The Intersection of Herbal Medicine and Public Health Policy in Diabetes Management                                                                               

Bwanbale Geoffrey David

Faculty of Pharmacy Kampala International University Uganda

ABSTRACT

Diabetes mellitus (DM), particularly Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), continues to pose a global public health crisis due to its rising prevalence, associated complications, and treatment costs. While modern pharmacological interventions dominate current diabetes management strategies, herbal medicine has re-emerged as a potentially complementary or alternative approach, especially in resource-constrained settings and among culturally diverse populations. This paper examines the intersection of herbal medicine and public health policy in the context of diabetes care. It examines the historical and contemporary use of herbal treatments, evaluates regulatory and policy frameworks in the United States and other contexts, and highlights cultural perspectives and research gaps. By analyzing challenges in integrating herbal medicine into formal healthcare systems, ranging from safety concerns to lack of standardization, this study advocates for collaborative frameworks that include both herbal practitioners and biomedical health professionals. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for policy reforms, inclusive research, and culturally competent care to ensure equitable, safe, and effective diabetes management strategies for all populations.

Keywords: Herbal medicine; diabetes mellitus; Type 2 diabetes; public health policy; traditional medicine; integrative healthcare; regulatory frameworks.

CITE AS: Bwanbale Geoffrey David (2025). The Intersection of Herbal Medicine and Public Health Policy in Diabetes Management. IDOSR JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY, BIOTECHNOLOGY AND ALLIED FIELDS 10(1):36-43. https://doi.org/10.59298/IDOSR/JBBAF/2025/1013643