Medicinal Plant-Based Naturopathy and Its Therapeutic Potential: A Systematic Review of Clinical and Life Science Evidence

Medicinal plants have been used in traditional healthcare practices and remain a significant source of therapeutic agents, largely due to diverse bioactive phytochemicals with pharmacological properties relevant to disease prevention and management. Scientific interest in medicinal plant-based naturopathy has increased in recent years, prompting systematic investigations through clinical and life science research to evaluate therapeutic effectiveness and underlying mechanisms. This systematic review aimed to assess the therapeutic potential of medicinal plant-based naturopathy by examining clinical and experimental evidence related to plant-derived interventions for various health conditions. A structured literature search was conducted across major databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, to identify studies published between 2014 and 2026, and studies were screened based on predefined inclusion criteria focusing on medicinal plant interventions. Eligible studies included randomised controlled trials, placebo-controlled clinical trials, and supporting life science research, with data extracted and analysed qualitatively to summarise study characteristics, therapeutic outcomes, and methodological aspects. Methodological quality and potential bias were assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias framework, with results visualised using the ROBviz tool. This systematic review was prospectively registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) under registration number CRD420261333889. Evidence from the included studies indicates that several medicinal plants demonstrate potential in managing metabolic disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, musculoskeletal pain, reproductive health conditions, and psychological stress, primarily through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and adaptogenic mechanisms. Further large-scale clinical studies are required to strengthen the evidence base.