“ROMANIJA HERBS” – A STORY OF A MAN, A MOUNTAIN AND HEALTH

In the forests and meadows of Mount Romanija, plants that have been part of folk tradition and herbal medicine for centuries continue to grow. For more than 15 years, Mladenko Srdija has devoted himself to collecting and studying these plants, having unexpectedly found his life's calling in Pale.

PHOTO: SRNA

Where others see only grass and flowers, Srdija recognises individual plants, their aromas and traditional uses. He has spent more than a decade searching for herbs across Romanija, studying them, drying them and preparing various products. He calls his work “Romanija Herbs”.

Originally from Donji Vakuf, Srdija came to Pale due to circumstances in his life, and it was there that his journey into herbalism began.

“I stayed in Pale for health reasons and started collecting these herbs. I called them ‘Romanija Herbs’ because they are gathered across the Romanija region and the surrounding areas,” Srdija told the Srna news agency.

FROM SIX PLANTS TO A BLEND OF 33 HERBS

His story began in 2009, when he prepared his first herbal drops using just a few plants. After trying them himself, he shared them with people in his community, whose positive feedback encouraged him to continue.

He subsequently began studying medicinal plants in greater depth, acquiring specialist literature and refining his recipes.

“I first made drops from around six plants. I took them myself, my wound healed, and I felt stronger. I started sharing them with my neighbours, and they told me they were good. That was when I decided to pursue this work and began reading and collecting professional books,” Srdija recalled.

Today, his main herbal preparation contains a blend of 33 plants. Srdija attributes a range of health benefits to the mixture, including effects on blood vessels, blood clotting and certain blood parameters. He also recalls that people who used his products reported positive experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

These are the herbalist's claims and personal observations; the medicinal effects described have not been independently established here.

FROM TEAS AND OINTMENTS TO SPECIALISED HERBAL PREPARATIONS

Encouraged by his experiences, Srdija gradually expanded his range of products. Today, he prepares various ointments and balms using ingredients such as petroleum jelly, lanolin and plant extracts, as well as creams, teas and herbal drops made from plants collected on the plateaus of Romanija and Jahorina.

He says each mixture is prepared according to its intended use, with particular attention paid to selecting the right plant and harvesting it at the appropriate time.

“I make different ointments for various wounds, injuries, eczema, joints and muscles. There is comfrey cream for back pain and calendula preparations for skin conditions. I also make different teas and herbal mixtures, depending on the condition they are intended for,” Srdija explained.

He also produces drops that he says are intended for sinus problems, thyroid conditions and lowering blood sugar, as well as preparations he claims can help prevent the spread of cancer cells.

Such claims, particularly those concerning cancer and other serious medical conditions, require rigorous scientific evidence. Herbal preparations should not replace prescribed treatment or medical advice.

HERBALISM IS MUCH MORE THAN A JOB

Behind every product lies a lengthy process, beginning with locating plants in their natural habitat and continuing through harvesting, drying and preparation.

For Srdija, the harvesting season lasts throughout the year. It begins in early spring, when the first buds appear and certain plants are collected by their roots, continues through summer and concludes with the autumn harvest.

“You have to know when each plant is ready to be collected. I have managed to build a drying facility using natural methods. I converted an attic space beneath the house into a drying area of around 40 square metres, which allows me to work without interruptions,” he said.

His family helps with the work, although he still collects most of the plants himself. He explains that this allows him to know exactly what has been gathered, where it was collected and how it was prepared.

Srdija says rapid expansion is not his priority. Instead, he focuses on maintaining quality and preserving the trust of customers who return to him.

For him, herbalism is not simply a business, but a way of life built around patience, knowledge and a close connection with nature.

THE FOUNDATION OF EVERYTHING: ROMANIJA'S PRISTINE NATURE

Mount Romanija occupies a central place in Srdija's story. Its natural environment provides the foundation for his work, and he believes that the quality of the surrounding ecosystem is essential to the plants he collects

He is increasingly concerned, however, about the pressures affecting the natural world. According to Srdija, finding quality medicinal herbs is becoming more difficult because of deforestation, the disappearance of water springs and other human activities that are changing natural habitats.

He also points out that the quality of the same plant can vary considerably even between locations separated by relatively short distances.

These challenges have strengthened his determination to preserve his knowledge and maintain a careful approach to collecting herbs. For him, protecting the environment is inseparable from the future of traditional herbalism.

A LIFE DEDICATED TO NATURE AND TRADITION

From the first six plants to today's blend of 33, and from a personal health experience to more than a decade of dedication, Mladenko Srdija has developed “Romanija Herbs” into a story that goes far beyond his products.

It is a story of a life spent outdoors, searching for plants, learning about their characteristics and refining traditional methods. It is also an effort to preserve knowledge that, in his view, is becoming increasingly difficult to pass on as human activity continues to affect the natural environment.

As Romanija changes with the seasons, Srdija continues to explore its forests and meadows, carefully collecting the plants that have become an essential part of his life.

What began as a personal search has grown into a lifelong commitment to nature, traditional herbal knowledge and the mountain that gave him a new direction in life.