<p>This ethnobotanical–ethnopharmacological study investigates how the people of Nouakchott, Mauritania, use medicinal herbs for treating gastrointestinal problems. This study, conducted between 2023 and 2024, involved 40 participants from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds including traditional healers who participated in ethnobotanical surveys in nine Nouakchott areas. To accomplish the survey, semi-structured interviews were used to gather data on medicinal plants, and indices such as Fidelity Level (FL), Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), and Use Value (UV) were used for analysis. The cultural and medicinal significance of plants used to treat digestive disorders was measured by these criteria. Local populations in Nouakchott city used a variety of herbs for treating gastrointestinal problems. The results of the study, 35 plant species from 18 families were identified; the most commonly mentioned families were Fabaceae (28.94%) and Combretaceae (15.78%). Oral administration was dominant, with leaves being the most frequently employed preparation method (54.76%), followed by infusion (46%). The high ICF values for digestive diseases, including as diarrhea and abdominal pain, demonstrated wide consensus on the successful treatment of certain plants for these conditions. With high FL ratings, <i>Adansonia digitata</i> and <i>Ziziphus mauritiana</i> were the most often utilized species for treating certain digestive diseases, underscoring their significance in traditional medicine. Within the cultural background of Mauritania, this study offers valuable visions for preserving and scientifically evaluating traditional practices.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>