ANTI-DIABETIC MEDICINAL PLANTS USED BY INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF RANCHI DISTRICT OF JHARKHAND, INDIA

Farha Fatma* and Anil Kumar

ABSTRACT

Plants have been the major source of drugs in Indian system of medicine and other ancient system in the world. Charak Samhita and Sushrut Samhita give extensive description on various medicinal herbs. Diabetes is one of the leading disease of the world. It is a long term condition that causes high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period. This is due to either the pancreas not producing enough insulin or the cells of the body not responding properly to the insulin produced. This paper enumerates traditional uses of various plant species belonging to few genera, which are used by tribal people of Ranchi District of Jharkhand for the treatment of diabetes. There are several glucose lowering drugs in the market, however they may have side effects such as liver cell injury, headache, dizziness and digestive discomfort etc. The natural medications with anti-diabetic activity are widely formulated because they are better compatible with human body, easily available and less side effects.

Keywords: Ethno-medicinal, diabetes, antidiabetic, treatment, herbal.