hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, and cardioprotective effects. Traditional uses of these plant species align with scientific findings, emphasizing the significance of these plants in traditional medicine. However, despite promising results, gaps exist in our understanding of specific compounds’ therapeutic effects, necessitating further research for comprehensive validation. This review serves as a valuable resource for researchers, identifying current knowledge, uncertainties, and emerging trends in the study of the Rhododendron subsect. Ledum species.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phytochemical Profiling and Biological Activities of Rhododendron Subsect. Ledum: Discovering the Medicinal Potential of Labrador Tea Species in the Northern Hemisphere

Vengrytė,

Raudonė

2024

Plants

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Scented grasses in Norway—identity and uses

Alm

2015

J Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine

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BackgroundSome grass species are richer in coumarin and thus more sweetly scented than others. These have been eagerly sought after in parts of Norway, but the tradition has been weakly documented, both in terms of the species collected, their vernacular names, and uses.MethodsBased on literature data and a substantial body of information collected during my own ethnobotanical field work, artefacts and voucher specimens, the grass species are identified, and their uses clarified.ResultsIn Norwegian literature, the tradition of collecting and using scented grasses has received little attention, and past authors largely refer it to Anthoxanthum spp. The tradition’s concentration to the Sámi strongholds of northernmost Norway, and most authors’ lacking knowledge of the Sámi language, have contributed to the weak and misleading coverage in previous publications. Coumarin-rich grass species are well known in folk tradition in northernmost Norway, as luktegress (Norwegian, “scent grass”), háissasuoidni (North Sámi, “scent grass”), hajuheinä (Finnish, “scent grass”), or similar terms. They have been (and still are) frequently collected, and used as perfume, for storing with clothes, and a number of other purposes. Despite literature records identifying the species used as Anthoxanthum odoratum coll. (including A. nipponicum), the main source utilized in North Norway is Hierochloë odorata, both ssp. arctica and ssp. odorata. Anthoxanthum nipponicum and Milium effusum are alternative, but infrequently used sources of material, depending on local tradition and availability.ConclusionBy far the most important grass species hiding behind the “scented grass” tradition in Norway is Hierochloë odorata. Anthoxanthum nipponicum is also used, but much less frequently, and only a single record confirms the use of Milium effusum. Only the foliage of Hierochloë provides suitable material for making traditional braids. The three major ethnic groups in Norway have all utilized scented grasses as perfume and for storing with clothes, but the tradition’s geographical concentration to the far north of Norway (Finnmark and NE Troms), suggests that it has originally mainly been a Sámi tradition, adopted by their neighbours.

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CHAPTER 13 Norway’s Rosmarin (Rhododendron tomentosum) in Past and Present Tradition

Cited by 2 publications

References 0 publications

Phytochemical Profiling and Biological Activities of Rhododendron Subsect. Ledum: Discovering the Medicinal Potential of Labrador Tea Species in the Northern Hemisphere

Phytochemical Profiling and Biological Activities of Rhododendron Subsect. Ledum: Discovering the Medicinal Potential of Labrador Tea Species in the Northern Hemisphere

Scented grasses in Norway—identity and uses

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