Ethnobotany of Green Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) and its combinations with medicinal plants in the Beni Mellal region, Morocco

Authors

  • Mohamed Bakha Polydisciplinary Faculty of Beni Mellal, Sultan Moulay Slimane University,
  • Abdelkarim Khiraoui Environmental, Ecological and Agro-Industrial Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Technologies, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco.
  • Sanae Amkiss Laboratory of Biology and Health, Faculty of Sciences of Tetouan, Abdelmalek Essaâdi University, Tetouan, Morocco.
  • Chaima El-Houssaini Unit of Plant Biotechnology and Sustainable Development of Natural Resources ’B2DRN’, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Beni Mellal, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Morocco.
  • Sliman Molyn Unit of Plant Biotechnology and Sustainable Development of Natural Resources ’B2DRN’, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Beni Mellal, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Morocco.
  • Mariem Ben-Said Laboratory of Biology, Ecology, and Health, Faculty of Sciences, Abdelmalek Essaâdi University, Tetouan, Morocco.

Abstract

Background: Green tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) is widely consumed worldwide, and has a particular importance for several ethnic populations, mainly Asian and North African. This study assessed, for the first time, the ethnobotany of green tea intake and its combination with medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) in Morocco.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the Beni Mellal-Khenifra region, (Morocco), consisting of 212 informants. Data were collected using a structured, paper-based questionnaire to collect comprehensive ethnobotanical information regarding the practices related to green tea consumption.

Results: Results revealed a high prevalence of daily green tea consumption (88.68%), with most participants reporting an intake twice per day (40.57%) and two cups per consumption (50%). Green tea was mainly consumed alone or with food, and was generally preferred at moderate concentration and in sweetened form. About 83% of participants reported combining green tea with MAPs, either individually or in a mixture. Seventeen species belonging to seven botanical families were used individually, with Lamiaceae being the most represented and Asteraceae showing the highest FIV (0.462). Regarding mixtures, 31 species from 13 families were recorded, with Geraniaceae, Verbenaceae and Lamiaceae being the most prominent families.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates the integral role of green tea in dietary habits of the local population, and highlights the ethnobotanical richness of MAPs used in its preparation, reflecting the transmission and conservation of traditional knowledge. Further investigations are required to assess the safety of the most commonly used species and their combinations, particularly in cases of regular and long-term consumption.

Keywords: Green Tea; Medicinal and Aromatic Plants; Ethnobotany; Traditional practices; Beni Mellal-Khenifra region; Morocco

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Published

2026-07-01

How to Cite

Bakha, M., Khiraoui, A., Amkiss, S., El-Houssaini, C. ., Molyn, S. ., & Ben-Said, M. . (2026). Ethnobotany of Green Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) and its combinations with medicinal plants in the Beni Mellal region, Morocco . Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 35, 1–21. Retrieved from https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/8209

Issue

Vol. 35 (2026)

Section

Research

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