Ethnomedical practices and the dynamics of local Knowledge: participatory survey among populations in the Fez Meknes region

Authors

  • Meryem Doubi Ressources Naturelle et Développement Durable
  • Mostafa el Khomsi Laboratory of Natural Resources and Sustainable Development, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University –KENITRA - University Campus, Kenitra 14000, Morocco
  • Aimad Allali Laboratory of Engineering, Electrochemistry, Modeling and Environment, Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mahraz, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, B.P. 1796 Atlas, Fez 30000, Morocco
  • Chaimae Torres Laboratory of Natural Resources and Sustainable Development, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University –KENITRA - University Campus, Kenitra 14000, Morocco
  • Youssef el Assri Laboratory of Engineering, Electrochemistry, Modeling and Environment, Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mahraz, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, B.P. 1796 Atlas, Fez 30000, Morocco
  • Inssaf Amrani el Medrai Laboratory of Natural Resources and Sustainable Development, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University –KENITRA - University Campus, Kenitra 14000, Morocco
  • Nidal Khemmou Laboratory of Advanced Materials and Process Engineering, Faculty of Sciences, University Ibn Tofail PB. 133- 14000, Kenitra, Morocco
  • Amal Lahkimi Laboratory of Engineering, Electrochemistry, Modeling and Environment, Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mahraz, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, B.P. 1796 Atlas, Fez 30000, Morocco
  • Driss Hmouni Laboratory of Natural Resources and Sustainable Development, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University –KENITRA - University Campus, Kenitra 14000, Morocco

Abstract

Background: Medicinal and aromatic plants are essential for therapeutic, food, and cosmetic uses. Objectives: to promote local knowledge and document floral diversity and ethnobotanical practices.

Methods: An ethnobotanical survey (March 2024–March 2025) was conducted among 406 participants in Fez-Meknes Region, Morocco. The data, obtained from semi-open interviews on therapeutic, dietary, and cosmetic practices, were used to calculate Family Use Value (FUV), Use Value (UV), Plant Part Value (PPV), and Informant Agreement Ratio (IAR). Multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) explored the links between plant use and sociodemographic characteristics.

Results:  123 species belonging to 55 botanical families were enumerated, The Lamiaceae family (FUV=0.154) was found to be the most represented, while Ajuga iva (L.) Schreb. (UV=0.57) was the most recommended species.  Maceration is the most common method of preparation (63.87%). Leaves are the most commonly used part (PPV=0.78). Painful and inflammatory conditions were the most frequently cited category (IAR=0.96).

Conclusions: Present study highlights the richness of flora and traditional knowledge, and the importance of phytochemical and pharmacological research in scientifically validating therapeutic, dietary, and cosmetic uses.

Keywords:  Ethnopharmacology, Traditional medicine, Medicinal plants, Use value/IAR.

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Published

2026-05-07

How to Cite

Doubi, M., el Khomsi, M. ., Allali, A. ., Torres, C. ., el Assri, Y. ., Amrani el Medrai, I. ., Khemmou, N., Lahkimi, A. ., & Hmouni, D. . (2026). Ethnomedical practices and the dynamics of local Knowledge: participatory survey among populations in the Fez Meknes region. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 34, 1–23. Retrieved from https://www.ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/7782

Issue

Vol. 34 (2026)

Section

Research

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