Herbal Interventions for Prevention and Management of High‐Altitude Sickness: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT

Although numerous pharmacotherpies are available for high‐altitude exposure, medicinal plants have gained attention as potential complementary interventions owing to their diverse pharmacological activities. This systematic review aims to synthesize the available evidences on herbal interventions for the prevention and management of high‐altitude sickness (HAS) and summarize their pharmacological mechanisms and therapeutic potential. The systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Literature searches were performed in PubMed, Google Scholar and ScienceDirect identifying 450 records for the search of studies evaluating medicinal plants, phytochemicals, or bioactive phytocompounds for altitude‐associated disorders. A qualitative narrative synthesis was performed owing to substantial methodological heterogeneity. In total, 164 articles that met the eligibility criteria were included.The included studies demonstrated that several medicinal plants, including Withania somnifera , Emblica officinalis , Bacopa monnieri , Ocimum sanctum , Ophiocordyceps sinensis , etc., which possess antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, adaptogenic, immunomodulatory and cardiopulmonary protective properties may enhance acclimatization by reducing oxidative stress, regulating inflammatory responses, improving mitochondrial energy metabolism, and preserving cellular homeostasis under hypoxic conditions. The available evidences on phytotherapy for HAS remain heterogeneous, and further well‐designed pre‐clinical and clinical studies are required to establish their efficacy, safety, optimal dosage, and mechanisms of action.