Traditional herbal medicine has been deeply rooted in the El Haouz region of the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco, where phytotherapy, using medicinal plants for disease prevention and treatment, has been widely practiced for many years. The local community has heavily relied on herbal remedies to alleviate various health conditions, including digestive issues, respiratory infections, joint discomfort, and skin disorders. The primary objective of our study is to meticulously document the specific medicinal plants employed by the region's inhabitants to address prevalent ailments.
To achieve this, an extensive search was conducted across various reputable databases, such as Google Scholar, Semantic Scholar, ResearchGate, Academia.edu, and PubMed. Relevant keywords, such as "High Atlas," "Phytotherapy," and "medicinal and aromatic plants," were employed to ensure comprehensive coverage. Our bibliographic investigation reveals abundant aromatic and medicinal plants in the El Haouz region.
The study findings illustrate that the local population in three areas of El Haouz (Imegdal, Amezmiz, and Asni) utilize 36 well-known remedies, categorized into 14 groups, to address a wide range of ailments. Notably, most of these plants exhibit multiple applications and are not limited to treating a single disease. Among the plant parts employed, leaves are the most commonly used (55%), followed by underground parts (40%, such as roots, tubers, bulbs, and rhizomes), flowers (18%), seeds (16%), and fruits (15%).
Additionally, we present detailed information on five specific aromatic and medicinal plants renowned for their effectiveness in treating various infections. These plants include Rubia tinctorum L., Ziziphus lotus (L.) Lam., Ridolfia segetum (L.) Moris (used for anemia), Thymus saturejoides Coss., and Rosmarinus officinalis L. (used for diabetes). The study delves into the specific utilisation methods for each of these plants.
The results of our inquiry provide substantial evidence of the local knowledge about plant species in the Al Haouz region, which have been traditionally employed for diverse ailments. Further exploration is warranted to investigate these documented plants' phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological aspects, with the potential to discover novel medications derived from them.