Ethnobotanical study of plants used in the treatment of respiratory diseases in a population bordering the forest of Izarène

Abstract

Context: Ethnobotanical surveys among users of medicinal plants have allowed us to inventory the medicinal species used and to safeguard the maximum of information acquired by the local population in traditional phytotherapy. Aims: To contribute to a better knowledge of the medicinal plants used in the treatment of respiratory diseases, an ethnobotanical study was carried out among the population bordering the Izarène forest. Methods: Using 480 questionnaire sheets, ethnobotanical field surveys were conducted during two campaigns (2013 to 2015). The determination of the different survey media was carried out using stratified probability sampling techniques. The ethnobotanical data were analyzed through the calculation of quantitative indices, such as Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), Family Importance Value index (FIV), Fidelity Level (FL), Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) and Use-Value of the Plant Part (PPV). Results: Analysis of the results revealed 40 plant species, which fall into 19 botanical families. The Lamiaceae family was the most represented (14 species, FIV = 0.076). The highest Relative Citation Frequency (RFC) (0.22) was recorded for Mentha pulegium. Concerning the diseases treated, asthma had the highest ICF (0.95). The leaf was considered the most used part of the plant (PPV = 0.34), and most of the remedies were prepared as decoctions. Conclusions: The results obtained could constitute a basis for further studies for the valorization of medicinal plants used against respiratory diseases through biological and phytochemical studies of the inventoried plants.