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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 13 No. 3 (2026)

The anti-icteric effect of Rhamnus alaternus L.: Ethnomedicinal and commercial perspectives

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.12346
Submitted
18 October 2025
Published
26-05-2026 — Updated on 03-07-2026
Versions

Abstract

An ethnomedicinal survey was conducted to document knowledge about the traditional uses of Rhamnus alaternus L., which is renowned for its varied therapeutic properties and widely distributed throughout the Mediterranean basin, notably in Morocco. This study aims to highlight the place of this species in traditional medicine in our region through an ethnomedicinal survey, in addition to evaluate its socio-economic value for the first time. The ethnomedicinal and socio-economic studies were conducted using a questionnaire and carried out among 172 informants in four areas of the province of Taza-Morocco, over the period of April 2022 to June 2023. The results revealed that R. alaternus is known to the surveyed population by 3 vernacular names: “Amlilas”, “Tamsissalt” and “El Oud El Ahmar”. This study showed that knowledge about the therapeutic usage of the plant was limited, as only 31.39 % of informants confirmed its use to treat icteric syndrome. Furthermore, this study indicated that the traditional use of this plant provides a source of income for herbalists through its sale in 2 forms: dried and fresh, with prices ranging from 30 MAD / 2.77 € to 35 MAD / 3.23 € per kg and from 3 MAD / 0.28 € to 5 MAD / 0.46 € per packet respectively. This study showed that R. alaternus has significant traditional therapeutic and economic value but is limited among herbalists. The therapeutic power of this species encourages further research to take advantage of its benefits and provide a basis for its safe use.

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