Therapeutic Potential of Traditional Medicinal Plants from the Central Algerian Steppe for Treating Common Digestive Disorders

In the central Algerian steppe, digestive system disorders are a common affliction that the majority of the population treats using medicinal plants. This study aims to evaluate the therapeutic potential of the medicinal plants used for treating four common disorders: colopathy, gastric ulcers, acute diarrhea, and chronic constipation. To achieve this, a survey was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire, involving a total of 75 traditional phytotherapy practitioners. The questionnaire comprised two sections: socio-demographic information about the practitioners and details regarding the cited plants. Data were collected through field survey forms, categorizing participants by gender, age, education level, and professional experience. Detailed botanical information about the identified plants was carefully collected and analyzed. The diversity of medicinal plants used for digestive disorders was inventoried and assessed using adequate statistics. The survey identified 57 plant species across 32 botanical families, with a predominance of Lamiaceae (9 species) and Asteraceae (7 species). Infusion was the most common preparation method (44%) followed by decoction (38%). These findings emphasize the importance of medicinal plants in traditional treatment of gastric disorders in the region and provide a foundation for future studies on their biological and chemical potentials. The study identified a wide variety of medicinal plants used to treat conditions such as colopathy, gastric ulcers, acute diarrhea, and chronic constipation, with key plants like Cuminum cyminum, Teucrium polium, Artemisia campestris, and Senna alexandrina noted for their high efficacy. The use of single plants (8 species) for multiple disorders was observed, reflecting the interconnected nature of these conditions and the broad medicinal properties of the plants. This investigation underscores the extensive traditional knowledge and rich diversity of medicinal plants used in the central Algerian steppe for treating digestive disorders. The findings highlight the importance of these plants and suggest potential areas for further pharmacological research to validate their efficacy and safety.