Zinc deficiency remains a significant global public health issue, particularly in developing regions with limited dietary diversity and minimal access to fortified foods. Traditional medicine systems, such as Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Unani, and African ethnomedicine, offer a valuable and underutilized resource in addressing this challenge. These systems have long utilized medicinal plants for therapeutic purposes, and recent phytochemical analyses reveal that many of these plants also contain appreciable levels of zinc, positioning them as both nutritional and medicinal assets. Plants like Moringa oleifera and Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek), used in Ayurveda and Unani medicine, are not only potent herbal remedies but also rich in zinc, supporting immune health and managing metabolic disorders. Similarly, herbs such as Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi), Curcuma longa (Turmeric), Zingiber officinale (Ginger), and Aloe vera contain moderate zinc levels and contribute to their adaptogenic, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties. African traditional plants like Vernonia amygdalina and Hibiscus sabdariffa, as well as Chinese medicinal herbs like Astragalus membranaceus and Panax ginseng, also offer therapeutic and nutritional benefits linked to their trace mineral content. In Rajasthan, India, tribal communities such as the Bhils, Garasias, and Meenas have preserved ethnobotanical practices that emphasize the use of zinc-containing desert plants. Species such as Capparis decidua (Ker), Commiphora wightii (Guggul), and Tecomella undulata (Rohida) serve as both food and medicine, addressing ailments while enhancing micronutrient intake. This convergence of traditional knowledge and modern nutritional science underscores the potential of medicinal plants in addressing zinc deficiency. Integrating these culturally significant, zinc-rich botanicals into public health strategies can promote sustainable, accessible, and holistic health interventions, particularly in underserved populations. Preserving ethnobotanical heritage thus offers a powerful bridge between cultural tradition and nutritional security.