Roots, leaves, and fruits of Himachal Pradesh herbs are traditionally used for diabetes management

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Frontiers in Medicine Published June 1, 2026 Medically reviewed June 1, 2026 Study authors: Mehak Thakur, Szilvia Várallyay, Brigitta Tóth, Diána Ungai, Tejas Suthar, Béla Kovács, Endre Harsán… DOI ↗ By Dr. Amelia Tan, PhD · Internal Medicine & Chronic Disease

Key Takeaway

Note traditional use of Himachal Pradesh herbs for diabetes management requires further molecular validation.

This narrative review evaluates the ethnomedicinal use of traditional antidiabetic medicinal plants found in Himachal Pradesh, India. The scope covers the usage patterns of 80 ethnomedicinal herbs collected from this region. The authors synthesize data on plant part usage, noting that roots (17%), leaves (24%), fruits (15%), bark (13%), whole plants (3%), and flowers (3%) are the primary components utilized. No specific primary outcomes or adverse event data were reported for these preparations. The review does not establish causal links between plant consumption and glycemic control. Instead, it describes the traditional practices and the potential for future therapeutic applications. The authors acknowledge the necessity for molecular docking analysis to validate these traditional claims scientifically. Additionally, the text emphasizes the importance of conservation and sustainable utilization of these indigenous plant resources to prevent depletion. This information is intended to inform future research directions rather than current clinical practice guidelines.

Study Details

Study typeSystematic review

EvidenceLevel 1

PublishedMay 2026

View Original Abstract ↓

Diabetes mellitus is a rapidly increasing lifestyle disorder posing a serious global health threat. This review specifically focuses on indigenous medicinal plants of Himachal Pradesh, India, a region rich in ethnomedicinal diversity. The primary objective of this review is to systematically compile and analyze the ethnomedicinal, phytochemical, and pharmacological evidence of antidiabetic plants used in this region. Data were collected from various scientific sources including Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, books, and other relevant literature from published studies spanning the period from 1995 to 2025. According to literature, 80 ethnomedicinal herbs are believed to be effective in treating diabetes. For the preparation of natural remedies, different plant parts were often used such as roots (17%), leaves (24%), fruits (15%), bark (13%), whole plants (3%), and flowers (3%). These plants are widely used in the traditional healthcare practices of Himachal Pradesh. Furthermore, the review highlights traditionally used medicinal plants for diabetes management, along with the reported phytochemicals responsible for their antidiabetic activity. Moreover, available preclinical in-vivo studies on selected plants have been included to support their therapeutic potential. Furthermore, we suggest that future studies should include molecular docking analysis of the reported antidiabetic phytochemicals to better understand their mechanism of action at the molecular level. Additionally, conservation and sustainable utilization of these indigenous plant resources are crucial for future therapeutic applications.