# An ethnopharmacological survey of herbal medicines use among pregnant and postpartum women in Souss Massa (Morocco)

## TL;DR

This study explores the use of herbal medicines by pregnant and postpartum women in Morocco's Souss Massa region, finding that nearly half use these remedies.

## Contribution

The study documents 35 medicinal plant species used during pregnancy in the Souss Massa region, highlighting local ethnopharmacological practices.

## Key findings

- 48% of pregnant and postpartum women in the study used herbal medicines.
- 35 medicinal plant species from 22 families were identified as being used during pregnancy.
- Oral administration was the most common method of herbal medicine use, employed by 90.9% of participants.

## Abstract

Pregnant women use medicinal plants for the treatment of illnesses associated with pregnancy. Women might resort to using medicinal plants because they are easily accessible and inexpensive. This study aims to determine the prevalence, to document and to analyse the traditional use of medicinal plants during pregnancy.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant and postpartum women attending the Obstetrics and Gynecology Service at the regional hospital center, Hassan II of Souss Massa region. An Ethnopharmacological survey was used for data collection. After collection, data were coded, entered, and analyzed by Jamovi Software.

A total of 420 women participated in this study. The mean age was 28.7 ± 6.35. The prevalence of herbal medicine consumption among pregnant and postpartum women is 48% with CI 95% (43.2%–52.7%). 35 varieties of medicinal plants from 22 families were used during pregnancy. Each of the other families had one species. Plant extracts were primarily prepared through decoction, infusion, maceration, Fumigation, extraction, and powder. The oral route was the most common route of administration used, about the number of plates used by pregnant and postpartum women (90.9%).

The utilization of herbal medicine among pregnant mothers in this study was high in the region of Souss Massa. This research expands our understanding of the role that different plant species have in the management of disorders that affect women during pregnancy.