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Medicinal Plants in Wound Healing: Evidence Review
Author: Odile Patrick Thalia
Publisher: EURASIAN EXPERIMENT JOURNAL OF MEDICINE AND MEDICAL SCIENCES (EEJMMS)
Published: 2025
Section: Faculty of Biomedical Sciences
Abstract
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.