Ethnobotanical Study and Traditional Knowledge of Medicinal Plants in Ain Leuh Region (Middle-Atlas of Morocco)

Objective: The present study aimed to analyse and evaluate the ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological informations related to the use of plants for medicinal purposes by the native people of Ain Leuh region. Methods: The ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in the area of Ain Leuh is done firstly by a sampling plan and by using a questionnaire to get an overview on various local traditional uses and floristic diversity of traditional medicine in the region, with reference to other ethnobotanical studies in Morocco. Results: A total of 123 medical plants belonging to 53 families were identified in the region. The most encountered medicinal plant families were Lamiaceae (11.4%), Rosaceae (8.94 %), Asteraceae (8.13 %), Apiaceae (6.5 %), liliaceae (4.9 %), Poaceae (3.25%). Conclusion: The knowledge of medicinal plants used by the people of Ain Leuh seems to be well known. It is, therefore, urgent to save the cultural heritage of the natives, by confirming the therapeutical uses of the plants with scientific criteria