Ethnobotanical survey on the use of medicinal and aromatic plants in the region of Ain Assel at the level of El tarf city (Northeast of Algeria)

Introduction: The use of medicinal plants is still of a great interest for mankind despite the pharmaceutical industry development. This ancestral information is connected over time allowing the transmission of knowledge. The objective of this work is to conduct an ethnobotanical study on medicinal plants carried out in the region of Ain Assel, in order to evaluate, on one hand the region's potential in medicinal plants, and on the other hand to collect all the information on traditional therapeutic uses practiced by the local population. Materials and Methods: Our survey has allowed us to identify 80 medicinal plants belonging to 46 families and 76 types, which are mostly used by the local inhabitants. The most represented family being that of the Lamiaceae with 10 species. Our results have showed that Results and discussion: The majority of remedies are prepared in the form of an infusion. The vast majority of forms of medicinal plant use are herbal teas. The large number of medicinal plants are used to treat respiratory disorders and digestive diseases. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the significance of floristic biodiversity in the region of Ain Assel. The sustainable use of this richness could be a way for the conservation of this natural heritage. In addition, sensitizing the new generation to exploit the field of phytotherapy is a way of protecting people's health.