L’utilisation d’Artemisia herba alba dans le traitement des troubles digestifs : enquête ethnobotanique

Abstract

Medicinal plants have constituted the first and main therapeutic tool available to humans for many centuries across. Ethnobotanical study plays a crucial role in exploring this ancestral knowledge and translating traditional know-how into scientific understanding. In this context, a survey on Artemisia herba-alba was conducted with the aim of evaluating its medicinal properties, examining its traditional use, and identifying any potential side effects associated with its use. This ethnobotanical study lasted three months and was carried out using questionnaire forms with 130 individuals from the general population and 38 herbalists from the Setif province. The results show a female predominance (55%), mostly in their forties (28% aged between 41 and 50 years) and university-educated (46%). They reveal that this plant is mainly used in the treatment of digestive disorders, notably bloating (30.4%), indigestion (26%), abdominal pain (21%), and other digestive issues (22%). The aerial part of the plant is the most commonly used (55%) in the form of an infusion (51%), with varying dosages and durations of treatment. Effectiveness was reported by the majority of users, along with an absence of side effects, reflecting general satisfaction with the use of this plant. These results suggest an interesting therapeutic potential for Artemisia herba-alba, the promotion of which could contribute to enhancing current medical practices, provided that further scientific studies are conducted to validate its efficacy and ensure its safe use.