Medicinal plants used to boost immunity and decrease the intensity of infection caused by SARS-COV-2 in Morocco

Abstract

Background: Since appearance of (SARS-CoV-2) in China, December 2019, the pandemic of this human virus is accelerating its spread in Morocco as well as worldwide. The prevention of this disease by strengthening immunity through medicinal plants remains an essential choice of the Moroccan population.Methods: This work consists of a declarative survey by questionnaire divided into two parts: the first concerns the informant and the second concerns the plants used.Results: Among 267 participants from different regions of Morocco, 67.04% of respondents use medicinal plants to boost their immunity, disinfect the air, or treat respiratory tract infections that may be related to coronavirus. While 23% have little confidence in herbal medicine, especially in the face of Covid-19. Conclusions:The results obtained constitute a valuable source of information to prevent and inhibit the severity of the infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 by strengthening the immune system. The majority of the listed plants are rich in secondary metabolites and essential oils. They are known for their positive biological effects on respiratory functions. These plants may constitute a database for further research to conduct clinical trials to determine the most commonly used plants effectiveness.

Home-Based Remedies to Prevent COVID-19-Associated Risk of Infection, Admission, Severe Disease, and Death: A Nested Case-Control Study

“…In our study, we noted that 29.6% of participants used some form of home-based remedies. This was lower than the 80% reported by Villena-Tejada et al [ 10 ] in Peru, 64% reported by Al Najran et al [ 14 ] in Saudi Arabia, and 67% reported in Morocco [ 11 ]. This difference could possibly be explained by the composition of the study subjects as about 60% of our participants were healthcare workers.…”

“…The use of home-based remedies in the prevention and management of COVID-19 has been reported by other authors in other jurisdictions [ 10 , 11 ]. In our study, we noted that 29.6% of participants used some form of home-based remedies.…”

“…A recent study also documented the use of home-based medicinal plants in the prevention of COVID-19 as well as the treatment of its associated respiratory symptoms [ 10 ]. In Africa, a study in Morocco showed that more than half of the study subjects used home-based medicinal plants during this current pandemic to boost their immune system and treat respiratory tract infections that are associated with the COVID-19 infection [ 11 ]. However, some of these complementary measures for preventing the infection have been associated with side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea [ 12 ].…”

Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants of bejaia localities from algeria to prevent and treat coronavirus (COVID-19) infection shortened title: phytomedicine to manage COVID-19 pandemic

“…Our results are similar to those recorded by El Alami et al ( 2020 ) who identified 23 species belonging to 11 botanical families used by the Moroccan population during the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic (El Alami et al 2020 ). Belhaj and Zidane ( 2021 ) and Helali et al ( 2020 ) found also that Lamiaceae was most prevalent to prevent infection with COVID-19 (Belhaj and Zidane 2021 ; Helali et al 2020 ).…”

“…Zingiber officinale Roscoe and Eucalyptus globulus labill were cited by Belhaj and Zidane ( 2021 ) as plants capable of modulating voices related to immune system enhancement and progression of the pathogenesis of various pathologies towards COVID-19 (Belhaj and Zidane 2021 ). Villena-Tejada et al ( 2021 ) identified ginger and eucalyptus among the most utilized plants to treat and prevent of the respiratory symptoms related to COVID-19 in Cusco, Peru (Villena-Tejada et al 2021 ).…”