Ethnopharmacological relevance: Salvia L. (Lamiaceae) is a diverse genus encompassing numerous species used worldwide in traditional medicine and ritualistic practices. Beyond these uses, Salvia species also hold notable ornamental and culinary value, underscoring their broad ethnobotanical significance. However, a comprehensive perspective on the global utilization of the species remains absent from the literature.
Aim of the study: This review aimed to provide the first extensive global synthesis of the ethnobotany and ethnopharmacology of the Salvia genus, offering substantial insights into its worldwide applications.
Materials and methods: Data on ethnobotanical and traditional uses, along with other applications, were compiled through electronic databases (Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar) and supplemented with information from specialized ethnobotanical sources and reference books.
Results and conclusions: Ethnopharmacological evidence revealed 187 Salvia species with documented uses across Asia (Middle East, China), America (Mesoamerica and South America), Africa (Saharan and southern regions), and Europe (Mediterranean and Balkan areas). The most frequently cited ailments in which Salvia species are used were gastrointestinal (127), respiratory (86), dermatological (82), and genitourinary (80). Culinarily, the genus provides aromatic and nutritional properties, increasing the value of diverse dishes and beverages. Species such as S. apiana Jeps., S. divinorum Epling & Játiva, S. fruticosa Mill., S. officinalis L., and S. rosmarinus Spenn., as well as the mirto and ñucchu complexes within subgenus Calosphace, possess cultural prominence. Despite this diversity, there are critical knowledge gaps that future phylogenetic and cross-cultural analyses could address.
Keywords: Cultural heritage; Ethnobotany; Folk medicine; Phytotherapy; Salvia; Traditional knowledge.
Copyright © 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.