North Africa possesses a rich biodiversity and a long-standing tradition of using medicinal plants for healthcare, which has fueled a vast body of scientific research. However, the intellectual structure and historical evolution of this vibrant research field remain unmapped. This study employs a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of 1906 documents published between 2000 and 2024 to chart the conceptual, intellectual, and social landscape of medicinal plant research in North Africa. The analysis reveals a distinct three-phase evolution, transitioning from foundational ethnobotanical documentation to systematic phytochemical screening and advanced mechanistic studies. The field’s conceptual core is structured as a natural product discovery pipeline, with research leadership within the region clearly concentrated in Morocco and Algeria. At the same time, the collaboration network exhibits a fragmented “archipelago” structure. Our findings document the field’s scientific maturation while highlighting a critical “lab-to-clinic” gap, suggesting that future research should focus on clinical validation and translational studies to translate preclinical findings into evidence-based therapies.