Traditional Practices and Ethnomedicinal Insights into the Preparation of Fermented Butter “Smen” Among Rural Communities in Developing Countries

In rural regions of developing countries such as Morocco, a significant proportion of the population relies on natural remedies like Smen (fermented butter or ghee) due to their affordability, accessibility, and cultural familiarity. Traditional practices are often applied before seeking formal medical care. Despite its widespread use, knowledge of Smen’s medicinal properties has largely been transmitted orally, with limited scientific documentation.

A recent qualitative ethnomedicinal study aimed to systematically evaluate the traditional medicinal uses of Smen and its bioactive properties in Northern Morocco. The study was conducted through semi-structured interviews with 630 elderly participants between March and April 2022. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, with findings expressed as percentages of participants endorsing each use.

Key Findings:

• 66.5% of respondents acknowledged the health benefits of Smen, knowledge inherited from previous generations.
• Smen was traditionally used to address a variety of ailments, including hemorrhoids, common colds, detoxification, rheumatism, and wounds or burns.
• The study highlighted parallels between Moroccan ethnomedicinal practices and Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of traditional medicine, emphasizing the dual role of Smen as both a culinary and therapeutic agent.

These findings underscore the cultural and medicinal significance of Smen in rural Moroccan communities. The documented ethnomedicinal uses may inform the development of ghee-based therapeutics, potentially offering effective remedies with fewer adverse effects compared to conventional medicines.