AMERICAN JOURNAL OF FOOD AND NUTRITION

Print: ISSN 2157-0167, Online: ISSN 2157-1317, doi:10.5251/ajfn.2011.1.3.126.127

© 2011, ScienceHuβ, http://www.scihub.org/AJFN

Using medicinal plants in Algeria

Reguieg L.
E.N.S.A., Phytotechnie, El-Harrach, 16200, Algiers, Algeria
ABSTRACT
Since the earliest times, the concern of man has been to satisfy his food needs Thereby he
developed an intimate relationship with the environment surrounding him to heal, he learned at
his expense to discern plant and animal resources necessary for his survival. The man gave
himself up to the formidable learning of the medicinal properties of plants such attempt cost him
sometimes the life, more fortunately saved him. In Algeria, collection of medicinal and aromatic
plants to extract, after distillation, essential oils for the manufacture of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals
as well as flavors for food products, is a virgin field. The distillation of plants is sufficiently known,
but remains largely untapped, despite the availability in Algeria of large tracts of forests and
fields, whose territory covers important plant resources distributed on the coasts, plains,
mountains, steppes, the Sahara and around water points. We explain here the main uses of this
soft medicine in Algeria

Keywords: Natural life, medicinal plants, Algerian territory, natural resource

INTRODUCTION
Medicinal plants are traditionally used for a very long
time to treat common illnesses and more serious.
Their actions come from their chemical compounds:
primary and secondary metabolites, and no doubt
from the synergy between the various compounds
present. For centuries, in Algeria as in all countries of
the Maghreb, medicinal and aromatic plants are used
mainly in rural areas by the elderly who are still
experiencing some herbal tea recipes.
In the Hoggar (Great Desert) and in the absence of
doctors in some isolated areas, the Touareg can be
treated with medicinal and aromatic plants which they
know the secret handed down from fatherto son.
Main species used in Algeria: Among medicinal
plants used in Algeria, we distinguish two main
groups
Group 1: with very few wild species very
undemanding and growing in very diverse soil and
climatic regions ranging from sub-humid zone not far
from the Mediterranean coast (mustard, chamomile,
lavender ... ..) to the arid and semi arid areas of the
far South with hot and dry climate (mugwort, ….)
Group 2: This group includes species demanding
mostly water and fertilizer and grown on small and
medium areas (mint, lemon verbena, rosemary ... ...).
These plants require maintenance and are used for
specific market purposes.
Culture:
Group 2 species are sometimes found on the edges
of gardens or low fertilized plots reserved for them, in
the south, along the irrigation channel and understory
of the date palm.
Harvest:
for species group 1, picking or hand pulling is done
randomly and in anarchic manner resulting in loss of
flowers, seeds and causing injuries to the mother
plants and twigs.
Moreover, the practice of natural pasture can cause a
significant loss of vegetation in some mountainous
areas.
Harvesting is often random and obeys no rule
regarding the time, the plant stage and especially the
conservation of the plant; if it is not consumed
immediately, there is a risk of loss of qualitative value
of the product.
Packaging and use:
The vast majority of species are harvested and dried
in the open air, then delivered and commercialized in
bulk
Others go through industrial transformation (powder,
syrup ...) like Nigel, henna, fenugreek and other
aromatic species used mainly for cooking (coriander,
fennel, cumin, pepper. ...). The current collection and
preservation violates any principle or rule, it is the
 Am. J. Food. Nutr, 2011, 1(3): 126-127

same for how to prepare remedies (dose,
combination…), which varies by region
For some areas where, for many farmers, this is the
first thing to heal, medical services being located at
large distances and high cost of synthetic drugs often
inaccessible.
Plants are used to heal wounds, ulcers, abdominal
pains, insect bites, eye infections, bleeding and
hemorrhaging. Very often against fever, flu,
headaches, teeth pain, physical and nervous fatigue.
Preparation: The plants are used as herbal tea
(infusion, decoction)
- In powder alone or in combination with meals
or other species (Fenugreek)
CONCLUSION AND DEVELOPMENT PROSPECTS
Algeria, thanks to its different bioclimatic zones
(humid, sub humid, semiarid, arid or desert) with
cold, wet, dry, mild winters; and its geographical
situation, has a privileged place for exploitation,
culture, production and export of medicinal and
aromatic plants very diverse in their raw or processed
states.
However, the reorganization of the sector with the
establishment of regulations setting the procedures
for harvesting, preparation and sale on the local or
international market is highly desirable
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