eng Oriental Scientific Publishing Company Biomedical and Pharmacology Journal 0974-6242 2026-03-20 19 1 524 534 10.13005/bpj/3371 70193 article Milouda Chebabe 1 Khaddouj El-Goundali 1 Aslaou Fatima 3 Kawtar Chafik 2 Lalla Asmaa Katir Masnaoui 1 Msatfa Nabila 1 Department of Health Sciences and Technologies, Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Hassan First University of Settat, Settat, Morocco. Department of Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques (ISPITS), Rabat, Morocco. Department of Biology and Health, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, Morocco. The use of aromatic and medicinal plants (AMPs) constitutes a cornerstone of Morocco's intangible cultural heritage and serves as a primary healthcare resource, particularly for women managing intimate and reproductive health concerns. This study conducted a focused ethnobotanical investigation to document and quantitatively analyze the specialized plant knowledge held by women in the Settatregion, Morocco for gynecological, obstetric, and dermatological care. A cross-sectional survey via structured interviews with 200 women was employed. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and key quantitative ethnobotanical indices: Use Value (UV), Informant Consensus Factor (FIC), and Fidelity Level (FL%). The research documented 27 plant species across 16 botanical families. The Lamiaceae family was the most prevalent (22.2% of species) and culturally significant, with 76.5% of respondents using its species. Management of dysmenorrhea emerged as the most common and consensual therapeutic application (FIC = 0.89), addressed by nine species, most notably Mentha pulegium (UV = 0.78) and Ajuga iva (FL = 97%). Decoction was the predominant preparation method. Deep ethnobotanical expertise was concentrated among older, married women with limited formal education, underscoring the vulnerability of this knowledge system to socio-cultural erosion. The findings not only catalog a vital repository of traditional knowledge but also, through quantitative prioritization, identify key species for pharmacological validation and conservation. This work provides a critical foundation for initiatives aimed at preserving biocultural heritage and thoughtfully integrating evidence-based traditional practices into women's primary healthcare frameworks. https://biomedpharmajournal.org/vol19no1/medicinal-plants-used-by-women-in-moroccos-settat-region-for-gynecological-and-dermatological-care/ Medicinal plants Morocco Pharmacology Traditional knowledge Quantitative ethnobotany Women's health