Author(s): N. Ravi Babu

Abstract: Diabetes mellitus defined as metabolic disorder of multiple etiology characterized by chronic hyperglycemia along with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting due to the defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. The effects of diabetes mellitus include long– term damage, dysfunction and failure of various organs. Medicinal plants are the plants which are attributed as safe, natural, non-narcotic, having no side effects, cost effective and are primarily aimed for health of all. Ancient to modern times, medicinal plants have been used in virtually all cultures as a source of medicine. Around 20,000 medicinal plants are identified in India till today and are recorded in the literature. Today, only one-third of the identified medicinal plants are explored and are leveraged for curing various diseases. This paper discusses and presents studies in focus with the treatment of diabetes mellitus using some selected medicinal plants.