Etude ethnobotanique quantitative des plantes médicinales utilisées dans la région de Djemila (Wilaya de Sétif)

Abstract

Medicinal plants constitute a vital resource for public health. This study aimed to scientifically document the traditional medicinal knowledge of the Djemila region in order to promote this heritage and identify plant taxa with high biopharmaceutical potential. Semi- structured ethnobotanical surveys were conducted with 70 informants between April and May 2026. The socio-demographic analysis revealed that knowledge of medicinal plants varies according to gender, age, educational level, and place of residence, with women relying more extensively on herbal medicine.A total of 44 plant species belonging to 23 botanical families were recorded, with the Lamiaceae family being the most represented. Ethnobotanical indices (RFC, UV, IIR, FIV, ICF, FL, and IAR) highlighted the therapeutic importance of several species, particularly Origanum glandulosum, and demonstrated a high level of informant consensus regarding the treatment of certain ailments. Statistical analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between the Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), Use Value (UV), and the Relative Importance Index (IIR). These findings confirm the significant role of herbal medicine in local healthcare practices while emphasizing the need for the sustainable use of plant resources and further pharmacological research to enhance the value of this botanical and cultural heritage