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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 13 No. 2 (2026)

An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in the Khemisti region (Tissemsilt Province, Western Algeria)

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.13841
Submitted
26 January 2026
Published
14-05-2026 — Updated on 23-05-2026
Versions

Abstract

Ethnobotanical studies represent a fundamental scientific approach worldwide. They aim to identify and document the plants used by local populations, as well as their traditional uses. Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted in the Khemisti region (Tissemsilt Province, Western Algeria) to document medicinal plant use and associated traditional knowledge. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with local informants and quantitative indices, including the Informant consensus factor (ICF), were used to assess agreement among respondents. This study revealed a rich floristic diversity in this area, comprising 48 species of medicinal plants distributed among 22 botanical families. The Lamiaceae family was dominant (23 %), followed by Asteraceae (15 %) and Apiaceae (8 %). Their predominance in the local pharmacopoeia can be explained by their well-known biological properties, notably anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Leaves, rich in bioactive compounds, represented the most frequently used part (41 %). The main methods of preparation were infusion (51 %) and decoction (32 %), while the oral route accounted for 83 % of uses, mainly for the treatment of diabetes, cancer, fever and asthma. Rosmarinus officinalis L., Ammoides pusilla (Brot.) Breistr., Zizyphus lotus (L.) Lam. and Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Mast. were among the most frequently used medicinal plants in traditional phytotherapy. According to the literature, these plants are recognised for their beneficial effects on human health. The categories of diseases treated by medicinal plants in the Khémisti region showed ICF values ranging from 0.80 to 0.89, indicating strong homogeneity among informants. The digestive disorders category recorded the highest index, probably linked to local dietary habits.  This study provides baseline ethnobotanical data for the Khemisti region and highlights the persistence of traditional medicinal practices. These findings may support future phytochemical and pharmacological investigations, as well as efforts to preserve local knowledge.

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