Medicinal plants used in the traditional management of wounds and hypertension: An ethnoecological survey in Ouled Moussa, Algeria

Authors

  • Mohamed Mahdi Dahmani Medicinal plants and biological control Group, Laboratory enhancement and conservation of biological resources, Faculty of Science. Road Railway Station - 35000 Boumerdes, Algeria, Telephone :0024912951. Fax : 0024912951 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  • Louai Benseghir Laboratory of plant ecology and environment, University of science and technology Houari boumedien (USTHB), Algiers. Algeria.
  • Mhamed Hariti Department of Biology, Laboratory of Biodiversity, Biotechnology, Environment and Sustainable Development, M'Hamed Bougara University (UMBB), Boumerdes, Algeria

Abstract

Background: In Algeria, many communities rely on traditional knowledge of medicinal plants for daily healthcare. In Ouled Moussa, Boumerdes, local plants are still used to treat burns, wounds, and manage hypertension. However, scientific documentation in this region is limited. This study aims to document medicinal plants used in Ouled Moussa for wound care and hypertension, including their uses and ecological characteristics.

Methods: Structured interviews with 44 herbalists in Ouled Moussa documented medicinal plants, their preparation, and uses. Ethnobotanical indices assessed species importance. Chorology was analyzed using Takhtajan’s classification, and conservation status was evaluated via the IUCN Red List. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Agglomerative Clustering (HAC) were applied to quantitative and binary data to identify groups of species.

Results: The herbalists shared knowledge on 48 plant species across 26 families, with Lamiaceae and Asteraceae most frequently cited. Herbs were the predominant life form, with leaves as the main plant part used, followed by seeds and roots. Preparations included infusions, mixtures, and ointments. Most species are native to the Mediterranean or Euro-Siberian regions, and the majority are not currently threatened according to the 2024 IUCN Red List, though Saussurea costus is Critically Endangered and Marrubium vulgare Near Threatened. Notably, species such as Teucrium polium, Punica granatum, Carthamus caeruleus, and Hibiscus sabdariffa were widely cited for both wound care and managing blood pressure, reflecting a practical overlap valued by the community.

Conclusions: These findings highlight a living tradition of using local plants for health needs in Ouled Moussa. Preserving this knowledge is essential, especially as some of these plants face pressures from environmental changes. Beyond cultural preservation, these practices may guide researchers in identifying plants with potential for developing new wound-healing and antihypertensive treatments. Further studies should explore the pharmacological properties of these plants to confirm their safety and effectiveness.

Keywords:  Ethnoecological, wound healing, hypertension, medicinal plants, PCA.

Author Biographies

Louai Benseghir, Laboratory of plant ecology and environment, University of science and technology Houari boumedien (USTHB), Algiers. Algeria.

Benseghir Louai, Phd
Department of Plant Ecology and Environment, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene (USTHB), Algiers, Algeria.

Mhamed Hariti, Department of Biology, Laboratory of Biodiversity, Biotechnology, Environment and Sustainable Development, M'Hamed Bougara University (UMBB), Boumerdes, Algeria

Hariti M’hamed, Phd
Department of Biology, Laboratory of Biodiversity, Biotechnology, Environment and Sustainable Development, M’Hamed Bougara University (UMBB), Boumerdes, Algeria.

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Published

2026-07-01

How to Cite

Dahmani, M. M., Benseghir, L. . . . ., & Hariti, M. . (2026). Medicinal plants used in the traditional management of wounds and hypertension: An ethnoecological survey in Ouled Moussa, Algeria . Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 35, 1–21. Retrieved from https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/8454

Issue

Vol. 35 (2026)

Section

Research

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