Vasa Pelagić’s Narodni Učitelj is far more than a 19th-century manual on literacy and morality—it is a treasure trove of folk remedies, herbal lore, and practical wellness guidance from rural Balkan life. Beyond ethical instruction, Pelagić recorded dozens of remedies, herbal preparations, and food-based tonics—wisdom still resonant for modern herbalists and witches seeking ancestral inspiration.
Vasa Pelagić (1838–1899) was a Balkan educator, social reformer, and folk thinker who believed health was inseparable from daily life. His Narodni Učitelj was written for ordinary people—farmers, laborers, and families—offering guidance on learning, morality, movement, hygiene, food, and herbal care.
Rather than treating illness as something separate from living, Pelagić framed health as the natural result of how one eats, works, breathes, moves, and relates to the seasons.
“First, by moving around in pleasant company and doing light work, one should remove thoughts that bring sadness and grief; walking or otherwise getting fresh air is helpful; and to forget one’s worry, deep whistling may change one’s state of mind. Eat kačamak, soft boiled eggs, fresh and dried fruit, and sauces made of raw onion and raw radish.”
Pelagić understood the interplay of mind, movement, and nourishment. Today, nettle tea, rosemary infusions, or a warming yarrow porridge echo the same principle: herbs and wholesome foods restore vitality naturally.
“Whoever washes and rubs his chest with cold water and ensures that he never sweats in the room will not catch a cold. And whoever does catch a cold, let him immediately take an ax and split wood until he is drenched with sweat over his whole body.”
Pelagić emphasized circulation, fresh air, and active living. Herbal complements—elderflower, thyme, sage, and warming teas—work alongside lifestyle practices to fortify the body against seasonal illnesses.
Raw or lightly cooked vegetables—onions, radishes, leafy greens—alongside fermented dairy or kačamak appear repeatedly in Pelagić’s guidance. They are used to:
Herbal parallels: Caraway, fennel, and mint teas honor the same principle, blending tradition with practical herbalism.
Pelagić’s herbal repertoire emphasizes holistic approaches rather than single remedies. Key plants include:
These plants frequently appear in combination with diet and daily routines, illustrating a truly integrative herbal philosophy.
Pelagić prioritized preventive measures alongside herbs:
These practices reveal an early understanding of environmental health and preventive care, rooted in observation and folk knowledge.
Many of Pelagić’s favorite herbs—nettles, chamomile, mugwort—remain staples in modern witchy apothecaries. His combination of folk wisdom, herbal knowledge, and practical life advice continues to inspire herbalists exploring ancestral traditions.
For modern application and deeper study:
Pelagić’s guidance bridges centuries, showing how simple village remedies can thrive in modern herbal practice.
This post shares cultural and historical folk remedies from Vasa Pelagić’s Narodni Učitelj for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice.
What remedies did Vasa Pelagić recommend for fatigue?
Pelagić recommended nettle tea, rosemary infusions, yarrow-based foods, and strengthening meals such as kačamak and eggs.
Are Pelagić’s folk remedies still relevant today?
Yes. Many plants he described—nettle, chamomile, yarrow—remain foundational in modern herbalism and folk medicine.
Did Pelagić combine lifestyle advice with herbal remedies?
Absolutely. He emphasized movement, fresh air, hygiene, and diet alongside plant-based treatments.
Is Narodni Učitelj a medical book?
No. It is a folk educational manual reflecting 19th-century Balkan knowledge, not a clinical medical text.
How should modern readers approach Pelagić’s remedies today?
As cultural wisdom rather than literal instruction. His work offers insight into how Balkan villagers understood health, balance, and prevention—ideas that can inspire modern herbal practice without direct imitation.