Etude ethnobotanique et ethnopharmacologique de quelques plantes médicinales utilisées dans le traitement des maladies thyroïdiennes (cas de la population d’Ain Témouchent)

Abstract

The thyroid one of the endocrine systems of our body, its disorders are the most common in the world, which leads people affected to the use of medicinal plants as an alternative treatment. This works part of the ethnobotanical and ethno pharmacological study on medicinal plants used by the population of Ain Témouchent, with the aim of listing them and knowing the dosage, mode and duration of use by our population who suffer more from thyroid disease. Our study included 115 patients, who were interviewed for two months. The characteristics of the patients showed that they are aged between 3 and over 60 years, with a female predominance, all having thyroid disease. The ethnobotanical analysis showed that more than half of our population use phytotherapy; it highlighted the use of 23 medicinal species known and used by the inhabitants of the region, of which Bunium incrassatum (Boiss.) Batt. et Trab. (Targhouda) is the most common. The roots are the most commonly used parts in powder form, prepared mainly by adding honey and/or milk and administered orally, with imprecise doses. In addition, the majority of patients (92%) believe that medicinal plants are free of side effects. These results constitute a promising database for further pharmacological research in thyroid diseases, and contribute to preserve the knowledge of our elders, through the establishment of a directory of medicinal plants and their uses