Ethnobotanical investigation of 'Chamaerops humilis' in the area of Beni Snous (Western of Algeria)

Nadjat Medjati,Okkacha Hasnaoui,Noria Hachemi,Brahim Babali

doi:10.5209/mbot.60127

Nadjat Medjati, Okkacha Hasnaoui + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.5209/mbot.60127

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Abstract

The ethnobotanical potentials of Chamaerops humilis in the Béni Snous region (south-west of Tlemcen, western Algeria) has been studied to know the therapeutic utilities and the practices of the local populations, in order to valorize this resource. A series of ethnobotanical surveys were carried out using a questionnaire on the 3 municipalities of Beni Snous (Beni Bahdel, Azail, and Beni Snous). The frequency of use of Chamaerops humilis in the region of study is closely related to the profile of the investigated people. The results of this study reveal that Chamaerops humilis parts are used for therapeutic purposes by the local population: the heart of stipe as to treat dyspepsia (gastrointestinal attacks, 93.90%), fruits as an antiseptic (70.73%), roots for anemia (36.55%) and intestinal worms (30.10%), while the leaves are often used to treat diabetes (21.62%) and other gastrointestinal disorders (30.1%).

Highlights

Medicinal plants remain as a source of medical care in the developing countries, in the absence of a modern medical system (Tabuti et al, 2003)
In western Algeria, Chamaerops humilis is considered as species of degradation of forest formations, it has an important role in residual ecosystems, due to its reduced water, and more generally to its adaptation on the ecological constraints and anthropogenic sources (Hasnaoui et al, 2006)
Frequency of medicinal use of Chamaerops humilis according to the typology of the respondents

Summary

Introduction

Medicinal plants remain as a source of medical care in the developing countries, in the absence of a modern medical system (Tabuti et al, 2003). In western Algeria, Chamaerops humilis is considered as species of degradation of forest formations, it has an important role in residual ecosystems, due to its reduced water, and more generally to its adaptation on the ecological constraints and anthropogenic sources (Hasnaoui et al, 2006). It is certainly one of the taxons presenting a great socioeconomic interest for the local populations, where it is used for manufacturing an innumerable article of esparto manufacture for the transport of olives, grapes and other fruits, and fish (Hasnaoui et al, 2011). The ethnobotanical studies seem like a good approach for understanding in a given area, the uses

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Conclusion