Ethnobotanical investigation of herbal food additives of Morocco used as natural dyes

We undertook this ethnobotanical study for identifying and valorising medicinal plants exploited as food additives, to establish a database of aromatic used additives in traditional phytotherapy Morocco (Fez-Meknes, Beni-Mellal, Khenifra, Draa-Tafilalt). Methods: An investigation was carried out among 200 main actors medicine (herbalists, healers, collectors, researchers) Meknes, El Hajeb, Taza, Azrou, Ain Leuh, Boulemane, Ifrane, M'rirt, Midelt; data on the use especially those tinctorial collected via questionnaire sheets. The then subjected principal component analysis. Results: population surveyed three major purposes: therapeutic (39.60%), (35.84%) cosmetics (24.56%). Majority (33.01%) people provide aroma, followed by dyes (25.24%), spices (24.27%) preservative (17.48%). identified 56 79 species identified. From botanical point view, listed are divided into 35 families. most represented families Asteraceae (16.55%), Lamiaceae (15.17%), Punicaceae (7.24%) Zingiberaccea (7.24%). survey confirmed excessive Punica granatum L., Curcuma longa Matricaria camomilla Crocus sativus L. Carthamus tinctorius Conclusion: This showed that indigenous populations Pre-Rif, Middle Atlas High regions natural dyes. wealth is accompanied knowledge practices acquired inhabitants over centuries. recommend documented be evaluated their safety efficiency order conclusively demonstrate beneficial effects health.