Original Articles
Hannou Zerkani, Imane Tagnaout
Abstract
In order to contribute to the enhancement of plant biodiversity and traditional phytotherapy of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAP) in Morocco, an ethnobotanical study was carried out over the different stages of vegetation in rural villages of Ait Ishaq, El-Hammam, Tighassaline and Ageulmame Azegza within the province of Khenifra. By using 200 question cards, an ethnobotanical field investigation were conducted during the two months May-April 2014, which focus on probabilistic, stratified and random sampling technique. The computerization of collections in database form is a way of testing the traditional knowledge, for a better description, valorisation and preservation of local pharmacopoeia pragmatically. It also helped to identify and verify the information discrepancies and so highlight the confusion in the identity of the plants in their mode of use and in ways of practicing traditional medicine. The study of medicinal flora has identified 71 medicinal species divided into 37 families and 61 genuses, with a prevalence of lamiaceae (13), and asteraceaes (9). The results of this study showed that the leaves are the most used part. Moreover, the majority of the remedies are prepared in decoction. On the diseases treated plan, the digestive affections are the most affections cured with a rate of 23,92%, followed by the metabolic affections (14,12%).The dose is still random, as 95.39% of the surveyed population use the medicinal herbs with no precise amounts. This study allowed to inventory the medicinal flora of the province of Khenifra, then to gather the maximum of informations concerning the therapeutic uses of the medicinal herbs practiced by the population.