Traditional knowledge and reproductive health: A study of medicinal plants used by Traditional Gynecologists in the Souss Massa Region-Morocco

This ethnobotanical study reviews the traditional knowledge and medicinal practices of female healers in the Souss Massa region of southern Morocco, with a particular focus on the use of medicinal plants to treat gynecological and obstetric disorders. In a context where access to medical services is still limited, especially in rural areas, these traditional practitioners play a central role in women's reproductive health. The survey, conducted between 2023 and 2024 among 23 healers and 21 herbalists, identified 86 species of medicinal plants belonging to 40 botanical families, mainly Lamiaceae and Apiaceae. The most commonly treated diseases are urogenital infections (vaginitis, endometritis), dysmenorrhea, infertility, and insufficient breast milk production. Several specific traditional preparations have been listed, such as Alghlay, a decoction used to treat dysmenorrhea and cleanse the uterus; Msakhen, a warming mixture composed of 59 plant species prescribed to treat infertility; and Tfoussikha, an incense composed of 15 species used to treat infertility attributed to witchcraft or “tqaf.” Leaves (28.6%) and seeds (27%) are the most commonly used parts of plants, while powder (41.4%) and decoction (32.8%) are the predominant methods of preparation. Some remedies contain potentially toxic plants, such as Datura stramonium, Peganum harmala, and Nerium oleander, highlighting the importance of dosage control among traditional practitioners. Comparative analysis with ethnobotanical literature reveals that several therapeutic uses identified in this study, particularly aphrodisiac, galactagogue, and emmenagogue properties, had never been reported before. These results demonstrate the richness of local medicinal knowledge and highlight the need for further phytochemical and pharmacological research to validate and preserve these traditional practices, as well as to explore their potential for the development of new bioactive compounds.