Traditional use of medicinal plants for respiratory diseases in Al Hoceïma (Northern Morocco): Urban and protected areas

¹ Research Unit in Applied Chemistry, FSTH, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco.
² Bioactives and Environmental Health Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Moulay Ismail University, B.P. 11201, Meknes, Morocco.
³ Biology, Environment and Sustainable Development Laboratory, Higher School of Teachers (ENS), Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan 93000, Morocco.
⁴ Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

Al Hoceïma, located along the Mediterranean coast of Northern Morocco, has its own unique ecological duality, featuring both an Al Hoceima national park and urban areas (AL Hoceima). Respiratory diseases are among the major health issues in the region, particularly during the cold season. To treat such diseases, the population uses two types of medicine: traditional and herbal. The objectives of the current study are to determine and compare the various medicinal plants used in treating respiratory disorders between the two ecological zones. For this study, ethnobotanical investigation was carried out from October 2025 to December 2025 through the use of structured questionnaires. Altogether, 31 plant species were documented with Lamiaceae being the most common among them. The most used part of the plant was the leaf. Regarding the informant profiles, females (67.6%) use medicinal plants more than males (32.4%) do. The traditional knowledge is low among the younger generation. Moreover, the fact that most of the plants used are wild species has generated concerns about the management and conservation of resources within the Al-Hoceima National Park.