Ethnopharmacological Documentation of Medicinal Plants Used in the Traditional Treatment of Hypertension in Tarfaya Province, Morocco

Abstract

The use of plants to treat chronic diseases is part of an ancient Moroccan tradition. This study will present the first relevant documentation on medicinal plants used in the treatment of hypertension in Tarfaya province. This study aimed to collect and document information on medicinal plants traditionally used by the local population of Tarfaya province for the treatment of hypertension. Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted using 150 questionnaires in the study area. Documented data were evaluated using the quantitative ethno-botanical indices of frequency citation (FC) and Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC). The results obtained allowed to inventory 52 species of medicinal plants belonging to 29 families traditionally used against hypertension. The species were rich in diverse chemical constituents. The most cited families are Lamiaceae (9 species), Apiaceae (5 species), Compositae (3 species), Leguminosae (3 species) and Myrtaceae (3 species). Ten plants are reported for the first time as used in the treatment of hypertension. The most cited plant species are Allium sativum (RFC = 0.28), Allium cepa (RFC = 0.2), Olea europaea (RFC = 0.18), Searsia tripartita (RFC = 0.16), Ammodaucus leucotrichus (RFC = 0.15) and Myrtus communis (RFC = 0.15). Leaves were the most used organs. The decoction was the dominant method of preparation. This study showed that the inhabitants of Tarfaya use a wide variety of plants for the treatment of hypertension. This work is a source of information that can serve as a basis for phytochemists and pharmacologists interested in research on plants with antihypertensive effect.

Ethnopharmacological and Ethnobotanical study of Medicinal plants in the High Atlas Central, Morocco

“…This result can be explained by the attachment of women to the traditional component as well as by the ease of transmission of this information between them, and they are concerned with the treatment of themselves and their families. These results are in agreement with those reported in other regions of Morocco (El alami et al 2017, Idm'hand et al 2019, Ziyyat et al 1997. (Table 1) On marital status, 65.05% were married, 17.23% were single, 11.65% were widowed and 6.06% were divorced, These results can be explained by the fact that married people take care of their health and that of their children, especially in rural areas, in order to minimize the material expenses of the doctor and the pharmacist, the difference between families status was statistically significant (P = 0.000).…”

A review of Moroccan Medicinal Plants Used in the Treatment of Hypertension

“…In this province, the most frequently used plants include Allium sativum, Allium cepa, Olea europaea, Searsia tripartita, Ammodaucus leucotrichus and Myrtus communis. The survey revealed that leaves were the most frequently used part in herbal preparations (Idm'hand et al, 2019).…”

“…These were: Nerium oleander, Citrullus colocynthis, Ferula assa-foetida, Papaver somniferum, Mandragora officinalis, Tetraena gaetula, Ricinus communis, Peganum harmala and Datura stramonium (Eddouks et al, 2002). (Eddouks et al, 2002;Idm'hand et al, 2019;Jouad et al, 2001;Tahraoui et al, 2007;Ziyyat et al, 1997 Eddouks et al, 2002;Idm'hand et al, 2019;Jouad et al, 2001;Tahraoui et al, 2007;Ziyyat et al, 1997 Eddouks et al, 2002;Idm'hand et al, 2019;Tahraoui et al, 2007;Ziyyat et al, 1997) Tamarix aphylla (L.) H.Karst.…”

“…Laaraar Leaf Powder (Douira and Zidane, 2015;Eddouks et al, 2002;Idm'hand et al, 2019;Jouad et al, 2001;Tahraoui et al, 2007;Ziyyat et al, 1997…”

“…Toxic effects are usually dose-related. Hypertensive patients used certain toxic plants such Citrullus colocynthis, Datura stramonium, Artemisia herba-alba, Peganum harmala and Tetraena gaetula (Douira and Zidane, 2015;Eddouks et al, 2002;Idm'hand et al, 2019;Jouad et al, 2001;Tahraoui et al, 2007;Ziyyat et al, 1997). In high doses the seeds of Petroselinum crispum can be toxic, possible risk of photosensitization (a form of skin allergies).…”