etude ethnobotanique des plantes médicinales utilisées dans le traitement traditionnel des rhumatismes dans la région d'ain temouchent

Abstract

Rheumatism refers to a group of diseases that cause pain or inflammation in the joints and surrounding structures such as tendons or ligaments. It represents a significant public health concern, especially since delays in rheumatologic consultation can worsen patient outcomes. Due to limited access to conventional healthcare and the high cost of modern medicine, many individuals continue to rely on traditional herbal medicine. This trend is also reinforced by a growing societal return to natural and alternative therapies. The objective of this study is to identify the medicinal plants used for the treatment of rheumatism by the population of Aïn Témouchent province. It contributes to the documentation and valorization of local ethnobotanical knowledge. The research was conducted using 33 ethnobotanical survey questionnaires, designed to gather detailed information on the therapeutic use of medicinal plants. The results show that women are the primary users of medicinal plants (79%). Interestingly, 85% of traditional medicine users have a university-level education. The study identified 13 plant species belonging to 10 botanical families, with the Lamiaceae family being the most represented. Leaves are the most commonly used plant part (58%), and decoction is the most frequent mode of preparation (40%). The remedies are mostly administered orally. This research highlights the significance of traditional knowledge in managing rheumatic conditions and underlines the importance of preserving and promoting this local medicinal heritage.