Ethnobotanical study of some medicinal plants used in traditional medicine in Mauritania: A case study at Ehel Adja Clinic in Nouakchott

Abstract

Medicinal plants have been traditionally used in Mauritania for generations, yet few comprehensive ethnobotanical studies have been conducted, particularly in Nouakchott. This study aims to document the traditional knowledge of medicinal plant use, focusing on seven species: Commiphora africana (A.Rich.) E,gl., Combretum glutinosum Perr.ex DC., Hibiscus sabdariffa L., Acacia senegal (L.) Willd., Tamarindus indica L., Senna italica Mill., and Moringa oleifera Lam., commonly used at the Ehel Adja Clinic in Nouakchott. Ethnobotanical data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 1050 informants, aged 20 to 70, from indigenous communities in Nouakchott. Data collection focused on the therapeutic uses of plants, preparation methods, and modes of administration. Quantitative indices such as frequency of citation (FC), informant consensus factor (ICF), use value (UV), and fidelity level (FL) were calculated to assess plant significance. Tamarindus indica L. and Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. were the most frequently used species, with UV values of 0.19 and 0.096, respectively. The plants were used to treat 15 illnesses, including skin conditions (ICF= 0.90) and digestive disorders (ICF= 1.00). Leaves (38%) and fruits (30%) were the most commonly used plant parts, with maceration being the primary method of preparation (60%) and oral administration the most common route (70%). This study highlights the prominent role of traditional medicine in Nouakchott, particularly in treating skin and digestive disorders. The findings provide a basis for future pharmacological studies and conservation efforts for these medicinal plants.