The scientific conference “Herbal manuscripts as sources of traditional medicine of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina” was held in the Museum of Pharmacy

On Wednesday, July 9, 2025, in the premises of the Museum of Pharmacy, a scientific conference entitled “Herbal manuscripts as sources of traditional medicine of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina”, which lasted from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. was held.

In front of the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a presentation entitled “From herbal balms to the advice of Bosnian grandmothers: Structural analysis of the healer Fr. Michael Nikolić” was prepared and presented by Ernis Šljivo (Senior curator for Spiritual culture), Amina Karaica (Curator for the New Stone Age) and Ajla Berberović (Curator-biologist for flowering plants).

As part of the presentation, a Herbal manuscript, kept in the Department of Ethnology of the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina which talks about folk life, customs and traditional medicine from the end of the 19th century, was presented. The Herbal manuscript is a testimony of cultural adaptation and resilience of the community. Its form – manuscript, undecorated paper, functionally structured text indicate a modest but systematic application of knowledge.

The Herbal manuscript of friar Michael Nikolić was created in 1868 in the region of Široki Brijeg. The Herbal manuscript’s journey to the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina was long, but it was ultimately purchased for 3,000 dinars. It contains 141 recipes for treating various illnesses and injuries, 25 recipes for women’s diseases, 37 recipes for treating domestic animals, and some general advice. It contains 132 different plant species used for treatment, along with animal and mineral substances. A special charm is given to this Herbal manuscript by the notes in which the author describes his experience with the use of certain preparations.

The Museum of Pharmacy, headed by associate prof. dr. mr. ph. Tarik Čatić,  stated that this conference is the beginning of systematic research and the establishment of wider professional cooperation in the field of studying herbal manuscripts as valuable heritage and the foundation of traditional medicine in Bosnia and Herzegovina.