Ethnopharmacological study of medicinal plants used in the treatment of skin diseases in the Western Middle Atlas region (Morocco)

Fatiha El Azzouzi; Soukaina Chaouqi; Meryem Makkaoui; Hanae Briguiche; Lahcen Zidane

doi:10.18006/2024.12(1).93.105

Authors

Fatiha El Azzouzi Plant, Animal Productions and Agro-industry laboratory, Sciences Faculty, Ibn Tofail University, B.P.133 14000, Kenitra, Morocco https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8310-229X
Soukaina Chaouqi Organic Chemistry, Catalysis and Environment Laboratory, Sciences Faculty, Ibn Tofail University, BP 242, 14000, Kenitra, Morocco https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0761-2160
Meryem Makkaoui Microbiology and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Mohamed V University, PO Box 1014, Rabat, Morocco https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1617-3617
Hanae Briguiche Plant, Animal Productions and Agro-industry laboratory, Sciences Faculty, Ibn Tofail University, B.P.133 14000, Kenitra, Morocco https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0506-9946
Lahcen Zidane Plant, Animal Productions and Agro-industry laboratory, Sciences Faculty, Ibn Tofail University, B.P.133 14000, Kenitra, Morocco https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6044-3930

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18006/2024.12(1).93.105

Keywords:

Ethnopharmacology, Medicinal plants, Skin diseases, Western Middle Atlas

Abstract

An investigation was conducted among 360 people from the local population of the Western Middle Atlas of Morocco to identify medicinal plants used for treating skin diseases. Various parameters, including Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), Family Use Value (FUV), Plant Part Value (PPV), Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), and Fidelity Level (FL), were used for data collection and assessment. During the investigation, 45 medicinal plant species belonging to 33 families were documented, with the most important family being Euphorbiaceae (FUV = 0.292). The highest ICF value (ICF=0.991) was mentioned for skin cancer. The poultice was found to be the primary method for preparing the majority of remedies (51%). Leaves were the most commonly used plant part (PPV = 0.476), and Allium sativum L. was the most widely used species (RFC = 0.302). These findings are a preliminary step towards conserving and popularising these plant species, promoting sustainable practices in traditional medicine, safeguarding biodiversity, and integrating these valuable botanical resources into modern healthcare systems.

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