o:8787 Ethnopharmacological applications of Salvia officinalis L. in the Niš district: Traditional use in oral health disorders en Abstract: "Salvia officinalis L., commonly known as sage, is a well-known medicinal plant traditionally employed across various cultures for its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. In the Balkan region, particularly in southeastern Serbia, sage holds a prominent place in traditional medicine. Despite its widespread use, there is limited ethnopharmacological documentation specific to local regions such as the district of Niš. This study aims to investigate the traditional uses of S. officinalis in Niš, focusing on its role in treating oral and throat conditions. A cross-sectional ethnobotanical survey was conducted among 47 residents of the Niš district using online survey. Respondents were asked about their use of S. officinalis, including the parts of the plant used, preparation methods, and specific health conditions treated. Use Report (UR) was used as a reflection of how frequently a condition is associated with a particular treatment or remedy in the dataset by participants. Among the 47 respondents, 14 (29.8%) reported using S. officinalis primarily for the treatment of oral and throat-related ailments. The most frequently cited conditions included oral infections (UR = 10) and sore throat (UR = 9), followed by gum disease, toothache, and mouth ulcers (each with UR = 1). In all cases, the aerial parts of the plant were utilized, typically prepared as an infusion (tea), either for gargling or oral consumption. It is interesting to note that the majority of respondents (76.6%) do not think that the taste of tea is pleasant but despite of that they still use it regularly for the aforementioned medical conditions. That together with the frequency of citation highlights a culturally significant role of sage in folk remedies for maintaining oral hygiene and managing infections. The high incidence of reported use for oral and throat conditions aligns with existing pharmacological studies confirming the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of S. officinalis. The local preference for using aerial parts of the plant as tea suggests both practical knowledge and potential consistency with pharmacognostic data. Moreover, the congruence between traditional applications and modern biomedical evidence underscores the potential value of sage in integrative therapeutic approaches, especially in rural or medically underserved communities. This ethnopharmacological assessment confirms the cultural importance of S. officinalis in the Niš district, particularly in the management of oral and throat ailments. The findings support further phytochemical and clinical studies to validate traditional knowledge and explore potential for incorporation into evidence-based health practices. Documenting such regional uses contributes to the broader understanding of medicinal plant heritage in Serbia and the Balkan Peninsula." Keywords: Salvia officinalis, ethnopharmacology, Niš district, traditional medicine, oral health, herbal tea 1552101 2682-9630 2025-12-21T23:37:50.584Z 44 yes 46 Jovana Ickovski 46 Slobodan Ćirić 46 Aleksandra Đorđević 46 Katarina Stepić 46 Radomir Ljupković 46 Marija Marković 0000-0002-6070-6844 46 Vesna Stankov Jovanović application/pdf 839311 https://unilib.phaidrabg.rs/o:8787 no yes 1 70 92000004 71A07 BOOK OF ABSTRACTS - 11th International Conference “Modern trends in science” FMNS-2025 155 156 South-West University „Neofit Rilski”, Faculty of Mathematics & Natural Sciences, Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria 2025