Enquête ethnobotanique concerne l’utilisation des plantes médicinales dans le traitement du syndrome des ovaires

Abstract

This study focuses on the use of medicinal plants in the management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in the wilaya of Sétif. To collect the necessary data, a questionnaire was distributed to women diagnosed with this condition. Data analysis revealed that 67% of the cases involved women aged between 20 and 30. Among the respondents, 58% were single and 36% were married. Additionally, 70% had a university-level education, and 47% lived in urban areas. From a therapeutic perspective, 54% of participants reported using both modern and traditional medicine, and 82% considered this combination to be more effective. The presence of cysts was confirmed in 91% of the surveyed women, with a predominance of the polycystic ovarian type (81%). Regarding the use of medicinal plants, 55% of participants reported using them, while 45% relied exclusively on pharmaceutical treatments. The most commonly cited plant was Atriplex halimus (locally known as l’egttef lmalih), used by 33% of the respondents. Its collection was mostly manually (96%), for therapeutic purposes (92%), in dried form (89%), and used alone in 67% of cases. The parts most frequently used were the flowers (55%) or the entire plant (40%), most often prepared as an herbal tea (87%) and administered orally (98%). A specific dosage was followed by 72% of users, and 70% continued treatment until improvement or full recovery. In terms of perceived outcomes, 50% of women reported an improvement in their condition, while 49% mentioned complete recovery. The main sources of motivation were personal experience (60%) and advice from herbalists (26%). The most common method of preservation was shade-drying (64%). In conclusion, this study highlights the frequent use of traditional medicine among women with PCOS in Sétif, with a strong preference for Atriplex halimus. The findings underscore the importance of strengthening scientific research on medicinal plants to rigorously evaluate their efficacy and safety, while also preserving and promoting traditional local knowledge.