Rooted in healing: Traditional medicinal plants and modern insights for diabetes mellitus care

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus, a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia, continues to pose a significant global health challenge. While pharmacological interventions remain the cornerstone of diabetes management, they are often associated with adverse effects and limited accessibility in resource-poor settings. This review, titled "Rooted in Healing", explores the convergence of traditional herbal wisdom and modern biomedical research in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. A wide range of medicinal plants have demonstrated antidiabetic properties through mechanisms such as insulin secretion enhancement, glucose uptake promotion, and inhibition of carbohydrate-digesting enzymes. Drawing from ethnobotanical records, phytochemical analyses, and recent clinical trials, this review highlights the therapeutic potential and biochemical basis of plant-based treatments. The findings emphasize the importance of integrating traditional plant-based practices with contemporary scientific validation to develop safe, effective, and accessible treatments for diabetes care.