A Comprehensive review on Traditional Medicines for Wound Healing

Wound healing is a critical biological process that restores the integrity of the skin after injuries, which are classified based on depth and severity, ranging from superficial abrasions to complex chronic wounds. The process involves four phases: hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation and remodeling, driven by cellular, enzymatic, and molecular mechanisms. Despite the advancements in medicine, chronic wounds continue to pose challenges because the underlying pathophysiology is one of diabetes or cardiovascular diseases, characterized by prolonged healing, patient discomfort, and high healthcare costs. This review emphasizes the key role that biomaterials, natural and synthetic polymers, bioactive compounds, and innovative dressings play in enhancing wound care. Traditional medicinal herbs like Manuka honey and curcumin, derived from aloe vera plants, and birch tree bark have been reported for remarkable therapeutic potential, partly because of their anti- inflammatory activity, antibacterial activity, and regenerative ability to control inflammation, stimulate neo angiogenesis, and favor the remodeling of the extracellular matrix. Optimization and alignment of drug development and design strategies with translational in vivo models will better suit specific wound indications where imaging-based endpoint assessments prove most useful. It involves integrating the traditional remedy with advanced biomaterials for the better management of chronic wounds by encouraging holistic approaches to wound care and the acceleration of healing processes.