Publications

Research outputs, reports, policy briefs and knowledge products from KIU scholars and partners.

2025 Faculty of Biomedical Sciences EURASIAN EXPERIMENT JOURNAL OF MEDICINE AND MEDICAL SCIENCES (EEJMMS)

Medicinal Plants in Wound Healing: Evidence Review

Odile Patrick Thalia

Wound healing is a complex biological process involving hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Medicinal plants, used since antiquity, remain a primary therapeutic option in many cultures due to their accessibility, affordability, and diverse pharmacological activities. Evidence shows that bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, saponins, and terpenes accelerate wound closure, reduce infection, and promote tissue regeneration through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and angiogenic mechanisms. Common plants such as Aloe vera, Calendula officinalis, honey, tea tree oil, and lavender have demonstrated significant wound-healing potential in experimental and clinical settings. Despite promising outcomes, challenges remain regarding safety, standardization, dosage, and drug interactions. This review highlights the historical background, mechanisms of action, phytochemical contributions, and clinical evidence supporting medicinal plants in wound management. It also underscores the need for further research, ethical considerations, and innovative formulations to integrate traditional knowledge with modern pharmacological approaches for safe and effective wound care.