Used Aromatic Medicinal Plants in three Human Agglomerations of Zaaer (Morocco): Used Species, Used Parts of the Plant and the Ways of Use

Abstract

In this work, using a questionnaire survey, we have developed an inventory of the used aromatic medicinal
plants in traditional medicine by the population of the main human settlements on the «Zaaer» plateau, the
used parts of the plant and the use way of these parts. So, 52 species arranged in 24 botanic families and 22
orders were inventoried. The most represented systematic groups in species (4 to 7) belong to the Order of
Apiales, Family Apiaceae and the Order Lamiales represented by the Family of Lamiaceae; The Order of
Asterales represented by the Family of Asteraceae and the Order of Capparales represented by the Family of
Brassicaceae. The remaining botanical families and Orders have only one or two species each. The infusion
and the decoction remain the most frequent modes of use and it is the aerial part of the plant which is
the most used. The treated diseases are very diverse: 46% of the species are used for the treatment of the
digestive tract, 25% for diabetes, 21% for cosmetic 20% for cardiovascular problems, 20% for microbial
infections and intoxications, 13% for prostate and urinary diseases. The treatment of respiratory diseases
concerns only 7% of the used spécies.