Traditional Practices and Ethnomedicinal Insights into the Preparation and Use of Fermented Butter "Smen" Among Rural Communities in a Developing Country

In rural regions of developing countries such as Morocco, a significant portion of the population relies on traditional remedies like Smen (fermented butter or ghee) for managing health issues, primarily due to their accessibility and affordability. Traditional healing practices often precede formal medical consultation, with knowledge passed down orally through generations rather than being systematically documented.

This novel qualitative ethnomedicinal study aimed to investigate traditional medicinal uses of Smen and identify its bioactive components in Northern Morocco. Conducted between March and April 2022, the study engaged 630 elderly participants through semi-structured interviews. The responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented as percentages corresponding to each survey item.

The results revealed that 66.5% of participants recognized the therapeutic value of Smen, with this knowledge primarily inherited from older generations. Smen was traditionally used to treat a range of ailments, including hemorrhoids, the common cold, detoxification, rheumatism, and skin injuries such as wounds and burns.

The findings underscore striking parallels between Moroccan ethnomedicinal practices and systems like Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India. Historically, Smen has held dual significance in culinary and medicinal applications, reflecting its deep-rooted cultural value. The breadth of its traditional uses highlights the potential for developing ghee-based therapeutic formulations with fewer side effects than many conventional medicines.

Source:

 J Med Food. 2024 Nov;27(11):1133–1139. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2024.0087. Epub 2024 Sep 6. PMID: 39239716.