How a Single Genus-Based Ethnobotanical Survey Can Provide Valuable Ethno-Data—A Case Study of the Genus Artemisia L. in Serbia

Based on the widespread traditional use of the genus Artemisia L. in Serbia, we conducted an ethnobotanical survey across sixty-six localities to gather valuable ethno-directed data. A total of 392 informants were interviewed. We recorded 700 use-reports and usage of seven Artemisia species. The Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) was calculated for all collected species. A. absinthium L. (RFC 0.707) was the most commonly used plant. Six Artemisia species are used in ethnomedicine and in human nutrition, four as garden plants and for other purposes, three in animal nutrition, and two in ethnoveterinary and ethnoculture. Most of them were used for digestive tract disorders, followed by respiratory and cardiovascular system disorders and antiparasitic treatments. Flowering aerial parts were the most frequently used plant parts. Infusions and tinctures, especially medicinal travarica, were the main preparation types . Some vernacular names, recipes, uses, and ritual practices recorded in this study appear to be poorly documented or previously unreported in the ethnobotanical literature consulted.