Phytotherapy in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Diabetes is becoming a scourge of both developed and resource-poor countries. The disease seriously threatens the mere existence and economic survival of many resource-poor countries. The major question in the care of diabetes, especially Type 1 diabetes has to do with the availability and affordability of insulin. Insulin is a very expensive drug for poor countries and many diabetic patients (especially in remote areas) have great difficulty in obtaining supplies. As an alternative, they make recourse to traditional medicine. A good number of plants/herbal preparations have been reported effective in the management of diabetes. Some of these plants include Anacardium occidentale, Bridelia feruginea, Dioscorea dumetorum, Musa sapientum, Vernonia amygdalina, etc. The use of phytotherapy to treat human diseases has its roots in pre-historical times. Indigenous communities have long used plant extracts to treat illnesses including diabetes. This work highlights some of these plants and their potential benefit in the management of diabetes.