eng Oriental Scientific Publishing Company Biomedical and Pharmacology Journal 0974-6242 2026-03-20 19 1 785 795 10.13005/bpj/3392 71041 article Amina Essamett 1 Ilham Rhzali 2 Nada Belmejdoub 1 Hefdhallah Alaizari 1 Mohammed Ennouali 1 Mohammed Ouhssine 1 Laboratory of Natural Resources and Sustainable Development, Faculty of Science, Ibn Tofail University, Morocco Laboratory of Biology and Health, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, Morocco 3Laboratory of Plants, Animals productions and Agro-industry, Faculty of Science, Ibn Tofail University. Kenitra, Morocco In Morocco, medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) constitute a fundamental component of traditional healthcare. This study aimed to systematically document the ethnobotanical knowledge in the province of Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, a region where this biocultural heritage is under threat from modernization and generational knowledge erosion. Using standard ethnobotanical methodologies, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 150 individuals. Data on plant uses, preparation methods, and therapeutic applications were collected. Quantitative analysis included the calculation of the Use Value (UV) index to determine the cultural importance of species and botanical families. The results identified 32 species belonging to 14 families. The most represented were the Lamiaceae (11 species, or nearly 34.37%); the Asteraceae (5 species, 15.62%); and the Apiaceae (5 species, 15.62%). Quantitative analysis identified Mentha × piperita (UV=0.80) and Origanum compactum (UV=0.70) as the most culturally significant species, primarily used for digestive and respiratory ailments. The dominant preparation was infusion (42.3%), mainly administered orally as herbal tea (53%). This study confirms a rich and living ethnobotanical tradition in the Province of Kenitra, aligned with regional patterns. The quantitative identification of high-UV species provides a clear priority list for conservation and future pharmacological research. The findings underscore an urgent need for strategies to preserve this vulnerable knowledge through scientific validation, sustainable management, and intergenerational educational programs. https://biomedpharmajournal.org/vol19no1/ethnobotanical-survey-of-aromatic-and-medicinal-plants-used-in-kenitra-province-morocco/ Conservation Ethnobotany Lamiaceae Medicinal plants Traditional knowledge Use Value (UV)