Tasawar Iqbal 1, Sidra Altaf 2*, Mahvish Fatima 3, Rasheeka Rasheed 4, Kinza Laraib 5, Muhammad Azam 6, Muniba Karamat 5, Ume Salma 4 and Sama Usman 5
1Institute of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan 2Department of Pharmacy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan 3Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan 4Department of Zoology, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan 5Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan 6Department of Botany, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
*Corresponding author: sidra.altaf@uaf.edu.pk
Parasitic foodborne illnesses continue to pose a worldwide health problem, particularly in areas where people have limited access to medical services. The drawbacks of traditional pharmaceutical treatments, such as the development of drug resistance and negative health effects, require the investigation into alternative remedies. Medicinal plants, which have a long tradition in healing methods, are being seen as potentially valuable for addressing this problem. These plants contain a wide range of biologically active substances such as alkaloids, flavonoids and terpenoids, which possess strong anti-parasitic properties. Though, there are obstacles to be faced in the process of incorporating medicinal plants into modern medicine. To guarantee the safety and effectiveness of these natural remedies, it is crucial to have standardization, quality control and regulatory measures in place. We highlight the value of medicinal plants in addressing foodborne diseases caused by parasites and emphasize the importance of ongoing research and partnership between traditional and modern medicine. This article explores the potential use of medicinal plants to treat parasitic foodborne diseases. It examines their historical usage, how they work and their proven effectiveness. It ensures that diverse populations can access effective treatments, thus promoting global health equity. In order to address the obstacles associated with medicinal plant-based therapies, it is imperative to expand research efforts and integrate traditional knowledge into modern healthcare practices to facilitate advancements in the field. Through this process, we can effectively harness the capabilities of medicinal plants, promoting overall health and well-being on a global scale in the continuous battle against parasitic infections.