Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants of bejaia localities from algeria to prevent and treat coronavirus (COVID-19) infection shortened title: phytomedicine to manage COVID-19 pandemic

The propagation of the COVID-19 pandemic in Algeria has pushed the population searching alternative therapies as preventives and treatment selections. The use of medicinal plants is a promising alternative solution to strengthen immunity and chase COVID-19. The aim of this study was to carry out an ethnobotanical survey in the Bejaia department (Algeria) to identify the plants used during the current pandemic. The study was conducted from February to May 2021. The interviews were conducted with 400 informants in order to assemble socio-demographic and floristic features of the respondents and used plants. The data analysis was performed by means of Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), Family Importance Value (FIV), and Plant Part Value (PPV). 23 medicinal plants belonging to 12 families were adopted by the population of the Bejaia localities to prevent and treat COVID-19 infection. Aloysia citriodora Palau (RFC = 0.248), Mentha spicata L. (RFC = 0.145), Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck (RFC = 0.135), Thymus vulgaris L. (RFC = 0.118), Zingiber officinalis  Roscoe (RFC = 0.09), Artemisia herba-alba Asso (RFC = 0.065), and Eucalyptus globules labill (RFC = 0.063) were the most cited species. The leaves of these plants which are used (65%) in the form of infusion (43.6%) are administered orally (95.03%) to treat and relieve certain symptoms of COVID-19. The current survey is the only one in the Bejaia department regarding the exploitation of medicinal herbs in the COVID-19 pandemic. These plants can be used as a platform to manage COVID-19.