Ethnobotanical and Ethnopharmacological Studies of Medicinal Plants in the Southern Mediterranean: Tangier-Tétouan Region, Northern Morocco

Plants have been invaluable natural resources for nutrients and therapeutic compounds, playing a vital role in traditional medicine worldwide. In the Tanger-Tétouan region (Tanger-Assilah, Tétouan, Fahs-Anjra, and M’diq-Fnideq), aromatic and medicinal plants are integral to addressing various health issues. However, ethnobotanical knowledge of this region remains underexplored. This study aims to document ethnobotanical knowledge in the Tangier-Tetouan region, northern, Morocco. The surveys were conducted using 765 questionnaires across two campaigns in 2023 and 2024. The study documented the medicinal and aromatic plants used in the region, based on data collected from 760 participants belonging to diverse socio-demographics between November 2023 and September 2024. Using structured questionnaires and analytical metrics, including Frequency of Citation (FC), Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), and Use Value (UV), the study identified 171 plant species across 55 botanical families, with Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Apiaceae, and Poaceae being predominant. Commonly used species include Thymus satureioides, Rosmarinus officinalis, and Salvia officinalis. Leaves, fruits, and seeds were the main parts used, primarily for gastrointestinal and respiratory ailments. Traditional remedies were mostly administered orally as decoctions or infusions. Approximately half of the respondents reported satisfaction with the treatments' effectiveness. This research highlights the continued relevance of plant-based remedies and provides a foundation for pharmacological studies to explore bioactive compounds, potentially contributing to pharmaceutical development or offering natural alternatives in modern medicine.