Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana L): An Integrative Review on Its Nutritional, Ethnobotanical, and Pharmacological Applications

Abstract Finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.), an ancient cereal grain, holds immense nutritional and therapeutic significance, particularly in traditional and modern dietary systems. This review compiles and evaluates available literature on its multifaceted benefits and applications. The introduction highlights the global importance of finger millet as a climate-resilient crop and a sustainable alternative to staple cereals. The nutritional composition underscores its richness in carbohydrates, dietary fiber, essential amino acids, minerals (notably calcium and iron), polyphenols, and vitamins, which contribute to its role in health promotion. Ethnobotanical uses demonstrate its long-standing application in traditional medicine and as a staple food in several cultures, where it has been employed for managing conditions such as anemia, diabetes, and gastrointestinal disorders. Pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and cardioprotective properties, are critically reviewed with evidence from both in vitro and in vivo studies. Various processing methods such as malting, fermentation, extrusion, popping, and milling are explored for their effects on nutritional bioavailability and sensory quality. Additionally, the development of value-added products—ranging from weaning foods and bakery products to functional foods and nutraceuticals—is discussed, highlighting finger millet’s potential in addressing malnutrition and lifestyle-related disorders. Collectively, this review emphasizes finger millet as a nutritionally dense and medicinally valuable grain with significant potential in health promotion, therapeutic applications, and food innovation. Keywords: Finger millet, Eleusine coracana, nutritional composition, ethnobotany, pharmacological activity, processing methods, functional foods