Abstract

According to the World Health Organization, 80% of the population in developing countries is engaged in traditional medicine. Consequently, the issue of poisoning by plants is not negligible. The objective of this study is to evaluatethe therapeutic and toxicological knowledge of herbalists of the most reported plants in the anti-poison center of Morocco. Field study by direct interview with 20 herbalists of the Rabat-Témara region to assess their therapeutic and toxicological knowledge of the most reported plants in the anti-poison center of Morocco, as well as the conditions of their sale, through a questionnaire. A total of 20 herbalists were accepted to participate in the study. Not all of them had a herbalist certificate and only two knew all the plants studied. The most recommended plant by herbalists to their clientele was Atractylis gummifera. Although the law prohibits the possession and sale of any toxic plant, the availability of these plants to the herbalists surveyed varies between 100% for A. gummifera and 0% for Hyoscyamus falezlez. None of the herbalists received notifications of cases of intoxication. Although the therapeutic knowledge of herbalists was well advanced, their toxicological knowledge was not, so we note that the majority of herbalists did not know with precision the possible side effects of the plants sold, or how they could be used safely. Although plants have real and beneficial effects, they are not devoid of side effects that can sometimes be fatal; hence the need to focus on regulation of the functions of the herbalist.

Key words: Herbalists, plants, phytotherapy, poisoning by plants.