Étude Ethnobotanique Des Plantes Utilisées Dans La Prévention Ou Le Traitement Des Tumeurs Selon la Médecine Traditionnelle Dans La Région de Sétif

Abstract

This ethnobotanical study, conducted during the 2025–2026 academic year in Sétif Province (Northeastern Algeria), aimed to identify the medicinal plants traditionally used for the prevention and treatment of cancer and to document their methods of use. A survey involving 120 participants, mainly herbalists and cancer patients, identified 57 medicinal plant species belonging to 35 botanical families. The most frequently cited species included Artemisia herba-alba, Nigella sativa, Curcuma longa, and Zingiber officinale. Leaves were the most commonly used plant part, while infusion and decoction were the predominant methods of preparation, and oral administration was the primary route of use. The findings demonstrate the important role of herbal medicine in traditional healthcare due to its accessibility, affordability, and the trust placed in natural remedies by the local population. However, the study also highlights concerns regarding the lack of standardized dosages, the potential for adverse effects, and possible interactions with conventional cancer treatments. Overall, thisresearch emphasizes the richness of Sétif’s ethnobotanical heritage and highlights the need for further phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological studies to scientifically validate the efficacy and safety of these medicinal plants.