Medicinal plants use for the management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) among Algerian women: An ethnobotanical study

Authors

  • Selma Houchi Laboratory of Applied Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, Setif-1 Ferhat ABBAS University, Setif 19000 Algeria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6922-709X
  • Hanane Khither Laboratory of Applied Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, Sétif-1University, Setif 19000 Algeria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1601-3661
  • Ahlem Karbab Laboratory of Applied Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, Sétif-1University, Setif 19000 Algeria
  • Wafa Nouioua Laboratory of Phytotherapy Applied to Chronic Diseases, Faculty of Natural Life and Sciences, University Ferhat Abbas Setif 1, Algeria

Abstract

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age and is associated with reproductive and metabolic complications. Although conventional management is available for PCOS, many women also use medicinal plants to manage PCOS-related symptoms and associated complications.

Methods: A cross-sectional ethnobotanical survey was conducted among 217 women with physician-confirmed PCOS from 11 Algerian provinces using structured questionnaires administered online and face-to-face. Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), Use Value (UV), Fidelity Level (FL), and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) were calculated.

Results: Medicinal plant use was reported by 210 participants (96.8%). Nine species belonging to six families were recorded. Atriplex halimus (RFC = 0.31; UV = 1.10), Origanum majorana (RFC = 0.23; UV = 0.38), Salvia officinalis (RFC = 0.14; UV = 0.37), and Dolomiaea costus (RFC = 0.12; UV = 0.32) showed the greatest ethnobotanical prominence. ICF values ranged from 0.931 to 1.000 across therapeutic categories. Family members were the main source of traditional knowledge, followed by traditional herbalists and friends. Participants primarily used medicinal plants for menstrual regulation, pelvic pain relief, and fertility-related purposes. Symptom improvement was reported by 73%, while 89% reported no adverse effects.

Conclusion: Medicinal plant use remains prominent among Algerian women with PCOS and reflects continued intergenerational knowledge transmission. The identified species represent priorities for further investigation; however, self-reported benefits and adverse effects were not clinically verified. Pharmacological and clinical studies are required to establish efficacy, safety, and potential herb–drug interactions.

Keywords: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS); ethnobotany; medicinal plants; Algeria; traditional medicine; RFC; UV; ICF

 

Downloads

Published

2026-09-16

How to Cite

Houchi, S., Khither, H., Karbab, A., & Nouioua, W. (2026). Medicinal plants use for the management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) among Algerian women: An ethnobotanical study. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 35, 1–16. Retrieved from https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/8336

Issue

Vol. 35 (2026)

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.