Amira Zammali¹, Saber Jedidi^1,2*, Houcem Sammari¹, Nourhène Dhawefi¹, Mourad Jridi¹, Hichem Sebai¹

¹University of Jendouba, Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Béja, Laboratory of Functional Physiology and Valorization of Bio-resources, Béja, Tunisia
²University of Jendouba, National Institute of Technologies and Sciences of Kef (INTeK), Kef, Tunisia

*Corresponding Author: Saber Jedidi, University of Jendouba, Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Béja, Laboratory of Functional Physiology and Valorization of Bio-resources, Béja, Tunisia.

Received: May 13, 2025; Published: May 26, 2025

Abstract

Background and objectives : Ethnopharmacology is a scientific discipline that concentrates on the traditional use of medicinal plants and natural remedies with the aim of discovering new pharmacological bioactive phytomolecules. In this context, we aimed on the valorization of the tree heather (Erica arborea L.) in northwestern Tunisia.

Methodology : An ethnopharmacological investigation was conducted among rural communities and herbalists in Nefza and Tabarka regions. The survey was based on a questionnaire focused on the use of Erica arborea in alternative medicine. After field data collection, it was processed and analyzed using Excel software, allowing the creation of graphic representations.

Results : The obtained results showed that the Erica arborea species is widely used in the regions of Tabarka and Nefza. It is particularly appreciated for the treatment of multiple pathologies, particularly that of the gastrointestinal system (43%). Importantly, the results also showed that the population in question used the different parts of the plant in its mature state for the treatment of flu (15%), diabetes (13%), respiratory and cardiovascular diseases (13%), stress-related disorders (10%), as well as a hormonal stimulation (4%). Additionally, we demonstrated that most of the respondents used the aerial parts, particularly the leaves and flowers, in the form of decoction, infusion and maceration.

Conclusion : Thus, the present ethnopharmacological study is interesting insofar as it allows us to guide us in targeting the pharmacological activities and therapeutic potential of Erica arborea. It highlights the intergenerational continuity in the transmission of knowledge related to the traditional uses and benefits of tree heather.

Keywords: Erica arborea; Ethnopharmacology; Traditional Preparation; Medicinal Applications; Northwestern Tunisia

References

1. Ghorbani A., et al. “Ethnobotany, ethnopharmacology and drug discovery”. Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences2 (2006): 109- 118.
2. Myers N., et al. “Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities”. Nature 403.6772 (2000): 853-858.
3. Thompson JD., et al. “Ecological differentiation of Mediterranean endemic plants”. Taxon 4 (2005): 967-976.
4. “Programme des Nations Unies pour l’Environnement” (2002).
5. You H., et al. “Plant diversity in different bioclimatic zones in Tunisia”. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity 9.1 (2016): 56-62.
6. Aït Youssef M. “Plantes médicinales de Kabylie”. Éditions Ibispress, Paris, France (2006).
7. La Mantia T., et al. “The role of traditional Erica arborea L. management practices in maintaining northeastern Sicily's cultural landscape”. Forest Ecology and Management 1-2 (2007): 63-70.
8. Amezouar F., et al. “Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Moroccan Erica arborea” Pathologie-Biologie,. 61.6 (2013): 254-258.
9. Guendouze-Bouchefa N., et al. “Phenolic compounds, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of three Ericaceae from Algeria”. Industrial Crops and Products 70 (2015): 459-466.
10. Chevalier A. “Note sur l'Erica arborea et sur l'emploi de ses souches dans la fabrication des pipes”. Journal d'Agriculture Traditionnelle et de Botanique Appliquée. 7.74 (1927): 649-656.
11. Rhattas M., et al. “Étude ethnobotanique des plantes médicinales dans le Parc National de Talassemtane (Rif occidental du Maroc)”. Journal of Applied Biosciences 97 (2016): 9187-9211.
12. Carvalho IS., et al. “Phenolic composition and antioxidant capacity of six Artemisia species”. Industrial crops and products 33.2 (2011): 382-388.
13. Neves JM., et al. “Ethnopharmacological notes about ancient uses of medicinal plants in Trás-os-Montes (northern of Portugal)”. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2 (2009): 270-283.
14. Gunther E. “Observations on the fatty constituents of marine plankton: Biology of the plankton”. Journal of Experimental Biology 2 (1934): 173-197.
15. Márquez-García B., et al. “Phenolics composition in Erica sp. differentially exposed to metal pollution in the Iberian Southwestern Pyritic Belt”. Bioresource Technology 100.1 (2009): 446-451.
16. Tresca G., et al. “Evaluating herbal medicine preparation from a traditional perspective: Insights from an ethnopharmaceutical survey in the Peruvian Amazon”. Anthropology & Medicine3 (2020): 268-284.
17. Jedidi S., et al. “Enquête ethnobotanique sur l’utilisation traditionnelle de la sauge officinale (Salvia officinalis ) dans les régions de Tabarka et Ain Draham (Nord-Ouest de la Tunisie)”. Journal of New Sciences of Agriculture and Biotechnology 18 (2018): 2718-2741.
18. Sammari H., et al. “Ethnobotanical survey on the traditional use of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum ) in the Jendouba Region (Northwest of Tunisia)”. Acta Scientific Nutritional Health 8.11 (2024): 65-70.
19. Dhawefi N., et al. “Ethnobotanical survey on the traditional use of Diospyros kaki fruits in Northwestern of Tunisia”. Acta Scientific Nutritional Health 11 (2024): 33-38.
20. El-Hilah F., et al. “Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used in the treatment of dermatological conditions in the Moroccan central plateau”. Plant Archives2 (2019): 2005-2017.
21. Benkhnigue O., et al. “Etude ethnobotanique des plantes médicinales dans la région de Mechraâ Bel Ksiri (Région du Gharb du Maroc)”. Acta Botánica Barcinonensia (2010): 191-216.
22. Jdaidi N and B Hasnaoui. “Étude floristique et ethnobotanique des plantes médicinales au nord-ouest de la Tunisie: cas de la communauté d’Ouled Sedra”. Journal of Advanced Research in Science and Technology1 (2016): 281-291.
23. Gherib I., et al. “Ethnobotanical knowledge of Achillea ligustica All. in El Tarf region (Northeastern Algeria)”. Ethnobotany Research and Applications 29 (2024): 1-16.
24. Nouri J., et al. “Ethnobotanical study on the valorization of a rare forest, fruit and medicinal plant (Prunus avium) in north-western Tunisia”. Ethnobotany Research and Applications 30 (2025): 1-12.
25. Sarri M., et al. “Traditional use of medicinal plants in a city at steppic character (M’sila, Algeria).” Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacognosy Research 2 (2014): 31-35.
26. Koudokpon H., et al. “Enquête ethnobotanique sur les plantes utilisées dans le traitement des infections au Sud-Bénin”. Health Sciences and Disease2 (2017).
27. Bitsindou M. “Survey on traditional herbal medicine in Kindamba and Odzala (Congo) and analysis of the convergence of the use of medicinal plants in Central Africa”. Doc (ined.). Univ. Free of Brussels (1986): 336-482.
28. Lahsissene H., et al. “Catalogue des plantes médicinales utilisées dans la région de Zaër (Maroc Occidental)”. Lejeunia, Revue de Botanique (2009).
29. Fontefrancesco MF., et al. “Renegotiating situativity: transformations of local herbal knowledge in a Western Alpine valley during the past 40 years”. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 1 (2020):1-20.
30. IUCN A. “Guide to medicinal plants in North Africa”. IUCN centre for Mediterranean Cooperation International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (2005): 17.
31. Bozkurt AE and Terzioğlu The aromatic-medicinal plant taxa of pure scots pine stands in Sürmene-Camburnu (Trabzon)”. IJSM 2 (2017): 517-529.
32. Uzun SP and Koca C. “Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants traded in herbal markets of Kahramanmaraş”. Plant Divers 6 (2020): 443-454.
33. Darias V., et al. “Plants used in urinary pathologies in the Canary Islands”. Pharmaceutical Biology 393 (2001):170-180.
34. Benarba B., et al. “Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by traditional healers in Mascara (North West of Algeria)”. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 175 (2015): 626-637.
35. Ay M., et al. “Antioxidant activity of Erica arborea”. Fitoterapia 7-8 (2007): 571-573.

Citation

Citation: Saber Jedidi. “Medicinal Investigation and Ethnopharmacological Applications of Erica Arborea L. in the Nefza and Tabarka Regions, Northwestern Tunisia".Acta Scientific Nutritional Health 9.6 (2025): 76-83.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2025 Saber Jedidi. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.