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Chapter 15 The mysteries of Moroccan nature: aromatic plants and their therapeutic medicinal properties

  • Abdellatif Rafik ORCID logo and Burak Tüzün
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Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
This chapter is in the book Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

Abstract

Morocco, with its rich and varied natural landscape, stands as a country of remarkable botanical diversity – a true testament to nature’s generosity. The country is home to more than 4,200 plant species, of which over 800 are endemic, and approximately 600 are recognized for their medicinal and aromatic properties. This extraordinary wealth offers untapped potential, particularly in the areas of agriculture and healthcare, which are key to Morocco’s sustainable development. To fully harness the benefits of this plant diversity, it is imperative to advance the field of ethnopharmacology, a discipline that focuses on understanding the medicinal and aromatic properties of plants, their variations, and the best practices for cultivation and utilization. By studying these plants, we can adapt them to Morocco’s agricultural systems, optimizing their productivity and potential for enhancing the welfare of the population.

In this context, an ethnopharmacological study was undertaken in the Chaouia-Ouardigha region of Morocco. This area, known for its deep-rooted traditions and local knowledge, provided an ideal setting to explore the use of plants that have been part of the region’s cultural heritage for generations. The study focused on four of the most widely known medicinal and aromatic plants, whose use is still prevalent in local herbal medicine. To gather meaningful data, a questionnaire was distributed to local herbalists, who are the custodians of this valuable knowledge. The results of this survey offer profound insights into the practices and customs surrounding the use of these plants. They reveal not only the depth of traditional knowledge passed down through generations but also the practical applications of these plants in the region’s healthcare practices.

This ethnopharmacological data serves as an invaluable resource for understanding how these plants are used in local medicine and their potential role in modern pharmacology. It provides a foundation for further scientific exploration into the medicinal and aromatic properties of these plants. By documenting this local knowledge, 514the study also opens the door for future research and innovation in the field of natural medicine, with the potential to contribute to the development of new pharmaceutical products that could improve public health. Moreover, it highlights the importance of preserving this knowledge, as it holds the key not only to safeguarding local cultural practices but also to supporting sustainable agricultural and health practices in Morocco.

Abstract

Morocco, with its rich and varied natural landscape, stands as a country of remarkable botanical diversity – a true testament to nature’s generosity. The country is home to more than 4,200 plant species, of which over 800 are endemic, and approximately 600 are recognized for their medicinal and aromatic properties. This extraordinary wealth offers untapped potential, particularly in the areas of agriculture and healthcare, which are key to Morocco’s sustainable development. To fully harness the benefits of this plant diversity, it is imperative to advance the field of ethnopharmacology, a discipline that focuses on understanding the medicinal and aromatic properties of plants, their variations, and the best practices for cultivation and utilization. By studying these plants, we can adapt them to Morocco’s agricultural systems, optimizing their productivity and potential for enhancing the welfare of the population.

In this context, an ethnopharmacological study was undertaken in the Chaouia-Ouardigha region of Morocco. This area, known for its deep-rooted traditions and local knowledge, provided an ideal setting to explore the use of plants that have been part of the region’s cultural heritage for generations. The study focused on four of the most widely known medicinal and aromatic plants, whose use is still prevalent in local herbal medicine. To gather meaningful data, a questionnaire was distributed to local herbalists, who are the custodians of this valuable knowledge. The results of this survey offer profound insights into the practices and customs surrounding the use of these plants. They reveal not only the depth of traditional knowledge passed down through generations but also the practical applications of these plants in the region’s healthcare practices.

This ethnopharmacological data serves as an invaluable resource for understanding how these plants are used in local medicine and their potential role in modern pharmacology. It provides a foundation for further scientific exploration into the medicinal and aromatic properties of these plants. By documenting this local knowledge, 514the study also opens the door for future research and innovation in the field of natural medicine, with the potential to contribute to the development of new pharmaceutical products that could improve public health. Moreover, it highlights the importance of preserving this knowledge, as it holds the key not only to safeguarding local cultural practices but also to supporting sustainable agricultural and health practices in Morocco.

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Contents V
  3. Part I: Introduction
  4. Chapter 1 The importance of medicinal and aromatic plants for living things 1
  5. Chapter 2 Methods of obtaining drugs from medicinal and aromatic plants 41
  6. Chapter 3 Challenges encountered in growing medicinal and aromatic plants 119
  7. Chapter 4 Medicinal and aromatic plants that are toxic 155
  8. Part II: Effect of stress factors on medicinal and aromatic plants
  9. Chapter 5 Impact of drought stress on the medicinal and aromatic plants’ biochemistry 197
  10. Chapter 6 Impact of salinity stress on medicinal and aromatic plant biotechnology 229
  11. Chapter 7 Impact of heavy metal on the medicinal and aromatic plants’ biochemistry 265
  12. Chapter 8 Metabolic and hormonal responses of medicinal and aromatic plants to abiotic stress 299
  13. Part III: Pharmaceutical use of medicinal plants
  14. Chapter 9 Medicinal and aromatic plants used in burn treatment 327
  15. Chapter 10 Medicinal and aromatic plants used in respiratory diseases 363
  16. Chapter 11 Medicinal and aromatic plants with antioxidant properties 385
  17. Chapter 12 Medicinal and aromatic plants with antibacterial properties 417
  18. Part IV: Uses of medicinal and aromatic plants in other areas
  19. Chapter 13 Medicinal and aromatic plants used in cosmetics 457
  20. Chapter 14 Edible medicinal and aromatic plants 491
  21. Chapter 15 The mysteries of Moroccan nature: aromatic plants and their therapeutic medicinal properties 513
  22. Chapter 16 The use of medicinal and aromatic plants in aromatherapy 547
  23. Chapter 17 Medicinal and aromatic plants with antioxidant properties 581
  24. Chapter 18 Medicinal and aromatic plants with anti-parasitic properties 611
  25. Chapter 19 Medicinal and aromatic plants used in personal care products 651
  26. Chapter 20 Genotoxic effects of medicinal and aromatic plants 681
  27. Chapter 21 Applicability of start codon targeted (SCoT) polymorphism markers in determining genetic diversity in medicinal and aromatic plants 707
  28. Index 743
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783111469713-015

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Contents V
  3. Part I: Introduction
  4. Chapter 1 The importance of medicinal and aromatic plants for living things 1
  5. Chapter 2 Methods of obtaining drugs from medicinal and aromatic plants 41
  6. Chapter 3 Challenges encountered in growing medicinal and aromatic plants 119
  7. Chapter 4 Medicinal and aromatic plants that are toxic 155
  8. Part II: Effect of stress factors on medicinal and aromatic plants
  9. Chapter 5 Impact of drought stress on the medicinal and aromatic plants’ biochemistry 197
  10. Chapter 6 Impact of salinity stress on medicinal and aromatic plant biotechnology 229
  11. Chapter 7 Impact of heavy metal on the medicinal and aromatic plants’ biochemistry 265
  12. Chapter 8 Metabolic and hormonal responses of medicinal and aromatic plants to abiotic stress 299
  13. Part III: Pharmaceutical use of medicinal plants
  14. Chapter 9 Medicinal and aromatic plants used in burn treatment 327
  15. Chapter 10 Medicinal and aromatic plants used in respiratory diseases 363
  16. Chapter 11 Medicinal and aromatic plants with antioxidant properties 385
  17. Chapter 12 Medicinal and aromatic plants with antibacterial properties 417
  18. Part IV: Uses of medicinal and aromatic plants in other areas
  19. Chapter 13 Medicinal and aromatic plants used in cosmetics 457
  20. Chapter 14 Edible medicinal and aromatic plants 491
  21. Chapter 15 The mysteries of Moroccan nature: aromatic plants and their therapeutic medicinal properties 513
  22. Chapter 16 The use of medicinal and aromatic plants in aromatherapy 547
  23. Chapter 17 Medicinal and aromatic plants with antioxidant properties 581
  24. Chapter 18 Medicinal and aromatic plants with anti-parasitic properties 611
  25. Chapter 19 Medicinal and aromatic plants used in personal care products 651
  26. Chapter 20 Genotoxic effects of medicinal and aromatic plants 681
  27. Chapter 21 Applicability of start codon targeted (SCoT) polymorphism markers in determining genetic diversity in medicinal and aromatic plants 707
  28. Index 743
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