Edelweiss (Runolist)
Leontopodium nivale · Asteraceae
Edelweiss
Leontopodium nivale
Runolist
Leontopodium alpinum
Asteraceae
Botanical note
A protected alpine rarity of the high Dinaric summits (only ~8 records in BiH) — felted white stars flowering July–September. In Bosnia it clings to Vranica, Bjelašnica, Maglić, Vlašić, and Treskavica.
Traditionally used
⚠ A protected alpine rarity — witnessed, not gathered. In Alpine and Dinaric folk medicine the flowering tops were taken against inflammation — coughs and bronchial irritation, gastritis and colitis, rheumatic pain and fever — as powder, infusion, or compress. Its leontopodic acids carry the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial action later study confirmed.
Prepared as
Traditionally an infusion, or a compress of the aerial parts. ⚠ Protected species — never harvested from the wild; use only cultivated material.
Safety
Safety notes for this plant are still being written. Until they are, treat it with a cautious hand.
Plants can look similar and be misidentified — always verify with a local herbalist or guide before use.
Sources & lineage
Alpine / Dinaric folk medicine (aerial parts, anti-inflammatory); Leontopodium pharmacology — Mediators of Inflammation 2012, PMC3474292.
Kept alongside