Across the Alpine arc, from the Ligurian mountains to the Julian Alps, communities kept alive a long tradition of herbal knowledge that once shaped everyday life: back in the day, mountain plants were used for healthcare, household remedies, food preservation, and small-scale economic exchange and, at a later stage, religion and ritual practice also contributed to how certain herbs were valued, protected or used at specific times of the year.
Today, this heritage is receiving renewed attention through ethnobotanical studies, museums dedicated to local flora, and associations that promote sustainable harvesting and documentation, yet it remains incredibly fragile.
