ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDY OF ASTERACEAE FROM EL KALA NATIONAL PARK (NORTH-EAST OF ALGERIA)

Abstract

In order to promote the flora and the ethnobotanical heritage of Algeria, special attention was given to the Asteraceae family. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted among a representative sample of the rural population of El Kala National Park and a total of 360 survey forms have been completed. 20 species divided into 17 genera were listed; also, the study found that the treatment of diseases of the digestive tract is the most common (26.09%). In addition, the leaf is the most used organ (27.03%), and the decoction (29.33%) is the method of preparation most used for the majority of remedies. In the end, the most cited species are: Matricaria chamomilla, Cynara cardunculus, Artemisia herba-alba, Cynara scolymus, Artemisia arborescens, Lactuca sativa, Helminthotheca echioides and Atractylis gummifera