ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Pharmacol., 29 November 2021

Sec. Ethnopharmacology

Volume 12 - 2021 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.760492

Medicinal Plants Used by Traditional Healers in Algeria: A Multiregional Ethnobotanical Study

  • Laboratory Research on Biological Systems and Geomatics, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, University of Mascara, Mascara, Algeria

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Abstract

Traditional medicine is the cornerstone that boosts scientific research to explore new therapeutic approaches. The study aimed to assess the traditional knowledge and use of medicinal plants to treat various ailments by Algerian traditional healers. Forty traditional healers were face-to-face interviewed in three different Algerian areas (West, Kabylia, and Sahara). The data collected were analyzed using quantitative indices such as fidelity level (FL) and informant consensus factor (FIC). A total of 167 species belonging to 70 families were recorded. Lamiaceae (13%), Asteraceae (13%), Apiaceae (7%), and Rosaceae and Fabaceae (5% each) were the most cited families. The survey revealed that leaves were the most used parts of the plants (29%). Furthermore, decoction (35%), raw (24%), and infusion (19%) were the common modes for the remedies’ preparation. Here, 15% of the total species were newly reported as medicinal plants. Besides, it was reported for the first time a total of 47 new therapeutic uses for 20 known plant species. Of 17 ailments categories, cancer was presented by 44 species, showing the highest FIC of 0.46. Marrubium vulgare L., Artemisia herba-alba Asso., Zingiber officinale Roscoe., and Juniperus phoenicea L. recorded the maximum fidelity value of 100%. Therefore, our study reveals strong ethnomedicinal knowledge shared by local populations living in the three regions studied. The medicinal species with a high FL could be promising candidates for identifying new bioactive molecules.

Introduction

Medicinal plants are still considered important and promising sources of drugs to treat various diseases. Their therapeutic uses, vernacular names, modes of preparation, and routes of administration were orally transmitted to constitute a local ancestral knowledge characterizing each population or ethnic group living in a specified area. Actually, from the identification of morphine in opium in the 19th century, drug discovery is based on ethnobotanical investigations and local ethnomedicinal knowledge (Ojah, 2020). Moreover, almost 35% of drugs and about 80% of anticancer drugs used in clinical practice are plants- or natural products-derived (Calixto, 2019).

Algeria is the largest country in the Mediterranean basin, Africa, and the Arab region with a total area of almost 2.4 million km2 and 1,600 of coastline. In addition to a diversified climate, Algeria is characterized by a rich flora consisting of 4,000 taxa, 917 genera, and 131 families. Moreover, owing to its ancient history as one of the first cradles of Homo sapiens and civilization in the world, Algeria possesses an important and rich cultural diversity. Although several studies have been undertaken to document the local knowledge regarding the use of medicinal plants to treat different diseases (Benarba, 2015; Benarba et al., 2016; Chelghoum et al., 2021; Mechaala et al., 2021), the Algerian ancestral ethnomedicinal knowledge deserves more ethnobotanical investigations. On the other hand, almost all of these ethnobotanical studies covered one region and therefore the same culture and traditions. The present study was carried out in three important regions of Algeria: North-West, Kabylia (Center), and Sahara (South) to 1) record the medicinal species used for medicinal purposes and the local therapeutic practices of traditional healers and 2) document the species newly reported as medicinal plants and new uses.

Material and Methods

Description of the Study Area

The multiregional study was carried out in three regions in Algeria: North-West, Kabylia (Center), and Sahara (South) (Figure 1). The ethnobotanical investigations in the North-West were performed in five departments: Mascara (area = 5,139 Km2), Oran (area = 2,114 Km2), Mostaganem (area = 2,269 Km2), Sid Bel Abbas (area = 9,150 Km2), and Tiaret (area = 20,673 Km2) and their surrounding villages located from the Mediterranean Sea to the Moroccan borders. Although no data is available regarding the flora of each department, that of the region of Oran showed the presence of 92 taxa; out of them, 72 remain endemic (Miara et al., 2018). The ethnobotanical study carried out in Center Algeria covered one city named Tizi Ouzou and its surrounding villages covering an area of 3,568 Km2, located 100 km east of the capital (Algiers) and 30 km south of the Mediterranean Sea. Owing to its favorable climate, this region is characterized by an important vegetal diversity, including 659 species, 95 subspecies, 2 varieties, and 1 forma from 381 genera and 88 botanical families (Meddour and Sahar, 2021). The south areas included in the present study covered three of the main cities of the Algerian large desert: Ghardaïa (area = 32,256 Km2), Bechar (area = 161,400 Km2), and El Bayad (area = 71,686 Km2), characterized by important cultural, ecological, climatic, and botanical diversity (Taïbi et al., 2020; Taïbi et al., 2021). This desert wide region is characterized by sparse vegetation, grasses appearing during a short period of the year, and rare trees. According to its adaptation mode to the drought, Saharan flora can be divided into ephemeral plants, called “achebs” with a short vegetative cycle of one to four months, and perennial plants with morphological and anatomical adaptations based on an enhanced absorbent system and reduced evaporating surface. The local flora comprises 130 species belonging to 40 families (Chehma and Djebbar, 2008).

FIGURE 1

Data Collection

The ethnobotanical investigations were carried out from December 2019 to June 2020. During this period, we visited 13 cities and 19 villages in the study areas, searching for traditional healers. The data had been gathered from 40 informants; 87.5% of them were professionals, acquiring the therapeutic knowledge by the transition from generation to generation, and 12.5% were herbalists. The traditional healers were interviewed by a face-to-face interview in their homes or workplaces to fill out a questionnaire and collect the data. The responses included the demographic characteristics of healers (Table 1) and other information related to the uses of medicinal plants, such as the vernacular name, ailments treated, parts used, preparation, and administration modes. The species were given in their local names in Arabic or Amazigh.

TABLE 1

Gendern100%
F2357.5%
M1742.5%
Areas
West2665.0%
Kabylia615.0%
Sahara (desert)820.0%
Age
34–49410.0%
50–651127.5%
66–811537.5%
82–981025.0%
Education
Illiterate2767.5%
Literate1332.5%
Inherited2870.0%
Acquired717.5%
Unknown512.5%

Demographic characteristics of the traditional healers.

Botanical Identification

The medicinal species mentioned by the traditional healers were collected, coded, and dried. Voucher specimens were deposited at the Herbarium of the Laboratory of Research on Biological Systems and Geomatics (LRSBG), University of Mascara, Algeria.

The taxonomic identification was performed by Professor Bachir Benarba using the standard literature (Baba Aissa, 1999; Kunkele and Lohmeyer, 2007; Trabut, 2015).

Ailment Categories

Table 2 shows more than 100 diseases recorded from the ethnobotanical investigations. All the ailments were classified into 17 categories based on the vital system/organ affected or type of damage.

TABLE 2

CategoryAilments/disordersAbbreviation
Kidney diseasesKidney failure, kidney problems, and urolithiasisKD
Gastrointestinal system diseasesIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcers, heartburn, hemorrhoids, stomach ache, diarrhea, constipation, colitis, flatulence, gastrointestinal diseases, gallstones, liver diseases, and jaundice/icterusGISD
Skin diseasesLimb swelling, itchy skin, tinea capitis, scalp ringworm, heel fissures, skin diseases and ulcer, urticaria, lichen, chalazion, albinism, dermatitis or eczema, boils, head ulcers, skin ulcers, leprosy, festering wounds, and burnsSD
CancerCancer, blood cancer, gum tumors, tumors, skin pimples, uterine cysts/tumors, breast cysts, breast tumors lung tumors, liver cancer, breast cancer, legs cancer, skin cancer, early stage cancer, and stomach cancerCan
Endocrine system diseasesGoiter and diabetesESD
Respiratory tract diseasesSinusitis, bronchitis, nasal-lung inflammation, pneumonia, lung filtering/smoker, chest and lung diseases, cough, pulmonary-breathing problem, asthma, allergy, cold, and chest painRTD
Skeletomuscular system disorderOsteoarthritis, bones pain, acute arthritis, gout, back pain, arthritis, arthrosis, fracture, osteoporosis, and moving difficultySMSD
Cardiovascular system diseasesCardiovascular diseases, hypertension, clogged arteries, and hypercholesterolemiaCVSD
General healthEarache and deafness, hoarseness, sore throat, fever, mouth ulcer, halitosis, gingivitis, anxiety disorders, and hypochondria, tonsillitis, and incurable diseasesGH
HaircareBaldness, alopecia areata, and hair lossHC
Nervous systemMigraine, headache, dizziness, head problems, psychosis, insomnia, epilepsy, and sciaticaNS
Sexual-reproductive problemsUterine problems, uterine microbe, infections, infertility, breast milk outage, and prostatitisSRP
Infectious diseasesLaryngitisID
PoisoningScorpion sting and poisoningP
Hematological system diseasesAnemia, spleen diseases, and blood purificationHSD
Urology system diseasesBladder disease, urinary tract infection/inflammation, and cystolithiasisUSD

Ailments categories.

Data Analysis

Ethnobotanical indices, fidelity level (FL) and informant consensus factor (FIC), were calculated to analyze the data obtained. Consensus indicators FL and FIC were used to quantify the relevance and importance of a species for a given ailment category and the agreement of its use among healers, respectively (Hoffman and Gallaher, 2007; Khan et al., 2014). FL and FIC were calculated using the following formulas (Morvin Yabesh et al., 2014):

Fidelity level: FL (%) = (Np/N)*100

Np is the number of use reports for a given species reported for a particular ailment category, and N is the total number of use reports cited for any given species.

Informant Consensus Factor: FIC = (Nur-Nt)/(Nur-1)

Nur is the number of use citations in each category, and Nt is the number of species reported in each category.

Results

Botanical Diversity, Parts Used, Modes of Preparation, and Administration

This study revealed 167 species of medicinal species used for therapeutic purposes, belonging to 70 families. Lamiaceae (13%), Asteraceae (13%), Apiaceae (7%), Rosaceae (5%), and Fabaceae (5%) were the most cited families, while the 66 remaining families (57%) had between 1 and 5 species in each (Figure 2). As shown in Figure 3, the plant parts most frequently used were leaves (29%), followed by aerial part (23%), seeds (12%), fruits (9%), and flowers (7%). Some used parts were lower than those, such as roots (6%), bark (5%), and whole plant, bulb, wax, and stalk (2% each). Besides, peels, flower buds, stamen, and gum were slightly used (1%).

FIGURE 2

FIGURE 3

Regarding the preparation methods (Figure 4), decoction (35%), raw (24%), infusion (19%), paste (10%), and maceration (8%) were the dominant methods for remedies preparation. Surprisingly, the current study recorded burning (2%) as an uncommon/novel mode used by traditional healers. In addition, the common administration route was the oral ingestion (56%) followed by external application as an ointment on the skin and compress (27%), steam (11%), or internally tract as nasal inhalation (3%), intraear (2%), and the mouthwash (1%) (Figure 5). Of the remedy’s prescription, 64% of medicinal plants were mixed with other ingredients, and 36% were taken without addition. Indeed, there were 32 species combined with one plant, 21 plants with two plants, 19 plants with three or four plants, and 14 plants with more than four plants. Furthermore, some herbal mixtures (43%, n = 74 species) were prepared by adding different adjuvants (Figure 6). These adjuvants include honey (25 use reports) followed by olive oil (22), fat (8), vinegar (7), plant oil, and sulfur and tar (6 times each).

FIGURE 4

FIGURE 5

FIGURE 6

New Reports and New Uses

By comparing the data from this study with other ethnobotanical researches carried out in Algeria and neighboring countries (Morocco, Tunisia, Mauritania, Nigeria, and Mali), we found that 11% of total species have not been previously reported as medicinal plants. Of them, 11 species were documented in Sahara, 5 in Kabylia, and 3 in West Algeria. These species are used as remedies to treat both common ailments and incurable diseases. The new reports are listed in Table 3 with their vernacular names, parts used, therapeutic uses, and modes of administration.

TABLE 3

Scientific nameLocal nameAilmentsNumber of informants citing plantsNumber of citations
Inula helenium L.مطهرCan: 2* breast cancer and legs cancer12
Centaurea acaulis L.سنتوريا او القنطريونCan: 2* breast cancer and legs cancer12
Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pall.الهندقوق إكليل الملكRTD: 1* chest and lung diseases12
GISD: 1* IBS
Lupinus micranthus Guss.الترمز المرESD: 1* diabetes11
الدقيق
Boswellia ameero Balf.f.اللبانRTD: 1* chest and lung diseases11
Carduus nutans L.شوك المحنيHC: 1* alopecia areata11
Quercus faginea Lam.العفصSRP: 1* uterine microbe11
Gentiana acaulis L.كف الذئب او الجنطياناCan: 1* breast cancer and legs cancer11
Digitalis purpurea L.القِمَعية او الدِّيجيتالCVSD: 1* cardiovascular diseases11
Cistanche tubulosa (Schenk) WightذنونGISD: 1* colitis11
Hypecoum procumbens L.جهيرة (الخشخاشية)Can: 1* skin pimples and tumors11
Phyllanthus niruri L.الأَمْلَجCan: 1* cancer12
RTD: 1* cough
Verbascum sinuatum L.مصلح الأنظار أو البوصير أو تيسراوSMSD: 1* osteoarthritis11
Lycium shawii Roem. and Schult.العوسجSD: 2* skin ulcers and leprosy23
RTD: 1* pneumonia
Tamarix aphylla (L.) H.Karst.طحطاحNS: 1* headache11
Ulmus rubra Muhl.الدردارID: 1* laryngitis22
SMSD: 1* moving difficulty
Telephium imperati L.تسمرغينتGH: 1* mouth ulcer12
HSD: 1* anemia
Humulus lupulus L.جنجلHC: 1* alopecia areata and baldness23
GISD: 2* hemorrhoids
Cirsium creticum (Lam.) d'Urv.شوك الرمحGISD: 1* hemorrhoids11

New recorded medicinal plants used by traditional healers in Algeria (West-Kabylia-Sahara).

Surprisingly, 4 out of the 19 new species (Lycium shawii Roem. and Schult, Humulus lupulus L., Crataegus azarolus L., Centaurea acaulis L., and Verbascum sinuatum L.) were highly cited by the informants. V. sinuatum is used to treat gastrointestinal and respiratory tract diseases such as pneumonia, using the decoction method with oral and topical application, respectively. The plant is termed locally “Moslih el-Andar” meaning in the local dialect “tract’s fixer” relating to its effect that repairs the continuous elongated anatomical structure in the body. Similarly, the decoction of L. shawii is used to treat two ailments categories: skin diseases (skin ulcers and leprosy) and skeletomuscular system disorder (osteoarthritis). Nevertheless, these ethnomedicinal uses and their pharmacological properties have not been documented in previous studies.

Furthermore, some species were previously reported to be used for culinary purposes such as Telephium imperati L. called in local dialect as tassarghit/sarghina. The stems of the plant are usually consumed as soup’ spice for postpartum women in Algeria (Sahara and Kabylia region). As reported here, for the first time, it is newly mentioned to be used for medicinal purposes by the local healers treating mouth ulcers and anemia. Moreover, we found that decoction of Quercus faginea Lam. seeds, a popular tree in West Algeria (Alcaraz, 1989), is used to treat sexual-reproductive problems besides the fruits (raw) of Lupinus micranthus Guss., a species widely distributed in Algeria and the Mediterranean countries (Msaddak et al., 2017). On the other hand, our results showed that species such as Phyllanthus niruri L., Hypecoum procumbens L., and Gentiana acaulis L. are used to treat skin diseases and cancer via topical application. These species have not been previously reported to be used as medicinal species in the Mediterranean region.

In the present study, we found that 89% of total species have already been mentioned as medicinal plants. In fact, more than 100 species cited in this survey were reported in previous studies from different regions of Algeria. Besides, we found that, despite having similar therapeutic uses, the species had different vernacular names from a region to another. Interestingly, we report here 47 new therapeutic uses for 20 known plant species. Table 4 shows these new uses compared to those previously reported in the world.

TABLE 4

Botanical namePart usedNew usesPreparation methodsPreviously reported usesReferences
Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.LeavesCan: 2 breast cancer and legs cancerRawBiliary, liver disorders, and degenerative necrosisLahlah et al. (2012)
Jaundice and enlarged spleen
Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.LeavesCan: 2* cancerRawCough, constipation, and menstruation absentLin et al. (2021)
Sd: 1* limb swellingInfusionAl-Fatimi. (2019)
Inula helenium L.CapitulumCan: 2* breast cancer and legs cancerRawHematomas, relief of bruises, joint pains, rheumatism, and gastrointestinal, otolaryngological, and respiratory diseasesTeixidor-Toneu et al. (2016)
Obón et al. (2012)
Calendula arvensis M. Bieb.CapitulumRtd: 1* pneumoniaDecoctionBurns, varicose veins, eczema, fungus, warts, and woundsLievre et al. (1992)
Lavagna et al. (2001)
Artemisia campestris L.LeavesP: 1* scorpion stingRawDigestive troubles, gastric ulcer, and menstrual painsBaba Aissa (1991)
Cichorium intybus L.Aerial part/rootsUsd: 2* cystolithiasis and bladder diseaseDecoctionUrinary tract infections and urolithiasis, digestive problems, kidney diseases, diabetes, and nervous disordersSekkoum et al. (2011)
Decoction and rawMiara et al. (2013)
Gisd: 2* hemorrhoids and liver diseasesRawEl-Hilaly et al. (2003)
DecoctionDaoudi et al. (2016)
Benarba et al. (2015)
Can: 4* breast cancer and legs cancerDecoction
Hsd: 1* spleen diseasesDecoction
Carlina gummifera (L.) Less.Capitulum/leaves/rootsSrp: 2* infertility and uterine problemsDecoctionEpilepsy, psoriasis, ulcers, and hemorrhageBellakhdar (1997)
DecoctionAhid et al. (2012)
Usd: 2* urinary tract infection and bladder diseaseDecoctionHammiche et al. (2013)
Decoction
Smsd: 1* osteoarthritisDecoction
Echinops spinosissimus Turra.Aerial partCan: 1* skin pimples and tumorsDecoctionHypotensive, diuretic, hypoglycemic, for stomachic effects, liver disorders, and postpartum careBouzabata (2013)
Clinopodium nepeta (L.) Kuntze.Aerial partGisd: 1* IBSDecoctionColon ailments, abdominal pain, influenza, heart problems, bee, and insect stingsMattalia et al. (2020)
Esd: 1* diabetesDecoctionÇelik et al. (2021)
Cvsd: 1* cholesterolDecoction
Kd: 1* kidney failureDecoction
Usd: 1* bladder diseaseDecoction
Mentha rotundifolia (L.) Huds.Aerial partGisd: 1* IBSDecoctionMental illnesses, colds, respiratory problems and to protect removal of “curses” and “evil spirits”Arnold and Gulumian (1984)Pooley (2005)
Potentilla erecta (L.) Raeusch.RootsSrp: 1* breast milk outageMacerationWounds, certain forms of cancer, infections, diarrhea, and diabetes mellitusSynowiec et al. (2014)
Rtd: 1* chest and lung diseasesRaw
Gisd: 2* stomach ache and ulcersMaceration
Decoction
Amaranthus spinosus L.Aerial partSrp: 1* infertilityDecoctionInternal bleeding, diarrhea, excessive menstruation, and snake bites. Ulcerated mouths, nosebleeds, and woundsSaravanan (2016)
Menorrhagia, gonorrhea, eczema and colic, fevers, and urinary troubles
Mahonia aquifolium (Pursh) Nutt.Whole plantCan: 2* breast cancer and legs cancerRawSkin diseases, psoriasis, and diabetesGalle et al. (1994)
Missoun et al. (2018)
Boswellia ameero Balf.f.GumRtd: 1* chest and lung diseasesMacerationAntitumor activityShao et al. (1998)
Commiphora myrrha (Nees) Engl.WaxCan: 2* breast cancer and legs cancerRawMouth ulcers, gingivitis, sinusitis, glandular fever, brucellosis, and antiparasitic agentAbdel-Hay et al. (2002)
RawAutoimmune diseases, rheumatic pains, amenorrhea, fever, stomach complaints, gall bladder, nephrosis syndrome, chest ailments, snake and scorpion bites, mouth ulcer, and skin infectionsAbdul-Ghani et al. (2009)
Boual et al. (2020)
El Ashry et al. (2003)
Massoud et al. (2001)
Cymbopogon schoenanthus (L.) Spreng.LeavesCan: 1* skin pimples and tumorsDecoctionTermites and bruchid, digestive diseases, aerophagia, flatulence and urinary decrease, analeptic, bad breath, gumboils, and urinary incontinenceKoba et al. (2007)
Hammiche and Maiza (2006)
Daphne gnidium L.LeavesHc: 1* hair lossRawConstipation and toothache, wounds, hair lice or ticks in animals hair washing and as hair tonicAllal et al. (2019)
Rtd: 1* sinusitisSteaming
Cistanche tubulosa (Schenk) WightWhole plantGisd: 1* colitisRawFor blood circulation and impotence, female infertility, lumbago, body weakness, and tonic substanceNamba (1994)
Kobayashi et al. (1987)
Phyllanthus niruri L.LeavesCan: 1* cancerRawHepatoprotective functionsBhattacharjee & Sil (2007)
Rtd: 1* coughDecoction
Tetraena alba (L.f.) Beier and Thulin.Leaves/seedsEsd: 1* diabetesDecoctionDiabetes, intoxication (toukal), gastrointestinal disorders, hypertension, and arteriosclerosisBenali et al. (2017)
Mnafghi et al. (2016)

List of new therapeutic uses recorded in Algeria (West-Kabylia-Sahara).

Informant Consensus Factor and FL

Table 5 shows the 16 ailments categories arranged in descending order based on the FIC values. Cancer had the highest FIC value of 0.49 with 44 species used, such as C. colocynthis, Panax ginseng C.A. Mey., E. alata, Aquilaria malaccensis, Aristolochia longa L., and Taraxacum officinale. On the other hand, we found that sexual-reproductive problems (FIC = 0.46), gastrointestinal system diseases (FIC = 0.44), and skeletomuscular system disorders (FIC = 0.39) were recorded to have the second, third, and fourth highest FIC values, respectively. Respiratory tract diseases were ranked to be the fifth ailment group with an FIC value of 0.36.

TABLE 5

Ailment categoryNurNtFIC
Cancer86440.49
Sexual-reproductive problems70380.46
Gastrointestinal system diseases100560.44
Skeletomuscular system disorder32200.39
Respiratory tract diseases51330.36
Skin diseases42290.32
Urology system diseases26210.20
General health39320.18
Nervous system36300.17
Kidneys diseases980.13
Hair care1180.30
Endocrine system diseases12110.09
Hematological system diseases17160.06
Cardiovascular system diseases18170.06
Poisoning220.00
Infectious diseases220.00

Informant consensus factor for commonly used medicinal.

According to their knowledge and experience, the local healers preferred some species to treat particular diseases. The highest FL values of the commonly used plants are listed in Table 6. Our results indicated that M. vulgare, A. herba-alba, Z. officinale, and J. phoenicia had the absolute FL value of 100% in several ailment categories (SRD, cancer, respiratory diseases, and GISD).

TABLE 6

Ailment categorySpeciesFL (100 (%)
KDCichorium alatum Hochst. and Steud.100
Artemisia herba-alba Asso.50
Parietaria officinalis L.100
GISDMarrubium vulgare L.100
Zingiber officinale Roscoe100
Juniperus Phoenicea L.100
Artemisia herba-alba Asso.100
Matricaria chamomilla L.80
Punica granatum L.67
Rhamnus alaternus L.67
Curcuma longa L.67
SDThymus vulgaris L.100
Origanum majorana L.50
Eruca sativa L.50
CanCarum carvi L.50
Thapsia garganica L.33
Marrubium vulgare L.100
Zingiber officinale Roscoe100
Juniperus phoenicea L.100
Artemisia herba-alba Asso.100
Matricaria chamomilla L.40
Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Desf.50
ESDPimpinella anisum L.17
Saccocalyx satureioides Coss. and Durieu.100
RTDMarrubium vulgare L.100
Zingiber officinale Roscoe100
Glycyrrhiza glabra L.67
Juniperus phoenicea L.100
Artemisia herba-alba Asso.100
Pinus maritima L.50
Calendula arvensis M.Bieb.50
SMSDEchinops spinosissimus Turra.67
Tussilago farfara L.100
Echinops ritro L.100
CVSDMyrtus nivellei Batt. and Trab.51
Crataegus azarolus L.50
GHNicotiana tabacum L.50
Pistacia lentiscus L.53
Carthamus tinctorius L.50
HCCarduus nutans L.100
Daphne gnidium L.69
NSCrocus sativus L.53
Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.67
SRPAsarum europaeum L.100
Hyacinthus orientalis L.80
Marrubium vulgare L.100
Zingiber officinale Roscoe100
Juniperus phoenicea L.100
Artemisia herba-alba Asso.100
IDUlmus rubra Muhl.50
PArtemisia campestris L.100
HSDCichorium alatum Hochst. and Steud.100
Salvia hispanica L.100
Vitis vinifera L.50
Rubia tinctorum L.33
USDUrtica dioica L.34
Nitraria retusa (Forssk.) Asch.50

FL of commonly used medicinal plants.

Discussion

Botanical Diversity, Parts Used, Modes of Preparation, and Administration

In the present study, we recorded 167 species belonging to 70 families with a dominance of Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, Apiaceae, Rosaceae, and Fabaceae. Our findings agreed with those we previously reported. Indeed, in Mascara (North-West Algeria), most of the medicinal species used by local healers belonged to these five families (Benarba, 2015). Similar findings were reported in Algeria (Miara et al., 2018; Taibi et al., 2020), Morocco (Barkaoui et al., 2017; Skalli et al., 2019), and Italy (Tuttolomondo et al., 2014). It has been suggested that plants belonging to these families are mainly used by local populations in Africa owing to their pharmacological effects offering a cheap therapeutic alternative (Sawadogo et al., 2012). Furthermore, leaves, aerial parts, and seeds were the most frequently used parts by local healers. Our results confirm the dominance of leaves as the most common used important plants’ part used in local phytotherapy as has been demonstrated in Algeria (Benarba, 2015; Benarba, 2016; Bouasla and Bouasla 2017; Miara et al., 2018; Taibi et al., 2020) and neighboring countries such as Mauritania (Yebouk et al., 2020), Morocco (Barkaoui et al., 2017; Skalli et al., 2019), or Italy (Leto et al., 2013). The dominance of leaves in most of the ethnobotanical studies could be explained by their ease collecting and abundance besides the fact that they are considered the site of photosynthesis and therefore of bioactive molecules.

Our results showed that the traditional healers used different preparation methods, including decoction, infusion, paste, or maceration. Decoction was found to be the preferred method. Similar results were found in previous ethnobotanical studies (Benarba, 2015; Merrouni and Elachouri, 2020). In fact, decoction and infusion were found to be the most used in the recent ethnobotanical studies in Algeria (Benarba et al., 2015; Benarba, 2016; Mechaala et al., 2021; Zatout et al., 2021) and neighboring countries such as Tunisia, Egypt, Spain, and Italy in Africa and in Europe (Giday et al., 2009; Benitez et al., 2010; Amri and Kisangau, 2012; Menale et al., 2016; Savić et al., 2019). The dominance of decoction or infusion could be explained by the disinfection potential of heating besides its extraction enhancing effects (Benarba, 2015).

We also found that oral ingestion was the most frequently used mode of administration, followed by external application, steam, and nasal inhalation. Our findings are consistent with those we previously reported in South-West Algeria (Benarba, 2016), North-West Algeria (Benarba, 2015), and Extreme-West Algeria (Tlemcen) (Zatout et al., 2021). Likewise, oral and topical applications were found to be the most frequently used administration methods used by local healers or populations in other regions in Algeria (Hammiche and Maiza, 2006; Boudjelal et al., 2013; Sarri et al., 2014; Miara et al., 2018) and neighboring countries (Mrabti et al., 2019; Fakchich and Elachouri, 2014; Benitez et al., 2010). In this same line, oral and topical administrations are frequently used in traditional medicine. The choice of administration routes is based on the pharmacological effect of each species, the therapy target, duration, and the limitation of treatment to a precise area (Sargin et al., 2015; Benarba, 2016).

The traditional healers in the study areas reported that 64% of medicinal species were mixed with other medicinal plants, whereas 43% of herbal mixtures were prepared by adding different adjuvants with a dominance of honey, olive oil, animal fat, or vinegar. In concordance with our findings, several ethnobotanical investigations carried out in Algeria demonstrated that honey was the adjuvant most frequently added to prepare medicinal herbal mixtures (Benarba, 2016; Ouelbani et al., 2016; Zatout et al., 2021). Our findings are also in perfect consistency with those reported in other regions around the world (Yabesh et al., 2014; Amri and Kisangau, 2012; Pranskuniene et al., 2016). These ingredients could enhance the plant effect, maintain the blend texture, and facilitate the treatment administration. To the best of our knowledge, some adjuvants were not previously mentioned, such as tar and litharge.

New Reports and New Uses

In the present study, 11% of the recorded 167 species have not been previously reported as medicinal plants in Algeria and neighboring countries in the Mediterranean basin. Moreover, more than 100 species reported here were previously reported to be used for therapeutic purposes in North-West (Benarba, 2015), South-West (Benarba, 2016), and North-East Algeria (Boual et al., 2020). Although each species had mostly the same therapeutic uses, for example, A. herba-alba, Punica granatum L., and Senna alexandrina Mill. were used mainly to treat gastrointestinal disorders, their vernacular names differed from one region to another such as Aquilaria malaccensis Lam. called Oud El-Rih in the West and A-ghriss in Sahara. These findings are in agreement with those reported in Algeria (Benarba, 2015; Bouasla and Bouasla, 2017), Morocco (Chaachouay et al., 2020; Merrouni and Elachouri, 2020; Yebouk et al., 2020), and other countries such as Yamen, Turkey, India, and China (Prabhu et al., 2014; Polat, 2019).

Interestingly, our findings report 47 new therapeutic uses for 20 known plant species. In the present study, we found that local populations living in the study areas used Carlina gummifera (L.) Less. to treat infertility, uterine problems, urinary tract infection, bladder disease, and osteoarthritis, whereas the plant uses previously reported included epilepsy, psoriasis, ulcers, and hemorrhage (Ahid et al., 2012; Hammiche et al., 2013). Likewise, leaves of Cymbopogon schoenanthus (L.) Spreng. were found to be used in the treatment of several types of cancer in the study areas. This use is reported for the first time since the plant was previously reported to be used mainly to treat termites and bruchid (Koba et al., 2007). Prunus persica, usually used against cough, constipation, and menstruation absent (Lin et al., 2021; Al-Fatimi., 2019), was reported by local populations to treat skin diseases.

Informant Consensus Factor and FL

Regarding the informant consensus factor, the highest FIC value was recorded for cancer (FIC = 0.49) with 44 medicinal species used. This is the first study carried out in the three regions (West, Sahara, and Kabylia) of Algeria at the same time, calculating the informant consensus factor (FIC). Our results revealed that cancer seems to be one of the most prevalent diseases in the study areas since no previous investigations had found cancer as the first ailment category according to their FIC values. In fact, cancer has become a public health issue due to an increasing incidence, with 19.3 million new cases and about 10.0 million deaths worldwide in 2020 (Ferlay et al., 2021). Likewise, cancer incidence is increasing in Algeria. Actually, Algeria has the highest incidence of gastric (6%) (Behar et al., 2021) and liver cancer (Benarba and Meddah, 2014) when compared to North African countries. Moreover, breast and thyroid cancer incidence rose significantly in the last two decades (Mehemmai et al., 2020; Halfaoui et al., 2021). This pattern may be attributed to several causes, such as a westernized lifestyle, contaminated foods, pollution, and deteriorated living conditions. Furthermore, sexual-reproductive problems, gastrointestinal system diseases, skeletomuscular system disorders, and respiratory tract diseases were recorded to have higher FIC values. In a previous study carried out in North-West Algeria, we found that gastrointestinal diseases had the highest FIC value of 0.658, followed by general health (FIC = 0.645) and respiratory diseases (0.642), while the cancer category was recorded to be the 4th highest (FIC = 0.524) (Benarba et al., 2015). Moreover, a recent study carried out in the extreme North-West of Algeria reported that the reproductive and sexual disorders FIC value were the highest score (0.98), and for the cancer category, they had an FIC value of 0.77 with 6 species (Zatout et al., 2021). In disagreement with our findings, Bouasla and Bouasla (2017) indicated that cancer (FIC = 0.25) was the least known ailment to be treated in the traditional medicine of the local population in North-East Algeria.

According to our results, M. vulgare, A. herba-alba, Z. officinale, and J. phoenicia had the absolute FL value of 100% in several ailment categories (SRD, cancer, respiratory diseases, and GISD). These findings are in agreement with those previously reported in different neighboring regions (Benarba et al., 2015; Bouasla and Bouasla, 2017; Chaachouay et al., 2020). Besides these species, Parietaria officinalis L. was found to possess an FL of 100% for kidney diseases which is consistent with findings previously reported in North-West Algeria (Benarba, 2016) and Morocco (Ammor et al., 2020). Inconsistent with our previous findings in both North-West (Benarba et al., 2015) and South-West Algeria (Benarba, 2016), T. vulgaris was the only species having the highest FL of 100% for skin diseases. This could be attributed to its antifungal and antimicrobial potentials demonstrated against the main pathogens causing skin diseases (Tadele et al., 2009; Vinciguerra et al., 2019). Recently, a facial phytocosmetic preparation from T. vulgaris was found to possess promising antiskin aging effects, as shown by enhanced adipogenesis through upregulation of PPAR-γ expression (Caverzan et al., 2021).

Conclusion

This is the first study carried out in three regions in Algeria (North, Center, and South) revealing an important botanical diversity and ethnobotanical knowledge held by local populations. The ethnobotanical survey allowed us to document 167 medicinal plants belonging to 70 families with their indigenous therapeutic uses (Table 7). Furthermore, 47 therapeutic uses for 20 known plant species were newly recorded, besides 25 species reported for the first time as medicinal plants in this study. On the other hand, A. sativum, T. foenum-graecum, Z. officinale, R. chalepensis, A. herba-alba, P. anisum, M. chamomilla, O. basilicum, and T. vulgaris had the highest UV. Moreover, some species had the absolute FL value of 100% in several ailment categories such as M. vulgare. These species could be further investigated to explore their curative proprieties and identify the possible active compounds.

TABLE 7

FamilyScientific name (voucher number)Local namePart usedAilmentsPreparation methodsAdministration
AmaranthaceaeAmaranthus spinosus L. (LRSBG/AB/20/067)القُطَيفة سالف العروسAerial partSRP: 1* infertilityDecoctionOral/topical
Haloxylon salicornicum (Moq.) Bunge ex Boiss. (LRSBG/AB/20/068)رمث الاحمر او تاسّايتLeavesCan: 1* cancerRawOral
P: 1* poisoningDecoctionOral
Atriplex halimus L. (LRSBG/AB/20/069)القطف او السرمق ،الملوخLeavesCan: 3* uterine cysts and tumorsDecoctionOral
Breast cysts and tumorsDecoctionOral
CancerMacerationOral
AmaryllidaceaeAllium sativum L. (LRSBG/AB/20/072)الثومBulbRTD: 5* asthmaDecoctionTopical
Chest and lung diseasesDecoctionTopical
CoughRawTopical
Nasal-lung inflammationMaceration/decoctionTopical/oral
Oral
SRP: 2* infertilityDecoctionInhalation
GH: 2* tonsillitisDecoctionTopical
Earache and deafnessDecoctionTopical
GISD: 2* jaundice/icterusRawTopical
Liver diseasesRawTopical
HC: 1* alopecia areataFryingTopical
SD: 1* boilsFryingTopical
Can: 1* skin pimples and tumorsDecoctionOral
Allium cepa L. (LRSBG/AB/20/073)بصلBulbSRP: 3* infertility + uterine problemsDecoctionTopical
Topical
DecoctionTopical
SD: 2* boils and head ulcersFryingTopical
FryingTopical
Can: 1* skin pimples and tumorsRawTopical
GISD: 1* jaundice/icterusRawTopical
AnacardiaceaePistacia lentiscus L. (LRSBG/AB/20/123)المَصطَكى أو المستكة او الضروLeaves/waxRTD: 1* pulmonary-breathing problemRawOral
GISD: 4* heartburnDecoctionOral
stomach acheDecoctionOral
DiarrheaDecoction/rawOral
GH: 2* mouth ulcerDecoctionOral
Earache and deafnessDecoctionTopical
ApiaceaeFerula assa-foetida L. (LRSBG/AB/20/145)الكَلَخ او الحِلْتِيتWhole plantGH: 2* tonsillitisInfusion/rawTopical
Raw/decoctionOral/topical
Cuminum cyminum L. (LRSBG/AB/20/001)الكمونSeedsSMSD: 1* arthritisInfusionTopical/oral
SRP: 2* infertilityRaw/decoctionTopical
GISD: 2* stomach acheMacerationOral
Jaundice/icterusDecoctionOral
Ammoides pusilla (Brot.) Breistr. (LRSBG/AB/20/002)النوخة أو النانخةAerial partGH: 1* feverDecoctionOral/topical
HSD: 1* jaundice/icterusDecoctionOral
Pimpinella anisum L. (LRSBG/AB/20/003)حبة الحلاوة أو اليانسونFruitsESD: 1* diabetesDecoctionOral
CVSD: 1* cholesterolDecoctionOral
KD: 1* kidney failureDecoctionOral
USD: 1* bladder diseaseDecoctionOral
RTD: 1* asthmaDecoctionTopical
GISD: 1* stomach acheMacerationOral
NS: 1* insomniaDecoctionOral
SD: 1* skin diseaseInfusionTopical
SMSD: 2* arthritisInfusionOral/topical
SRP: 1* infertilityDecoctionTopical
Coriandrum sativum L. (LRSBG/AB/20/004)القزبر أو الكُـزْبـَرَةAerial partSD: 2* limb swellingInfusionTopical
RTD: 1* chest and lung diseasesInfusionTopical
Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (LRSBG/AB/20/005)البسباسSeedsGISD: 3* IBSInfusionOral
stomach acheMacerationOral
FlatulenceDecoctionOral
NS: 1* headacheInfusionOral
Bunium mauritanicum L. (LRSBG/AB/20/006)تالغودة او آ أكثارRoots/seedsESD: 1* goiterRawOral
Carum carvi L. (LRSBG/AB/20/007)كروياSeedsCan: 1* early stage cancerDecoctionRaw
GISD: 1* stomach acheMacerationOral
GH: 1* anxiety disorders and hypochondriaRawTopical
SMSD: 1* bones painRawOral
Apium graveolens L. (LRSBG/AB/20/008)الكرفسLeavesSMSD: 2* osteoarthritisDecoctionOral/topical
Thapsia garganica L. (LRSBG/AB/20/009)درياس أو بونافعAerial partRTD: 2* chest and lung diseasesMaceration/fryingTopical/oral
Can: 1* lung tumorsRawTopical
Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Fuss. (LRSBG/AB/20/010)البقدونس أو المعدَنوسAerial partKD: 1* urolithiasisDecoctionOral
GH: 1* mouth ulcerDecoctionOral
ApocynaceaeNerium oleander L. (LRSBG/AB/20/109)الدفلةLeavesGH: 1* mouth ulcerDecoctionTopical
Can: 1* skin pimples and tumorsBurnedTopical
SD: 3* chalazionDecoctionTopical
Tinea capitis and scalp ringwormRawTopical
UrticariaMacerationTopical
AraliaceaePanax ginseng C.A.Mey. (LRSBG/AB/20/124)الجنسنغ أو الجنسةAerial partCan: 1* stomach cancerMacerationOral
SRP: 1* infertilityRawOral
GISD: 1* liver diseasesDecoctionOral
HSD: 1* spleen diseasesDecoctionOral
AristolochiaceaeAsarum europaeum L. (LRSBG/AB/20/096)أسارونLeavesSRP: 1* uterine microbe and infectionsDecoctionOral
Aristolochia longa L. (LRSBG/AB/20/097)برسطم—برزطمStalkHC: 1* baldnessRawTopical
Can: 3* breast cancerRawTopical
Legs cancerRawTopical
CancerRawOral
AsparagaceaeHyacinthus orientalis L. (LRSBG/AB/20/098)الخُزَامَىFlowersSRP: 4* infertilityRaw/decoctionTopical
Uterine problemsDecoctionTopical
USD: 2* urinary tract infection/inflammationDecoctionOral
Bladder diseaseMacerationOral
GH: 1* feverDecoctionOral/topical
Drimia maritima (L.) Stearn. (LRSBG/AB/20/099)البَصَل البَرِّيّ أو بصل الحلوفBulbSRP: 2* infertilityDecoctionTopical
Uterine problemsDecoctionTopical
HC: 1* alopecia areataDecoctionTopical
AsteraceaeCynara scolymus L. (LRSBG/AB/20/156)العسلوج او ساق الخرشوفStalkGISD: 1* hemorrhoidsDecoctionOral
Arctium atlanticum (Pomel) H.Lindb. (LRSBG/AB/20/119)الأرقطيونLeaves/capitulumSD: 1* boilsFryingTopical
Can: 1* skin pimples and tumorsFryingTopical
Cirsium creticum (Lam.) d'Urv. (LRSBG/AB/20/160)GISD: 1* hemorrhoidsDecoctionTopical/oral
Carthamus tinctorius L. (LRSBG/AB/20/011)العُصْفُر أو الجُرْجُومCapitulumGH: 1* anxiety disorders and hypochondriaRawOral/topical
Dittrichia viscosa (L.) GreuterمقرمانAerial partSD: 2* festering woundsMaceration/rawOral/topical
(LRSBG/AB/20/012)Skin diseasesMacerationTopical
Tussilago farfara L. (LRSBG/AB/20/013)حشيشة السعال أو تافيفراAerial partSMSD: 2* osteoarthritisDecoctionOral/topical
Echinops ritro L. (LRSBG/AB/20/014)تاسكرا أو الشوك الأزرق ، و أبونقارAerial partSMSD: 2* osteoarthritisDecoctionOral/topical
Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipsch. (LRSBG/AB/20/015)القسط الهنديRootsSRP: 1* infertilityInfusionTopical
Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. (LRSBG/AB/20/016)الخرفيشLeavesCan: 2* breast cancerRawTopical
Legs cancer
Centaurea acaulis L. (LRSBG/AB/20/017)سنتوريا او القنطريونAerial partCan: 4* breast cancerRawTopical
Legs cancer
Can: 4* tumors and skin pimples
Inula helenium L. (LRSBG/AB/20/018)المطهرCapitulumCan: 2* breast cancerRawTopical
Legs cancer
Calendula arvensis M.Bieb. (LRSBG/AB/20/019)عين البقرCapitulumRTD: 1* pneumoniaDecoctionOral
Artemisia campestris L. (LRSBG/AB/20/020)التگوفتLeavesP: 1* scorpion stingRawTopical
Anacyclus valentinus L. (LRSBG/AB/20/021)القرطوفةAerial partHSD: 1* anemiaDecoctionOral
Taraxacum officinale (L.) Weber ex F.H.Wigg. (LRSBG/AB/20/022)هِنْدَبَاءُ البَرِ، اليعصيبAerial partCan: 2* breast cancerRawTopical
Legs cancer
Anacyclus pyrethrum (L.) Lag. (LRSBG/AB/20/023)تيقنطيست أوعاقر قرحاLeavesRTD: 1* pulmonary-breathing problemRawTopical
SRP: 1 infertilityRawOral
SMSD: 2* arthritisMacerationTopical and oral
Cichorium alatum Hochst. and Steud. (LRSBG/AB/20/024)تمرزوق. العلتAerial part/rootsUSD: 2* cystolithiasisDecoctionOral
Bladder diseaseDecoctionOral
GISD: 2* hemorrhoids liver diseasesRawTopical
RawTopical
Can: 4* breast cancerDecoctionOral
Legs cancerDecoctionOral
KD: 1* urolithiasisDecoctionOral
HSD: 1* spleen diseasesDecoctionOral
Matricaria chamomilla L. (LRSBG/AB/20/025)البابونجCapitulumGISD: 4* liver diseasesDecoctionOral
IBS stomach acheDecoctionOral
HeartburnRawTopical
RawTopical
HSD: 1* spleen diseasesRawTopical
SD: 1* skin ulcersDecoctionOral
Can: 2* breast cancerDecoctionOral
Legs cancerDecoctionOral
USD: 2* urinary tract infection/inflammationDecoctionOral
Bladder diseasesInfusionOral
NS: 1* insomniaInfusionOral
Carlina gummifera (L.) Less. (LRSBG/AB/20/026)الأدادCapitulum leaves/rootsSRP: 2* infertilityDecoctionTopical
Uterine problemsDecoctionTopical
USD: 2* urinary tract infection and bladder diseaseDecoctionTopical
DecoctionTopical
SMSD: 1* osteoarthritisDecoctionOral/topical
Echinops spinosissimus Turra (LRSBG/AB/20/027)شوك الجملAerial partCan: 1* skin pimples and tumorsDecoctionOral
Artemisia herba-alba Asso. (LRSBG/AB/20/028)الشيحAerial partGH: 1* tonsillitisInfusionTopical
Can: 2* skin cancerRawTopical
Breast cancerMacerationOral
ESD: 2* diabetesDecoctionOral
CVSD: 1* cholesterolDecoctionOral
KD: 1* kidney failureDecoctionOral
USD: 1* bladder diseaseDecoctionTopical
RTD: * asthmaDecoctionTopical/oral
GISD: 2* IBS and liver diseasesDecoctionTopical
SRP: 2* infertility and uterine problemsDecoctionTopical
Carduus nutans L. (LRSBG/AB/20/104)شوك المحنيCapitulumHC: 1* alopecia areataRawTopical
BerberidaceaeBerberis vulgaris L. (LRSBG/AB/20/070)عود الريحRoots/barkSRP: 1* infertilityDecoctionTopical
Mahonia aquifolium (Pursh) Nutt. (LRSBG/AB/20/071)اريغونWhole plantCan: 2* breast cancer and legs cancerRawTopical
BetulaceaeBetula pendula Roth (LRSBG/AB/20/149)عصير الشجر (الباتولية)BarkGISD: 1* ulcersInfusionOral
BoraginaceaeBorago officinalis L. (LRSBG/AB/20/165)عشبة الثورAerial partSRP: 1* infertilityDecoctionOral
BrassicaceaeArmoracia rusticana P.Gaertn., B.Mey. and Scherb. (LRSBG/AB/20/085)فجل العود او الخيلAerial partGH: 2* mouth ulcerDecoctionTopical
HalitosisDecoctionTopical
Sinapis arvensis L. (LRSBG/AB/20/086)الخردلSeedsRTD: 1* chest and lung diseasesDecoctionInhalation
Eruca sativa Mill. (LRSBG/AB/20/087)الكثأ أو الجرجيرAerial partSD: 1* boilsFryingTopical
Can: 1* skin pimples and tumorsFryingTopical
Lepidium sativum L. (LRSBG/AB/20/088)حب الرشاد أو الحبة الحمراء الحرفSeedsSRP: 1* breast milk outageMacerationOral
RTD: 1* chest and lung diseasesRawOral
Can: 1* cancerRawOral
GISD: 2* colitisRawOral
FlatulenceRawOral
Anastatica hierochuntica L. (LRSBG/AB/20/154)عشبة مريمLeavesGISD: 1* gastrointestinal diseasesDecoctionOral
BurseraceaeBoswellia ameero Balf.f. (LRSBG/AB/20/074)اللبانResinRTD: 1* chest and lung diseasesMacerationTopical
Commiphora myrrha (Nees) Engl. (LRSBG/AB/20/075)المرWaxCan: 2* breast cancerRawTopical
Legs cancerRawTopical
CactaceaeOpuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. (LRSBG/AB/20/126)التين الشوكي الكرموسLeavesGISD: 1* liver diseasesMacerationOral
NS: 2* headache and dizzinessDecoctionOral
CannabaceaeHumulus lupulus L. (LRSBG/AB/20/153)جنجلLeavesHC: 3* alopecia areataRawTopical
Baldness
NS: 1* headacheRawTopical
GISD: 2* hemorrhoidsRawTopical
ID: 2* mouth and ears infectionsRawTopical
CucurbitaceaeCucurbita maxima Duchesne (LRSBG/AB/20/100)القرع البلديSeedsNS: 1* migraineDecoctionInhalation
Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad (LRSBG/AB/20/101)الحنظلFruitsSD: 1* skin ulcers and leprosyDecoctionOral
GISD: 1* constipationDecoctionOral
Can: skin cancerMacerationOral/topical
CupressaceaeJuniperus foetidissima Willd. (LRSBG/AB/20/089)العَرعَرAerial partGISD: 5* IBS and stomach acheDecoctionOral
HeartburnDecoctionOral
DecoctionOral
RTD: 2* chest and lung diseasesRawOral
Can: 5* breast cancerRawTopical
Legs cancerRawTopical
SD: 1* urticariaMacerationTopical
SRP: 5* infertilityDecoctionTopical
Cupressus sempervirens L. (LRSBG/AB/20/090)السروLeavesUSD: 1* bladder diseaseDecoctionOral
SMSD: 1* arthritisInfusionTopical
CyperaceaeCyperus esculentus L. (LRSBG/AB/20/111)حب عزيزSeedsHSD: 1* anemiaInfusionOral
EphedraceaeEphedra alata Decne. (LRSBG/AB/20/127)العلندىAerial partCan: 1* breast cysts and breast tumorsRawTopical
EquisetaceaeEquisetum arvense L. (LRSBG/AB/20/128)ذيل الحصان ، وذنب الخيلAerial partSMSD: 1* arthritisDecoctionOral
FabaceaeCeratonia siliqua L. (LRSBG/AB/20/162)الخَرّوبSeedsGISD: 1* gastrointestinal diseasesRawOral
Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (LRSBG/AB/20/029)العرقسوسRootsRTD: 2* coughDecoctionOral
Lung filtering/smokerInfusionOral
HSD: 1* spleen diseasesDecoctionOral
NS: 1* head problemsDecoctionOral
PsychosisRawTopical
Senna alexandrina Mill. (LRSBG/AB/20/030)السنامكيLeavesSD: 1* skin diseasesMacerationTopical
GISD: 4* colitisInfusion/decoctionOral
Flatulence
IBS
Constipation
NS: 1* head problemsDecoctionTopical
PsychosisOral
Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. (LRSBG/AB/20/031)الصمغ العربيGumSD: 1* lichenInfusionTopical
Acacia gummifera Willd. (LRSBG/AB/20/032)أُمّ غَيْلاَنLeavesCan: 3* cancer, stomach cancer, and liver cancerDecoctionOral
GH: 1* incurable diseasesDecoctionOral
Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (LRSBG/AB/20/033)الحُلْبَةSeedsHSD: 1* anemiaMacerationOral
Can: 5* breast cancerRawTopical
Legs cancerRawTopical
CancerRawTopical
Skin pimplesMacerationOral
TumorsRawOral
SMSD: 2* fracture back painRawTopical
GISD: 1* stomach acheRawOral
RTD: 1* chest and lung diseasesDecoction/rawOral/topical
SRP: 2* infertilityInfusionTopical
GH: 1* anxiety disorders and hypochondriaRawTopical
Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pall. (LRSBG/AB/20/034)الهندقوق إكليل الملكAerial partRTD: 1* chest and lung diseasesInfusionTopical
GISD: 1* IBSDecoctionOral
Lupinus micranthus Guss. (LRSBG/AB/20/035)الترمز المرFruitsSRP: 1* infertilityRawOral
الدقيق
FagaceaeQuercus faginea Lam. (LRSBG/AB/20/110)العفصSeedsSRP: 1* uterine microbeDecoctionTopical/oral
GentianaceaeGentiana acaulis L. (LRSBG/AB/20/112)كف الذئب او الجنطياناLeaves/flowersCan: 1* breast cancerRawTopical
Legs cancer
IridaceaeCrocus sativus L. (LRSBG/AB/20/113)الزعفرانStamenSD: 1* albinismRawTopical
NS: 1* headacheRawTopical
JuglandaceaeJuglans regia L. (LRSBG/AB/20/159)الديرمAerial part/parkGISD: 1* gallstonesDecoctionOral
LamiaceaeLavandula angustifolia Mill. (LRSBG/AB/20/163)ضرم الحارAerial partsGISD: 1* hemorrhoidsRawTopical
Mentha pulegium L. (LRSBG/AB/20/036)النَّعْنَاعُ الأُورُوبِيُّ او الفليوAerial partRTD: 1* chest and lung diseasesDecoctionOral
USD: 1* urinary tract infection/inflammationDecoctionOral
SRP: 1* infertilityDecoctionOral/topical
NS: 1* insomniaDecoctionOral
Saccocalyx satureioides Coss. and Durieu (LRSBG/AB/20/037)يزير البلLeavesGISD: 1* stomach acheDecoctionOral
ESD: 2* diabetesInfusionOral
Thymus capitatus (L.) Hoffmanns. and Link. (LRSBG/AB/20/038)صعتر أو الزعترAerial partSD: 1* burnsFryingTopical
Mentha arvensis L. (LRSBG/AB/20/039)النَّعْنَاُعAerial partCVSD: 1* cardiovascular diseasesRawOral
SRP: 1* infertilityRawTopical
RTD: 1* chest and lung diseasesRawOral
GISD: 1* IBSDecoctionOral
GH: 1* anxiety disorders and hypochondriaRawOral
NS: 2* head problemsRawOral
Psychosis insomniaDecoctionOral
Ocimum basilicum L. (LRSBG/AB/20/040)الريحانLeavesSRP: 4* infertilityRaw/decoctionTopical
Uterine problemsDecoctionTopical
GISD: 1* IBSDecoctionOral
USD: 2* urinary tract infection/inflammationDecoctionOral
Bladder diseaseInfusionOral
GH: 2* feverDecoctionOral/topical
NS: 1* dizzinessMacerationTopical
CVSD: 1* hypertensionInfusionTopical
Melissa officinalis L. (LRSBG/AB/20/041)مليساLeavesNS: 1* insomniaDecoctionOral
Rosmarinus officinalis L. (LRSBG/AB/20/042)إكليل الجبلAerial partCVSD: 1* cholesterolDecoctionOral
GISD: 2* IBS jaundice/icterusDecoctionOral
InfusionOral
Origanum majorana L. (LRSBG/AB/20/043)المَرْدَقُوشُAerial partSD: 1* limb swellingMacerationTopical
Clinopodium nepeta (L.) Kuntze. (LRSBG/AB/20/044)النَّابِطَة أو الفُوذَنْج الجَبَلِيّAerial partGISD: 1* IBSDecoctionOral
ESD: 1* diabetesDecoctionOral
CVSD: 1* cholesterolDecoctionOral
KD: 1* kidney failureDecoctionOral
USD: 1* bladder diseaseDecoctionOral
Lavandula stoechas L. (LRSBG/AB/20/045)الحلحال أو أسنان داودAerial partESD: 1* diabetesDecoctionOral
CVSD: 1* cholesterolDecoctionOral
KD: 1* kidney failureDecoctionOral
USD: 1* bladder diseasesDecoctionOral
HSD: 1* blood purifyDecoctionOral
Thymus vulgaris L. (LRSBG/AB/20/046)الزعتر البريAerial partGISD: 1* IBS jaundice/icterusDecoctionOral
Decoction/rawTopical
SRP: 2* infertilityRawTopical
HC: 1* baldnessRawTopical
Can: 1* breast cancer legs cancerRawTopical
USD: 1* urinary tract infectionDecoctionOral
GH: 1* feverDecoctionOral/topical
SD: 4* skin diseases and ulcerDecoctionTopical
InfusionOral
Salvia officinalis L. (LRSBG/AB/20/047)المَرِيمِيَّةُ او القصعين المخزنيLeavesCVSD: 1* cholesterolDecoctionOral
Salvia hispanica L. (LRSBG/AB/20/048)بذور شياSeedsHSD: 1* anemiaRawOral
Teucrium spinosum L. (LRSBG/AB/20/049)الجَعْدَةُAerial partHSD: 1* blood purifyMacerationOral
GISD: 1* ulcersRawTopical
CVSD: 1* diabetesDecoctionOral
RTD: 1* chest and lung diseasesRawTopical
Mentha aquatica L. (LRSBG/AB/20/050)حبق الماءAerial partGH: 1* anxiety disorders and hypochondriaRawOral
Marrubium vulgare L. (LRSBG/AB/20/051)المريوتAerial partCan: 3* skin pimples and tumorsRawTopical
Skin cancerRawTopical
Breast cancerDecoction/rawTopical/oral
SRP: 4* infertilityDecoctionTopical
Uterine problemsDecoctionTopical
RTD: 1* pulmonary-Breathing problemFrying/decoctioninhalation/topical
Vitex agnus-castus L. (LRSBG/AB/20/052)كف مريمLeavesCan: 3* breast tumorDecoctionOral
Uterus tumorDecoctionOral
Gum tumorDecoctionOral
NS: 1* sciaticaRawOral
Ajuga iva (L.) Schreb. (LRSBG/AB/20/053)الشندقورةLeavesCVSD: 1* cholesterolInfusionOral
Teucrium polium L. (LRSBG/AB/20/054)خياطة الجراحAerial partGISD: 1* ulcersRawOral
Mentha rotundifolia (L.) HudsتيمرصادAerial partGISD: 1* IBSDecoctionOral
(LRSBG/AB/20/055)
LauraceaeCinnamomum camphora (L.) J.Presl. (LRSBG/AB/20/076)الكافورWaxNS: 1* migraineInfusionTopical
Cinnamomum verum J.Presl (LRSBG/AB/20/077)قرفةBarkNS: 2* migraineRawOral/topical
USD: 1* urinary tract infection/inflammationDecoctionOral
Laurus nobilis L. (LRSBG/AB/20/078)الرندLeavesGISD: 1* ulcersDecoctionOral
LinaceaeLinum usitatissimum L. (LRSBG/AB/20/130)زريعة الكتانSeedsGISD: 1* IBSDecoctionOral
RTD: 1* chest and lung diseasesMacerationTopical
ESD: 1* goiterRawOral
GH: 1* hoarseness and sore throatRawOral
Can: 1* Skin pimples and tumorsDecoctionTopical
LythraceaeLawsonia inermis L. (LRSBG/AB/20/079)الحناءLeavesCan: 1* Skin pimples and tumorsDecoctionTopical
SMSD: 1* fractureRawTopical
SD: 3* urticariaMacerationTopical
WartsBurnedTopical
Head ulcersRawTopical
GH: 1* anxiety disorders and hypochondriaRawTopical
MalvaceaeHibiscus sabdariffa L. (LRSBG/AB/20/131)كركدية. او الورد الحرFlowersCVSD: 1* hypertensionInfusionOral
MoraceaeFicus carica L. (LRSBG/AB/20/155)التينFruitsRTD: 2* chest and lung diseasesDecoctionOral
Cough
GISD: 3* jaundice/icterus liver diseasesRaw/infusionOral
MacerationOral
MoringaceaeMoringa oleifera Lam. (LRSBG/AB/20/132)المورينجا. او عشبة الحياةWhole plantGH: 1* incurable diseasesDecoctionOral
GISD: 1* IBSInfusionOral
MyristicaceaeMyristica fragrans Houtt. (LRSBG/AB/20/114)جَوزة الطَيبSeedsNS: 1* head problemsRawTopical
Psychosis
MyrtaceaeMyrtus communis L. (LRSBG/AB/20/151)القمامLeavesRTD: 2* chest and lung diseasesInfusionTopical
Myrtus nivellei Batt. and Trab. (LRSBG/AB/20/167)قمام الصحراLeavesCVSD: 1* clogged arteriesDecoctionOral
Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. and L.M.Perry. (LRSBG/AB/20/081)القرنفلFlower budsNS: 1* migraineRawTopical
SRP: 3* infertilityDecoction/rawTopical/oral
RTD: 1* chest and lung diseasesRawOral
USD: 1* urinary tract infection/inflammationDecoctionOral
GH: 1* earache and deafnessDecoctionTopical
SD: 1* skin diseases, ulcerInfusionTopical
Eucalyptus globulus Labill. (LRSBG/AB/20/082)كَالِبتوسLeavesSRP: 1* infertilityDecoctionTopical
NitrariaceaeNitraria retusa (Forssk.) Asch. (LRSBG/AB/20/161)شجرة ليهودLeavesUSD: 1* bladder diseaseInfusionOral
Can: 1* tumorsInfusionOral
Peganum harmala L. (LRSBG/AB/20/133)الحرملSeedsGISD: 1* IBSDecoctionOral
SRP: 1* infertilityRawTopical
RTD: 2* chest and lung diseasesRawOral
Nasal-lung inflammationDecoctionInhalation
GH: 1* feverDecoctionOral
USD: 1* urinary tract infection/inflammationDecoctionOral
OleaceaeOlea oleaster Hoffmanns. and Link (LRSBG/AB/20/094)الزبوجLeavesGH: 1* mouth ulcerDecoctionTopical
Olea europaea L. (LRSBG/AB/20/095)الزيتونLeaves fruitsGH: 1* mouth ulcer and halitosisDecoctionTopical
NS: 1* head problemsRawTopical
Psychosis
OrobanchaceaeCistanche tubulosa (Schenk) Wight. (LRSBG/AB/20/134)ذنونWhole plantGISD: 1* colitisRawOral
PapaveraceaeHypecoum procumbens L. (LRSBG/AB/20/135)جهيرة (الخشخاشية)Aerial partCan: 1* skin pimples and tumorsRawTopical
ParmeliaceaeEvernia prunastri L. (LRSBG/AB/20/158)لحية شيخLichensCan: 1* cancerDecoctionOral
GISD: 1* gastrointestinal diseasesDecoctionOral
NS: 1* epilepsyDecoctioninhalation
ParonychioideaeTelephium imperati L. (LRSBG/AB/20/150)تسمرغينتAerial partGH: 1* mouth ulcerInfusionTopical/oral
HSD: 1* anemia
PedaliaceaeSesamum indicum L. (LRSBG/AB/20/136)السِّمْسِم أو. جلجلانSeedsSRP: 2* infertilityRawOral
Breast milk outageMacerationOral
GH: 1* mouth ulcerDecoctionOral
PhyllanthaceaePhyllanthus niruri L. (LRSBG/AB/20/137)الأَمْلَجLeavesCan: 1* cancerRaw/decoctionOral
RTD: 1* cough
PinaceaePinus maritima Aiton (LRSBG/AB/20/138)الزنينFruitsCan: 2* blood cancerDecoctionOral
Stomach cancerDecoctionOral
Liver cancerDecoctionOral
RTD: 1* chest and lung diseasesMacerationTopical
ESD: 1* goiterRawTopical
GH: 1* hoarseness and sore throatRawTopical
Pinus pinaster Aiton (LRSBG/AB/20/152)تايدة لحاء شجرة الصنوبر البحريBarkGISD: 1* diarrheaRawOral
PiperaceaePiper cubeba Bojer (LRSBG/AB/20/102)الكبابة، حب العروسSeedsSRP: 1* infertilityRawOral
Piper nigrum L. (LRSBG/AB/20/103)الفلفل الأسودSeedsGH: 1* earache and deafnessDecoctionTopical
PlantaginaceaeDigitalis purpurea L. (LRSBG/AB/20/115)القِمَعية او الدِّيجيتالFlowersCVSD: 1* cardiovascular diseasesRawOral
PoaceaeCymbopogon schoenanthus (L.) Spreng. (LRSBG/AB/20/091)الإذخر أو الليمونيةLeavesCan: 1* skin pimples and tumorsDecoctionTopical
Stipa tenacissima L. (LRSBG/AB/20/092)نبات الحلفــــــــــــــاءLeavesCVSD: 1* cholesterolMacerationOral
Hordeum vulgare L. (LRSBG/AB/20/093)الشعير الزرعSeedsSD: 1* burnsFryingTopical
PoalesAristida pungens Desf (LRSBG/AB/20/157)الدرينStalkHSD: 1* anemiaDecoctionOral
PortulacaceaePortulaca oleracea L. (LRSBG/AB/20/116)البقلة او بندراقLeavesGISD: 1* stomach acheDecoctionOral
PunicaceaePunica granatum L. (LRSBG/AB/20/080)الرمانPeels/fruitsGISD: 6* gastrointestinal diseasesDecoctionOral
IBSRaw/decoctionOral
HeartburnStewingOral
Stomach acheRawOral
DiarrheaDecoctionOral
GH: 2* mouth ulcerDecoctionTopical
Halitosis
NS: 1* headacheDecoctionTopical
RanunculaceaeNigella sativa L. (LRSBG/AB/20/139)حبة البركة. أو الحبة السوداء. او السانوجSeedsNS: 1* migraineDecoctionInhalation
RTD: 1* chest and lung diseasesRawOral
Can: 3* cancerRawOral
SMSD: 3* acute arthritis and goutRawOral
SD: 2* itchy skinRawOral
Limb swelling
RhamnaceaeRhamnus alaternus L. (LRSBG/AB/20/083)آمليلس أو مليلس أو عود الخيرBark/leaves/flowersGISD: 2* jaundice and icterusDecoctionOral
Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Desf. (LRSBG/AB/20/084)النبق شجرة السدرFruits/leavesGISD: 1* jaundice and icterusRawOral
Can: 1* cancerRawOral
SD: 1* skin diseases and ulcerDecoctionOral
RosaceaePotentilla reptans L. (LRSBG/AB/20/166)حشيشة الخامسةLeavesSD: 2* itchy skin limb swellingRawOral
RawOral
Prunus persica (L.) Batsch. (LRSBG/AB/20/056)الخوخLeavesCan: 2* cancerRawOral
SD: 1* limb swellingInfusionTopical
Alchemilla vulgaris L. (LRSBG/AB/20/057)رجل الأسدLeavesSD: 1* skin diseases and ulcerInfusionTopical
Crataegus azarolus L. (LRSBG/AB/20/058)الزعرورFruits/flowersCVSD: 1* cardiovascular diseasesRawOral
NS: 2* headacheDecoctionOral
Dizziness
Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindlالنيفلة او البشملةLeavesNS: 2* headacheDecoctionOral
(LRSBG/AB/20/059)Dizziness
Potentilla erecta (L.) Raeusch. (LRSBG/AB/20/060)لنجبارRootsSRP: 1* breast milk outageMacerationOral
RTD: 1* chest and lung diseasesRawOral
GISD: 2* stomach acheInfusionOral
UlcersDecoctionOral
Prunus domestica L. (LRSBG/AB/20/061)البرقوقFruitsGISD: 2* jaundiceMacerationOral
Liver diseases
Prunus amygdalus L. (LRSBG/AB/20/062)اللوزFruitsSRP: 1* infertilityDecoctionOral
Cydonia oblonga Mill. (LRSBG/AB/20/063)السَفَرْجَلFruitsCVSD: 1* cardiovascular diseasesRawOral
RubiaceaeRubia tinctorum L. (LRSBG/AB/20/117)الفُوَّةRootsNS: 1* sciaticaRawOral
SRP: 1* infertilityRawOral
HSD: 1* anemiaMacerationOral
USD: 1* urinary tract infection/inflammationDecoctionOral
RutaceaeCitrus limon (L.) Osbeck. (LRSBG/AB/20/105)الليمونFruitsRTD: 3* asthmaDecoctionOral
Lung filtering/smokerDecoctionOral
PneumoniaDecoctionOral
NS: 1* dizzinessDecoctionOral
CVSD: 1* hypertensionDecoctionOral
GISD: 1* liver diseasesDecoctionOral
HSD: 1* spleen diseasesDecoctionOral
Ruta chalepensis L. (LRSBG/AB/20/106)السَّذَاب أو الفَيْجَلAerial partGISD: 2* IBS jaundice/icterus,DecoctionOral
Decoction/rawOral/topical
SRP: 6* infertilityDecoctionTopical
GH: 1* earache and deafnessInfusionTopical
SD: 2* limb swellingRawtopical
NS: 1* headacheDecoctionOral
SalvadoraceaeSalvadora persica L. (LRSBG/AB/20/140)مسواكBarkRTD: 2* asthmaDecoctionOral
Lung filtering/smoker
SRP: 1* infertilityDecoctionOral
SantalaceaeSantalum album L. (LRSBG/AB/20/118)الصَنْدَلBark/fruitsNS: 1* migraineDecoctionTopical/oral
ScrophulariaceaeVerbascum sinuatum L. (LRSBG/AB/20/141)مصلح الأنظار أو البوصير أو تيسراوLeavesRTD: 5* pneumonia, chest and lung diseases, and asthmaInfusionTopical
GISD: 6* IBS and stomach painDecoctionOral and steam
SolanaceaeLycium shawii Roem. and Schult (LRSBG/AB/20/142)العوسجRoots/fruits/leavesSD: 5* skin ulcersDecoctionOral
Leprosy
SRP: 4* uterine problems, infertilityDecoctionOral
SMSD: 2* osteoarthritis and goutDecoctionOral
Nicotiana tabacum L. (LRSBG/AB/20/129)الشمةLeavesGH: 1* tonsillitisInfusionTopical
TamaricaceaeTamarix aphylla (L.) H.Karst. (LRSBG/AB/20/143)طحطاحLeavesNS: 1* headacheDecoctionOral
TheaceaeCamellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze. (LRSBG/AB/20/120)الشاي الأخضرLeavesSRP: 1* infertilityMacerationTopical
SD: 1* itchy skinMacerationTopical
ThymelaeaceaeDaphne gnidium L. (LRSBG/AB/20/107)لازازLeavesHC: 1* hair lossRawTopical
RTD: 1* sinusitisSteamingTopical
Aquilaria malaccensis Lam. (LRSBG/AB/20/108)العود الهندي أو عود غريس/أغريسBarkCan: 4* blood cancer DecoctionOral
Stomach cancerDecoctionOral
Liver cancerDecoctionOral
CancerRawTopical
HC: 1* alopecia areataRawOral
UlmaceaeUlmus rubra Muhl. (LRSBG/AB/20/144)الدردارLeavesID: 1* laryngitisDecoctionOral
SMSD: 1* moving difficultyRawTopical
UrticaceaeUrtica dioica L. (LRSBG/AB/20/121)حُرَّيْق أو القُرَّاصLeavesUSD: 1* urinary tract infection/inflammationDecoctionOral
KD: 1* kidney problemsDecoctionOral
SMSD: 1* arthritisDecoctionOral
Parietaria officinalis L. (LRSBG/AB/20/122)فتات الحجرAerial partKD: 1* urolithiasisDecoctionOral
VerbenaceaeVerbena officinalis L. (LRSBG/AB/20/146)رِعْيُ الحَمَامAerial partSRP: 1* uterine problemsDecoctionOral
USD: 1* bladder diseaseDecoctionOral
VitaceaeVitis vinifera L. (LRSBG/AB/20/147)زبيبFruitsHSD: 1* anemiaInfusionOral
SMSD: 2* back painRawTopical
Moving difficultyRawOral
XanthorrhoeaceaeAloe vera (L.) Burm. f. (LRSBG/AB/20/164)صبرLeavesSRP: 1* infertilityDecoctionOral
GISD: 1* stomach acheMacerationOral
Aloe perryi Baker (LRSBG/AB/20/125)الصَبِر السُقُطْريLeavesGISD: 2* colitis + flatulenceRawOral
ZingiberaceaeZingiber officinale Roscoe (LRSBG/AB/20/064)زنجبيل او سكنجبيرRootsCan: 3* breast cancerRawTopical
Legs cancerMacerationTopical
RTD: 2* chest and lung diseasesDecoctionOral
USD: 1* urinary tract infection/inflammationRawOral
GISD: 3* colitisRawOral
FlatulenceRawTopical
Jaundice/icterusRawOral
GH: 1* hoarseness and sore throatRawOral
NS: 1* head problems and psychosisRawTopical
SD: 1* skin diseases and ulcerMacerationTopical
ESD: 1* goiterDecoctionOral
Curcuma longa L. (LRSBG/AB/20/065)الكركمRootsGISD: 2* jaundiceInfusionOral
Liver diseasesInfusionOral
GH: 2* anxiety disorders and hypochondriaRawTopical/oral
NS: 1* head problems and psychosisRawTopical
Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton. (LRSBG/AB/20/066)حب الهالSeedsGISD: 1* heartburnDecoctionOral
ZygophyllaceaeTetraena alba (L.f.) Beier and Thulin. (LRSBG/AB/20/148)العكايةLeaves/seedsESD: 1* diabetesDecoctionOral

List of medicinal plants used by traditional healers in the study areas.

Moreover, future ethnobotanical studies should adopt a multiple evidence-based approach that considers both the social-ecological-cultural context and local linguistic characteristics. In the same line, there is an urgent need for a clear strategy to include the local ethnobotanical knowledge in the conservation of biodiversity besides strong legislation aiming to protect the local medicinal species. Furthermore, establishing a unified local folk pharmacopeia based on different ethnobotanical and pharmacological investigations could be considered as one of the most important challenges in the future decade.

Statements

Data availability statement

The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/Supplementary Material; further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.

Author contributions

BB designed the study and prepared the questionnaire. KB carried out the ethnobotanical investigations. BB performed the identification of medicinal species. BB and KB verified the vernacular and scientific names of medicinal species. BB and KB analyzed the data and wrote the manuscript. BB revised the final version of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the manuscript.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank all the traditional healers for sharing their valuable knowledge.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher’s note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations or those of the publisher, the editors, and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

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Summary

Keywords

Algeria, medicinal plants (herbal drugs), traditional healers, phytotherapy, ethnobotany

Citation

Belhouala K and Benarba B (2021) Medicinal Plants Used by Traditional Healers in Algeria: A Multiregional Ethnobotanical Study. Front. Pharmacol. 12:760492. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2021.760492

Received

18 August 2021

Accepted

25 October 2021

Published

29 November 2021

Volume

12 - 2021

Edited by

Alessandra Durazzo, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Italy

Reviewed by

Gizem Emre, Marmara University, Turkey

Emin Ugurlu, Bursa Technical University, Turkey

Cecilia Cordero, St. Dominic College of Asia, Philippines

Updates

Copyright

*Correspondence: Bachir Benarba,

This article was submitted to Ethnopharmacology, a section of the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology

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All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

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