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The Desert Spontaneous Plants Used in Saharan Phytotherapy: Case of Tidikelt Region



Author(s)

Aicha Blama Merzaia

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DOI:10.17265/1934-7375/2015.02.006

Agri-food Technologies Division, National Institute for Agronomic Research of Algeria (INRAA), Algiers 16200, Algeria

The local plant resources adapted to the desert harsh geomorphologicl environment are a landmark that characterizes the Saharan region: erg, dunes, and wadis. This work emphasizes on some results obtained through a study conducted in 2011, based on surveys and field observations in the Tidikelt oases (in Salah, wilaya of Tamenrasset) which is implanted in the south of Algeria. The objective was the study of traditional herbal medicine using the spontaneous medicinal herbs, which constitute one of the socio-cultural aspects of Saharan society in Algeria. Traditional medicine is one reflect of the knowledge and how to live of the local population. Desert people know the various herbs „Achebe‟, and its nomenclature. They indicated their site or places of local presence, as well as its own peculiarities and their uses. Our goal is to contribute in enhancing the interest of valorization of these plants in the therapeutic and eventually industrial uses. For that, we need to integrate this perspective into local economic development policies valuing the diversity of plant resources from Tidikelt in the Algerian Sahara.

Spontaneous medicinal herbs, Tidikelt, traditional herbal medicine, Sahara.