Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal Plants from El M’Ghair (Algeria) Used in the Treatment of Nephrolithiasis, Cirrhosis, Anemia, Leukemia, Psoriasis and Eczema

Introduction: Traditional medicinal plants are widely used to treat chronic and dermatological diseases; however, ethnobotanical information from the El M'Ghair region of the Algerian Sahara remains scarce. To the best of our knowledge, no comprehensive ethnobotanical survey has previously documented the medicinal plants traditionally used in this region for the treatment of nephrolithiasis, liver cirrhosis, anemia, leukemia, psoriasis, and eczema. Therefore, this study aimed to document these medicinal plants and compare their traditional uses with the available scientific evidence. Materials and Methods: An ethnobotanical survey was conducted in the El M’Ghair region and involved face-to-face interviews with herbalists and traditional healers regarding the medicinal plants used to treat the mentioned diseases. Results: The majority of herbal practitioners interviewed were men, predominantly over the age of 30. A total of 39 medicinal plant species were reported for treating these diseases. According to the survey, Spergularia rubra and Hordeum vulgare were most frequently recommended for nephrolithiasis, while Cichorium intybus, Matricaria chamomilla, and Curcuma longa were commonly used for liver cirrhosis. For anemia, Ceratonia siliqua and Lens culinaris were widely cited. Plants such as Matricaria chamomilla, Aloe vera, and Curcuma longa were used to alleviate symptoms of eczema and psoriasis. Additionally, some plants were noted for their effects on other diseases, such as Ephedra alata for cancer treatment. Conclusion: The inventory of medicinal plant species reported in this study demonstrates the richness of traditional knowledge in the Sahara region. Some species, particularly those without prior pharmacological documentation, may serve as promising candidates for future drug discovery.