UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES AND

VETERINARY MEDICINE
CLUJ-NAPOCA
Ph.D. SCHOOL
FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE

SIMION FLORIAN

Ph.D. THESIS

RESEARCHES ON THE KNOWLEDGE AND

CAPITALIZATION OF MEDICINAL AND
AROMATICS PLANTS OF THE UPPER BASIN OF
SOMEŞUL MIC

Scientific Coordinator
Professor PhD LEON SORIN MUNTEAN

CLUJ-NAPOCA
2012

1
SIMION FLORIAN ABSTRACT

Table of contents

INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................... 3

CHAPTER IV. PRESENTING THE RESEARCHED AREA – THE UPPER BASIN OF SOMEȘUL
MIC ............................................................................................................................................................... 4

CHAPTER V. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES. MATERIALS AND WORK METHODS......................... 4

CHAPTER VI. RESEARCH RESULTS CONCERNING MAPPING DEPENDING ON THE

DOMAIN OF USE (2007-2010) ............................................................................................................ 5

6.1. MEDICINAL PLANTS IDENTIFIED AND RECOMMENDED FOR CARDIOVACULAR DISORDERS ............................ 5

6.2.MEDICINAL PLANTS IDENTIFIED AND RECOMMENDED FOR DIGESTIVE DISORDERS ......................................... 5

6.3. MEDICINAL PLANTS IDENTIFIED AND RECOMMENDED FOR RESPIRATORY DISORDERS ................................. 5

6.4. MEDICINAL PLANTS IDENTIFIED AND RECOMMENDED FOR URINARY DISORDERS .......................................... 5

6.5. MEDICINAL PLANTS IDENTIFIED AND RECOMMENDED IN DERMATOLOGIC DISORDERS ................................. 6

6.6. MEDICINAL PLANTS IDENTIFIED AND RECOMMENDED IN METABOLIC AND NUTRITION DISEASES ................. 6

6.7. MEDICINAL PLANTS IDENTIFIED AND RECOMMENDED FOR NERVOUS SYSTEM DISORDERS ............................ 6

CHAPTER VII. OBTAINED RESULTS REGARDING THE STRUCTURE OF THE PLANTS,

CONTENT OF ACTIVE PRINCIPLES. THE QUANTITY OF VEGETABLE MATTER IN THE
MAIN STUDIED SPECIES IN THE PERIOD BETWEEN 2007-2010. ........................................... 6

CHAPTER VIII.RESULTS REGARDING THE ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY OF CERTAIN

PRODUCTS OBTAINED FROM THE MAJOR STUDIED SPECIES ................................................. 8

CHAPTER IX. CONLCUSIONS ............................................................................................................. 10

SELECTIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY .............................................................................................................. 11

2
SIMION FLORIAN ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION
In general, plants represent considerable living springs of useful resources such as:
nourishments, textile fibers, medicine, wood, perfumes, colorants, compost, some known
and some awaiting to be discovered.
Plants used for curing diseases and replenishing the healthy state of humans,
entered deeper into the consciousness of mankind as the inexhaustible dowry that is the
main healing means, although lately this role was taken over by modern medicine.
“Green medicine”, as referred to the manufacture of different pharmaceutical
plant-based products, is thought to have a great potential and consequently plants have
become the raw matter for a whole series of industries such as: chemical, pharmaceutical,
cosmetic, food and many others.
For a practical study and a thorough research i have mapped and studied 21 plants
from the spontaneous flora and with this aim in mind several trips have been made to the
superior basin of Someșului Mic up to the springs and even to the Padiș alpine highland.
There are frequent situations in which some species disappear in particular basins
due to irrational species exploitation.
In this context i have proceeded to identifying, mapping and particularly
bio-chemically characterizing some species less extracted but valuable in the phyto-
therapeutic domain.
The thesis contains results from the undertaken research during a period of four
years and it regards the identification and mapping of the plant species from the upper
basin of Someşul Mic in the area with the locations: Mărişel,Beliş,Ciurtuci,Poiana
Horii,Rachiţele si Giurcuţa.
In chapters I-III some general facts are presented regarding the use of medicinal
plants, the factors determining the quality as well as the classification of medicinal
plants concerning their domain of use.

3
SIMION FLORIAN ABSTRACT

Chapter IV. PRESENTING THE RESEARCHED AREA – THE UPPER

BASIN OF SOMEȘUL MIC
In the upper basin of Someşul Mic (337.600 hectars) there were identified areas
with a exploitation potential of 21.000 hectars in the area in between the locations:
Mărişel (2700 ha), Beliş (4800 ha), Poiana Horii, (2600ha) Ciurtuci (1900
ha),Răchițele(4500 ha), Giurcuța de Sus (4500 ha).

CHAPTER V. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES. MATERIALS AND WORK

METHODS
The study objectives were in regard with the following aspects:
 Identification of medicinal and aromatic plant species in the upper basin of
Someșul Mic
 Grouping identified medicinal and aromatic plants according to their use
 Evaluation of biological potential for the assortment of herbs mapped in the
upper basin of Someșul Mic
 Evaluation of plant mass quantities that can be purchased without
jeopardizing the perpetuation of the species by abusive harvesting
 Methods and possibilities of capitalization
 Highlighting the technical and economic results
The undertaken study reveals that a number of 73 identified and mapped species of
medicinal and aromatic plants are used in treating several disorders, circa 150
species are used in traditional medicine and 20 species of tinctorial plants are used
in the dyeing industry.

4
SIMION FLORIAN ABSTRACT

CHAPTER VI. RESEARCH RESULTS CONCERNING MAPPING

DEPENDING ON THE DOMAIN OF USE (2007-2010)
Mapping the area is the starting point for the following aspects:
 inventory of existing species and determining the amount of plant mass and
determining optimal harvesting period
 analyzing the causes for the expansion of restriction of the area of growth for some
species
 grouping by their field of use regarding certain diseases in the following manner:
6.1. MEDICINAL PLANTS IDENTIFIED AND RECOMMENDED FOR
CARDIOVACULAR DISORDERS
Crataegus monogyna L ;Geum urbanum L ;Leonorus cardiaca L ; Capsella bura-
pastoris L; Plantago species L; Equisetum arvense L Melilotus officinalis (L.) Medik.
Viscum album L. Taraxacum officinale Web. Potenttila anserina (L.) Rydb.

6.2.MEDICINAL PLANTS IDENTIFIED AND RECOMMENDED FOR DIGESTIVE

DISORDERS
Achilea millefolium L. Taraxacum officinale L. Cichorium inthybus L. Centaurea
cyanus L. Hypericum perforatum L. Equisetum arvense L. Matricaria chamomilla
L. Hypericum perforatum L Geum urbanum L. Symphytum officinale L.

6.3. MEDICINAL PLANTS IDENTIFIED AND RECOMMENDED FOR RESPIRATORY

DISORDERS
Verbascum phlomoides L. Tusilago farfara L. Althea officinalis L. Plantago
species L. Altheae rosea L Primula officinalis (L.) Hill. Origanum vulgare L.
Thymus serpyllum L. Pulmonaria officinalis L. Robinia pseudacacia L

6.4. MEDICINAL PLANTS IDENTIFIED AND RECOMMENDED FOR URINARY

DISORDERS

Achilea millefolium L. Ononis spinosa L. Polygonum aviculare L. Urtica dioica L.

Vaccinium vitis ideae L. Lamium album L Equisetum arvense L Betula pendula Roth.
Prunus spinosa L. Agropyron repens (L.) P. Beauv.

5
SIMION FLORIAN ABSTRACT

6.5. MEDICINAL PLANTS IDENTIFIED AND RECOMMENDED IN DERMATOLOGIC

DISORDERS

Viola tricolor L. Arctyum lappa L. Arnica montana L. Hypericum perforatum L.

Equisetum arvense L. Thymus serpyllum L. Cychorium intybus L. Chelidonium majus L.
Pulmonaria officinalis L. Achillea millefolium L.

6.6. MEDICINAL PLANTS IDENTIFIED AND RECOMMENDED IN METABOLIC AND

NUTRITION DISEASES

Urtica dioica L. Taraxacum officinale Web Sambucus nigra L. Hippophae

rhamnoides L Rosa canina L Equisetum arvense L. Vaccinium myrtillus L.
Cychorium intybus L. Polygonum aviculare L. Vaccinium vitis idaeae L

6.7. MEDICINAL PLANTS IDENTIFIED AND RECOMMENDED FOR NERVOUS

SYSTEM DISORDERS.

Humulus lupulus L. Tilia cordata L. Leonorus cardiaca L. Crataegus monogina L Inula

helenium L. Sambucus nigra L Thymus serpyllum L Ononis spinosa L Symphytum
officinale L. Hypericum perforatum L.

CHAPTER VII. OBTAINED RESULTS REGARDING THE STRUCTURE

OF THE PLANTS, CONTENT OF ACTIVE PRINCIPLES. THE
QUANTITY OF VEGETABLE MATTER IN THE MAIN STUDIED
SPECIES IN THE PERIOD BETWEEN 2007-2010.

Results regarding the vegetal mass volume, the dynamic of active principles
and chromatograms for the 21 studied species are presented in the next tables:

6
SIMION FLORIAN ABSTRACT

Table 7.1
The medium production of raw vegetal matter for the studied plant species from
the towns in the Upper Basin of Someșul Mic in between the years 2007-2010
Nr. Mărişel Beliş Răchiţele Poiana Ciurtuci Giurcuţa
crt. Name Horii
1 Arnica montana L . 2,25 1,97 1,53 1,32 1,75 0,97
2 Achillea millefolium L. 2,20 2,50 1,50 1,00 1,75 1,25
3 Sambucus nigra L. 2,75 4,05 2,92 3,00 2,85 4,00
4 Aconitum napellus L. 2,50 3,75 4,00 1,32 2,00 2,25
5 Vaccinium myrtillus L . 7,50 4,00 2,50 0,75 1,35 1,50
6 Vaccinium vitis idaea L 3,00 3,75 2,50 3,25 2,50 2,25
7 Juniperus communis L 4,00 3,25 2,75 3,50 4,00 2,95
Crataegus monogyna
8 Jacq. 3,75 6,25 4,00 3,50 2,25 2,25
9 Hypericum perforatum L. 5,00 4,00 7,25 4,00 4,00 4,00
10 Rubus idaeus L. 1,65 1,37 2,62 1,50 1,50 1,25
11 Rosa canina L 1,65 3,75 4,20 4,00 4,00 4,00
12 Gentiana asclepiadea L. 1,50 1,50 2,75 0,50 1,00 1,25
Tanacetum vulgare (L.)
13 Bernh. 1,00 1,00 1,50 0,75 2,50 0,75
Epilobium parviflorum
14 (Schreb) Wither 5,00 2,00 1,87 1,22 1,50 0,90
Verbascum phlomoides L.
15 - 1,00 1,25 1,87 0,87 1,30 1,05
16 Tussilago farfara L.l 2,75 3,50 3,35 2,50 4,00 3,67
17 Xanthium spinosum L. 1,05 3,00 2,50 0,75 1,50 1,00
Hippophaë rhamnoides
18 L.- 1,50 2,00 2,25 2,25 3,00 2,90
19 Origanum vulgare L. 3,00 2,00 4,00 2,75 4,00 6,50
20 Thymus serpyllum L .. 2,25 2,00 6,00 3,00 4,00 5,00
21 Abies alba Mill- 17,25 27,00 8,00 16,25 9,00 12,00

In this chapter the quantity of volatile oils were determined for the following plants:
Achillea millefolium L. Sambucus nigra L.; Juniperus communis L ; Hypericum
perforatum L.; Hippophaë rhamnoides L.;- Origanum vulgare L. ; Thymus serpyllum L
;Abies alba Mill.
The determination of the quantity of volatile oils was made through the distilation
with water vapors in a closed circuit in the Neo-Clevenger apparatus.

7
SIMION FLORIAN ABSTRACT

To identify volatile oils and their constituents i have made several

chromatographies with a thin layer using for the mobile phase toluene as solvent, ethyl
acetate 9:1, and and G. Merck silica stationary phase.
For the thin layer chromatographic analysis probes of volatile oil were used which
were diluted 1% in benzene and the calibration substances in 0,1% benzene.
For the revelation, a pulverized vanillin sulfuric agent (R) was used on a plate and
afterwards heated in the oven at 105º C.

CHAPTER VIII.RESULTS REGARDING THE ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY

OF CERTAIN PRODUCTS OBTAINED FROM THE MAJOR STUDIED
SPECIES

As in recent years the consumption of products derived from medicinal and

aromatic plants (tea, herbal medicines and dietary supplements) recorded significant
growth nationally and globally, in this chapter i performed technical and economic
calculations proving the opportunity to purchase, process and capitalize medicinal and
aromatic plants from the spontaneous flora.
With this purpose it has been calculated:
 the intermediary products cost from the price at which the materials are bought
 the selling price starting from the cost of intermediary products to which all the
expenses of processing and selling were added
 the economic efficiency rate obtained from the capitalization of intermediary
products
 the economic efficiency rate obtained from the capitalization of intermediary
products submitted to the process of producing tea, syrups and extracts.

In order to reproduce as precisely and expressively as possible the economic

efficiency achieved by categories of activities, we will be presenting a comparative

8
SIMION FLORIAN ABSTRACT

situation of economic profitability levels achieved in selling varieties of products derived

from studied species.
Table 8.1
The comparative situation of economic profitability levels on categories of products and
activities
Capitalization method
Intermediary
Nr.crt Product Tees
product Syrup
Export Internal Multi-dose Uni-dose
1 Hyperici herba 31,58 21,47 119,9 77,49 x
2 Arnicae flores 276,2 52,54 x x x
3 Millefoli flores x 52,54 150,04 x x
4 Serphyli herba x 55,53 151,76 x x
Rubii ideae
5 folium 168,25 54,24 109,02 x x
6 Xanthi herba 168,25 54,24 202,47 x x
7 Myrthili fructus 48,4 50,26 138,54 x x
8 Vitis ideae foliium x 49,32 67,7 x x
9 Sambuci flores 98,46 57,11 85,95 x 66,41
10 Tanaceti herba x 21,13 x x x
11 Gențianae radix 30,45 46,73 101,08 x x
12 Origani herba 237,5 73,90 126,09 x x
13 Aconiti radix 37,66 x x x x
14 Turiones pini 77,87 55,47 145,77 x 60,5
15 Turiones abies 77,87 55,47 x x 55,27
16 Juniperi fructus 112,3 97,01 21708 x x
17 Epilobi herba x 65,56 140,76 x x
Hyppophae
18 fructus 21,37 25,86 148,14 x 54,49
19 Taraxaci herba 12,8 58,07 89,38 x x
20 Cynosbati fructus 8,4 35,98 73,84 20,17 61,21
21 Crataegi fructus 87,94 78,55 134,98 x x

9
SIMION FLORIAN ABSTRACT

CHAPTER IX. CONLCUSIONS

Following the undertaken research on knowledge, identification and capitalization

of medicinal and aromatic plants from the upper basin of Someșului Mic between 2006
and 2010 the following conclusions are drawn:
1. The upper basin of Someșul Mic and the studied area respectively stretches on
an area of 337.300 ha and in the undertaken research only 21.000 ha were
included, in between the locations: Mărişel (2700 ha), Beliş (4800 ha), Poiana
Horii, (2600ha) Ciurtuci (1900 ha),Răchițele(4500 ha), Giurcuța de Sus (4500
ha).
2. The study undertaken has allowed an assessment of the production potential of
the area as well as evaluations on the amount of vegetal mass that can be
harvested in a year.
3. The study alse reveals the fact that in this area lie a number of:
- Circa 73 species of medicinal and aromatic plants thet may be used in
treating several disorders
- Circa 150 species of medicinal plants used in traditional medicine
- Circa 20 species of tinctorial plants used in the dyeing industry
4. Of the total medicinal plant species mapped and inventoried throughout the
upper basin of Someșul Mic we chose a total of 21 representative medicinal and
aromatic plants to which several measurements have been made regarding the
total harvesting surface of the area and the quantity of medicinal plants that can
be harvested during a calendar year.
5. For eight species of plants containing essential oils some determinations on the
oil content we also made: Pinus montana Mill, Abies alba Mill., Juniperus
communis L., Hypericum perforatum L., Origanum vulgare L., Thymus
serpyllum L., Arnica montana L., Achillea millefolium L., Tanacetum vulgare
(L.) Beruh., Hypophae rhamnoides L.
6. In the final part of the thesis some calculations were performed on valuing work
efficiency of the medicinal and aromatic plants through specialized units.

10
SIMION FLORIAN ABSTRACT

SELECTIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. ALEXAN M., BOJOR O., CRĂCIUN Fl., 1988, Flora medicinală a

României, Ediţia I, Ed. Ceres, Bucureşti; ALEXAN M., BOJOR O., CRĂCIUN
Fl., 1992 Flora medicinală a României, Ediţia II, Ed. Ceres București;AGOPIAN
A., 1975 – Plantele medicinale din flora spontană şi substituirile lor Ed.centrocoop,
Bucureşti;BENEDEC DANIELA, ONIGA ILIOARA, TOIU ANCA, TĂMAŞ M.,
2011 Plante medicinale exotice, Ed. Risoprint Cluj-Napoca;BOJOR O. ALEXAN
M., 1981 Plantele medicinale izvor de sănătate Ed. Ceres Bucureşti;BOJOR O.
ALEXAN M., 1984 Plantele medicinale şi aromatice de la A la Z, Ed. Recoop
București;BOJOR O. POPESCU O, 2000 –Fitoterapie tradiţională şi modernă
Ed. II Fiat Lux Bucureşti;BOJOR O., Fitoterapie tradiţională şi modernă, 2003,
Ediţia II, Ed. FIATLUX, Bucureşti;CHIRILA P., 1999- Plante tinctoriale și
folosirea lor în vopsirea lânii Editura Tehnica , Bucureşti;CHIRILA P., TAMAS
M., 1987 -Medicina naturistă , Ed. Medicală Bucureşti;;COICIU EVDOCHIA şi
RACZ G., 1962, Plante medicinale şi aromatice, Ed Academiei Române;
FLORIAN S. , 2006- Aspecte privind valorificarea plantelor medicinale din
flora spontană la Plafar Cluj - Hameiul şi plantele medicinale , Universitatea de
Științe Agricole şi Medicină Veterinară Cluj –Napoca;FLORIAN S., 2007 –
Valorificarea superioară a plantelor medicinale din bazinul superior al Someşului
Mic- Revista Hameiul şi Plantele medicinale -Universitatea de ştiinţe Agricole şi
medicină Veterinară Cluj –Napoca;FLORIAN S., 2008 – Plante medicinale din
bazinul superior al Someşului Mic- importantă sursă de materii prime pentru Plafar
Cluj. Hameiul şi plantele medicinale , Universitatea de ştiinşe Agricole şi Medicină
Veterinară Cluj –Napoca, Editura Academic press - Cluj Napoca;;MUNTEAN L.
S.,1990 Plante medicinale şi aromatice cultivate în România, Ed. Dacia, Cluj-
Napoca;MUNTEAN L. S., 1996, Cultura plantelor medicinale şi aromatice,

11
SIMION FLORIAN ABSTRACT

Editura Dacia, Cluj-Napoca;MUNTEAN L.S., 2001, Plante medicinale şi

aromatice în fitotehnie, Ed. Ion Ionescu de la Brad Iaşi;MUNTEAN L. S.,
TĂMAŞ M., MUNTEAN S., MUNTEAN L., DUDA M. VÂRBAN DAN,
FLORIAN S., 2007, Tratat de plante medicinale cultivate şi spontane, - Ed.
Risoprint, Cluj-Napoca;MUNTEAN L. S., STIRBAN S., 2006- Ecologie,
agroecosisteme şi protecţia mediului – Editura Dacia Cluj – Napoca;MUNTEAN
L. S., TĂMAŞ M., VÂRBAN D. I., MUNTEAN S., MUNTEAN L., FIŢIU A.,
VÂRBAN Rodica, 2003, Tehnologii în agricultura ecologică, Plante medicinale şi
aromatice, Ed. Risoprint, Cluj-Napoca;ONIGA ILIOARA, TĂMAŞ M.,
BENEDEK DANIELA, FLORIAN S., 2006 – Ghid pentru recunoaşterea şi
recoltarea plantelor medicinale din culturi Vol II, Editura Supergraph Cluj;
TĂMAŞ M., OTLĂCEAN A., 1976 Studiu comparativ al flavonelor din florile
speciilor indigene de soc. Revista Farmacia nr.24; IaşiTAMAS M., POP
CARMEN, 2005- Metode de analiză a arbutozidei din plante-U.M.F.S
ChişinăuTĂMAŞ M. şi ONIGA Ilioara, 2001, Produse fitofarmaceutice
româneşti, Ed. II-a, Tipografia UMF Cluj-Napoca;TĂMAŞ M., ONIGA Ilioara,
BENEDEC Daniela şi FLORIAN S., 2005 -Ghid pentru cunoaşterea şi recoltarea
plantelor medicinale Volumul I. Flora spontană - Ed . Dacia Cluj;TĂMAS M.,
1999 Botanica Farmaceutică Vol II Sistemica Ed. Medicală , Univ.
I.Hatieganul Cluj _Napoca;TĂMAȘ M., 1999 – Dicţionar poliglot de plante
medicinale Ediţia II- Editura U.M.F. Cluj;TĂMAS M., HODISAN V.,MOT
I.,CIOBANU E. – Documentatie de cartare plante medicinale jud. Cluj-Salaj
1982.;VÂRBAN D. , VÂRBAN RODICA , ALBERT I. , 2005, Plante
medicinale cultivate şi din flora spontană , Ed. Risoprint Cluj –Napoca

Keywords: medicinal and aromatics plants,area Beliş, Mărişel, Poiana Horii,Ciurtuci,

production, quality, rentability rate.

12