Diabetes mellitus is a lifestyle disorder that is rapidly becoming a major threat to populations all over the globe. Medical plants play an important role in the management of diabetes mellitus especially in developing countries where resources are meager. Herbal medicines have been the highly esteemed source of medicine throughout human history. Some of these herbal plants and their active chemical constituents which have a role in the management of diabetes mellitus are compiled here and discussed in this review. © 2016, Global Research Online. All rights reserved.