Etude ethnobotanique des plantes médicinales utilisées dans le traitement traditionnel des cancers

Abstract

Cancer is one of the most concerning diseases. In some regions, people traditionally use medicinal plants to try to treat it. This study focuses on the medicinal plants used to treat cancer in the Ain Temouchent region. The objective is to inventory, document, and analyze the medicinal plants used by the local population in traditional cancer treatment. The survey was conducted from February to March 2026 with 30 informants, including herbalists and elderly women possessing ethnomedical knowledge. Data collection was based on a semi-structured questionnaire administered face-to-face. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis.The results identified 36 plant species. The five most frequently mentioned plants were Nigella sativa (black seed), Thymus vulgaris (thyme), and Artemisia spp. (wormwood), Curcuma longa (turmeric), and Atriplex halimus (orache). The most frequently mentioned types of cancer are breast cancer (52.63%) and colon cancer (31.58%). The dominant preparation methods are powder, infusion, and decoction, administered primarily orally. This study constitutes an original scientific contribution to the documentation of the ethnobotanical heritage of the Ain Temouchent region. It reveals the richness of local traditional knowledge and underscores the urgent need for its preservation in the face of contemporary cultural erosion.