Ethnomedicinal use of plants by Ain Chkef (North Central Morocco) community to boost immunity and overcome SARS COV-2 infection

Authors

  • Khadija Benamar Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnology and Bioactive Molecules, Sciences and Technologies Faculty, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University. P.O. Box 2202, Fez, Morocco.
  • Saad Ibnsouda Koraichi Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnology and Bioactive Molecules, Sciences and Technologies Faculty, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, P. O. Box 2202, Imouzzer Road Fez, Morocco.
  • Saad Benamar High School Teachers-Training Institution, Laboratory of Biotechnology, Environment, Agri-Food, and Health, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University. P.O. Box 5206 Bensouda, Fez, Morocco.
  • Kawtar Fikri-Benbrahim Microbial Biotechnology and Bioactive Molecules Laboratory, Sciences and Technologies Faculty, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, P.O.Box -2202, Imouzzer Road Fez, Morocco. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2923-9299

Abstract

Background: The appearance of the virus SARS-COV-2 in China, December 2019 has resulted in worldwide pandemic. In anticipation of the development of an effective vaccine against this virus, Moroccan people from different areas have used medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) to boost their immunity and overcome this pandemic. Thus, several surveys were performed in different Moroccan cities to gather data concerning MAPs used for this purpose. However, there is a lack of such studies in Moroccan rural communes where the use of herbal remedies is more dominant. Therefore, we have performed an ethnobotanical study in Ain Chkef rural commune to collect information related to MAPs used in this area during the pandemic COVID-19.

Methods: A survey regarding the use of MAPs by people of Ain Chkef area was performed. 149 people were interviewed. Collected data was analyzed using plant citation indexes. Multiple Components Analysis was performed to determine correlations between plants and humans’ socio-demographic characteristics.

Results: A total of 23 plants species were cited, belonging to 15 botanical families. The dominant families were Myrtaceae and Rutaceae. Whereas the most cited species were Eucalyptus globulus Labill. and Syzygium aromaticum (L.). Leaves were used more frequently than the other plant organs, and fumigation was the preponderant preparation method.

Conclusion: The present study highlights MAPs used by people in Ain Chkef against COVID-19 during the pandemic. Thus, it constitutes an important database for researchers for the discovery of new bioactive compounds from MAPs, efficient against COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; medicinal plants; Ain Chkef community.

Downloads

Published

2024-05-22

How to Cite

Benamar, K., Ibnsouda Koraichi , S., Benamar, S., & Fikri-Benbrahim, K. (2024). Ethnomedicinal use of plants by Ain Chkef (North Central Morocco) community to boost immunity and overcome SARS COV-2 infection . Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 29, 1–17. Retrieved from https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/5826

Issue

Vol. 29 (2024)

Section

Research

License

All articles are copyrighted by the first author and are published online by license from the first author. Articles are intended for free public distribution and discussion without charge. Accuracy of the content is the responsibility of the authors.