An ethnobotanical study on traditional medicinal uses of Euphorbia resinifera by local communities in Beni Mellal-Khenifra, Morocco

Abstract

Abstract. Abd-dada H, Bouda S, Dani S, Bouchari MEH, Adiba A, Haddioui A. 2025. An ethnobotanical study on traditional medicinal uses of Euphorbia resinifera by local communities in Beni Mellal-Khenifra, Morocco. Asian J Ethnobiol 8: 230-244. Euphorbia resinifera O.Berg, endemic to the Beni Mellal-Khenifra region of Morocco, is a culturally and medicinally significant plant now threatened by overexploitation and habitat degradation. This study documented local knowledge, uses, and conservation perceptions through surveys with 515 respondents across five provinces. Socio-demographic data (age, gender, education, residence) and traditional knowledge were analyzed using descriptive statistics, principal component analysis (PCA), and Pearson correlations. Results revealed that knowledge is concentrated among older, rural, and less formally educated populations, while younger and urban respondents showed limited awareness. The latex and stems were the most cited parts, primarily used in treating digestive disorders, skin infections, and diabetes. PCA highlighted strong associations between education level, age, and knowledge distribution. Respondents also reported declining availability of E. resinifera, attributing it to unsustainable harvesting and habitat loss. This study demonstrates the erosion of ethnobotanical knowledge alongside ecological threats to E. resinifera. Safeguarding this heritage requires integrated strategies, including awareness campaigns, sustainable harvesting practices, and in situ and ex situ conservation. Documenting traditional uses not only supports biodiversity management but also provides a basis for future pharmacological validation.