Aromatic and Medicinal Plants of Tunisian Arid and Desert Zone Used in Traditional Medicine, for Drug Discovery and Biotechnological Applications

Abstract

Tunisian has a high diversity of plants as a result of the variation in topography climate and edaphic conditions of the country. Among these plants several aromatic and medicinal species are traditionally used in folk medicines to treat and/ or manage common ailments. Some others species are used in foods as spices and/ or in aromatherapy. The present chapter endeavors to highlight the botanical description, geographical distribution, ethno pharmacological uses of 45 species spread over 22 botanical families among those the most used in traditional medicine. Information on the chemical composition and biological activities of these species are also included in this chapter.