T. V. Pashkova, A. P. Rodionova. Healing properties of berry plants in Karelian folk medicine (based on field research)

Healing properties of berry plants in Karelian folk medicine (based on field research)

Tatyana V. Pashkova
Petrozavodsk State University

Aleksandra P. Rodionova
Karelian Research Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences,
Petrozavodsk, Russia

Introduction. The research analyzes and systematizes the field materials of folk medicine of the Karelians collected by the authors among the Karelians living in Karelia in the 2000-ies.
Materials and Methods. Field materials were collected in the places of residence of the Karelians. The research was carried out using comparative and comparative-historical methods.
Results and Discussion. In the presented study, the authors turn to one of the most widespread and ancient methods of ethno-medicine which is a treatment by berries, namely the use of berries, berry plants and their components by the Karelians. This topic is relevant both from the point of view of the application of traditional medical knowledge to the treatment, and because the range of medicinal herbs reflects the ethnic identity of the people and local characteristics. The collected and reviewed materials showed that berries and parts of berry plants have a fairly wide range of applications in the medical practice of all groups of the Karelians. Such types of berries as lingonberry, cranberry, blueberry, bird cherry, viburnum, raspberry, cloudberry, strawberry, irga, wolf bast, black currant were used for medical purposes. Herbal medicine was very popular in the treatment of colds, gastrointestinal diseases, general malaise and some skin diseases in all groups of the Karelians (Livvic and Ludic). The most common methods of berry treatment, which are common throughout the territory of Karelia, were fresh cranberries and lingonberries; raspberry jam; tea with dried raspberries or cloudberry sepals; decoction of raspberry leaves and berries; lingonberry or cranberry juice. The same plant could be used to treat different diseases, but the parts of the plant and the way it was consumed could vary.
Conclusion. The collected material and the research have shown that berries and parts of berry plants have a fairly wide range of applications in the medical practice of all groups of the Karelians. In general, treatment with berry plants was very popular in the treatment of colds, gastric diseases, general malaise and some skin diseases in all groups of the Karelians.

Keywords: folk medicine, herbal medicine, Karelians, Karelian traditional culture, healing rituals, beliefs

Acknowledgments: The study by A. P. Rodionova was carried out within the framework of the state financing of the Karelian Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences (subject no. 121070700122-5 “Basic and applied aspects of research on Baltic Finnic languages of Karelia and neighbor regions”).

For citation: Pashkova TV, Rodionova AP. Healing properties of berry plants in Karelian folk medicine (based on field research). Finno-ugorskii mir = Finno-Ugric World. 2022;14;4:474–485. (In Russ.). DOI: 10.15507/2076-2577.014.2022.04.474-485.