Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants Uses in the Treatment of Female Infertility at the High Atlas Central of Morocco

AN ETHNOBOTANICAL survey was conducted among 108 interviews of the local population and herbalists of the High Atlas Central (HAC) region of Morocco in order to record and identify the medicinal plants used in the treatment of sterility. According to the survey results, 41 species from 19 families are used in the treatment of female infertility, with the most important families being Apiaceae, Asteraceae, and Lamiaceae, each with six species. The most cited plants with the very prominent relative frequency of citation (RFC) are: Lepidium sativum L. (RFC= 0.546), Caralluma europaea (Guss.) N.E.Br. (RFC= 0.546) and Phoenix dactylifera L. (RFC= 0.509). The root is the most commonly used plant part (24.39%), with decoction (29.26%) and infusion (24.39%) being the most popular preparation methods. The majority of receipts (65.85%) are given orally. For plants used to promote fertilization, the degree of agreement on medication (ICF) was very high (ICF= 0.982). This study is the first one in Morocco concerning female infertility. It revealed that there was real knowledge about medicinal plants used for the treatment of female infertility. Its findings could lead to the discovery of natural pharmaceutically active principles and/or drugs that are active, safe, and easily accessible to populations.