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VOL. 11, ISSUE 2 (2026)
Insect's therapeutic potential and their primary use in traditional medicine in India
Authors
Chaitali Mahesh Kulkarni
Abstract
In India, traditional medicine, exemplified by Ayurveda, Siddha, and
Unani, has used natural resources heavily in the provision of health care. The
most notable of them is the application of insects in treatment (entomotherapy)
which is under-researched but a valuable practice, especially in tribal and
rural societies. This review outlines the therapeutic potential of insects and
their uses in traditional Indian medicine with an emphasis on ethnomedicinal
uses, bioactive compounds, and scientific validation. Major medicinal insects
used include Apis cerana indica, Oecophylla smaragdina, Bombyx mori,
Mylabris phalerata, Odontotermes obesus and Laccifer lacca,
which are frequently used to treat wounds, respiratory illnesses, skin
diseases, and nutritional disorders. They have therapeutic effects credited to
their bioactive constituents such as peptides, enzymes, lipids and compounds
derived by chitin that have antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and
anti-cancer effects. Although there are encouraging traditional and preliminary
scientific results, the incorporation of insect-based therapeutics into modern
medicine is minimal because of the safety, toxicity, standardization, and
limited clinical validation. Such products are not yet well-developed by regulatory
frameworks. Insects provide a new and sustainable source of drug discovery, but
systematic studies, safety assessment, and regulatory backup are necessary to
achieve a transition between traditional knowledge into evidence-based
therapeutic uses.
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Pages:107-110
How to cite this article:
Chaitali Mahesh Kulkarni "Insect's therapeutic potential and their primary use in traditional medicine in India". International Journal of Entomology Research, Vol 11, Issue 2, 2026, Pages 107-110
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