Exploring medicinal plant diversity and traditional healthcare in Nador (Morocco) through ethnobotanical and pharmacological perspectives

Resumen

This study provides a comprehensive ethnopharmacological assessment of medicinal plants used in Nador,  Morocco,  documenting  traditional  knowledge  from both urban and rural communities during the period from May 7 to November 28, 2024. A  structured ethnobotanical  survey was  conducted  among  103  informants  including  traditional healers,   herbalists,   and   community   elders   using   semi-structured  questionnaires,  field  observations,  and  specimen collection.  Quantitative  indices  such  as  relative  frequency  ofcitation  (RFC),  use  value  (UV),  and  informant  consensus factor   (ICF)   were   calculated   to   evaluate   the   cultural significance and therapeutic relevance of each species.A total of 38 medicinal plant species, representing 14 botanical families, were identified. Among these, the Lamiaceae family was   predominant,   accounting   for   26.3%   of   the   species, followed   by   Asteraceae   (18.4%)   and   Apiaceae   (13.2%). Notably, Origanum compactum exhibited the highest citation frequency  (RFC  =  72.8%),  followed  by  Mentha  pulegium (RFC  =  63.1%).  The  Asteraceae  and  Apiaceae  families  were also well represented, with RFC values of 59.2% and 51.5%, respectively.    Gastrointestinal    disorders    were    the    most frequently  treated  condition, accounting  for  34.0%  of  all  use reports   (ICF   =   0.81),   while   respiratory   infections   and dermatological conditions comprised 23.0% (ICF = 0.78) and 15.5%  (ICF  =  0.75)  of  the  reported  cases.  Leaves  were  the most commonly usedplant part (58.2%), and infusion was the predominant method of preparation (43.7%).These findings emphasize the vital role of medicinal plants in Nador’s  traditional  healthcare  system  and  underscore  the necessity   for   further   phytochemical   and   pharmacological research  to  elucidate  their  therapeutic  potential.  Moreover, they  highlight  the importance  of  sustainable  conservation efforts to preserve these valuable botanical resources for future generations.