Enquête ethnobotanique et ethnopharmacologique des plantes médicinales utilisées dans le traitement traditionnel de COVID-19 dans la wilaya de Mostaganem (Algérie)

Abstract

The work we executed is an ethnobotanical study that aims to shed light on the place of phytotherapy in the treatment of COVID-19 in the population of the region of Mostaganem. To carry out this investigation, we administrated questionnaires with well determined criteria; age, sex, level of study, and health status, according to 150 participants. The results we arrived at, we identified 14 plants belonging to different botanical families, wherein the most represented one is cloves with a percentage of 29%. As for the means of obtentions, predominantly, 36% reported to purchase the plants from the herbalist or pharmacist, as well as from one’s entourage (friends & family). The leaf is the most used with a frequency of 30.92%. The methods of preparation and administration are respectively infusion (46%) and oral route (64%). These remedies are used in 71% of cases for preventive purposes and in 29% of cases for curative purposes. Concerning the sources of information on the use, thanks to the ancestral knowledge of the study population in the field of herbal medicine, the family heritage is dominant with a percentage of 44%. The study population justifies its herbal medicine, essentially (41% of the answers), by the fact that medicinal plants are natural and safe, and they affirm that this therapy has had good results (an improvement of the state of health in 51% of the quoted cases) with rare undesirable effects and few side effects and few precautions to be taken. We also noted that during the pandemic COVID-19, many individuals used antibiotics as self-medication without any medical advice. The same goes for phytotherapy: the advice of a health professional before taking plants is exceptionally requested by the population, thus, neglecting the potential risks; counter indications and possible interactions between natural and conventional remedies. Consequently this study allowed us to establish a list of medicinal plants that could be used as curative or preventive measures to fight COVID-19, which also can be used as a database for further research in the field of herbal medicine against COVID-19