Determination of major and trace elements in ten important folk therapeutic plants of Haripur basin, Pakistan

Abstract

Several Pakistani plants are known to be of potential therapeutic value and are used in traditional herbal medicine system of the country. In this work, ten of the most popular routinely used medicinal plants (Achyranthes aspera,Alternanthera pungens, Brassica campestris, Cannabis sativa, Convolvulus arvensis, Hordeum vulgare, Justicia adhatoda, Parthenium hysterophorus,Ricinus communis, Withania somnifera), which are reported in literature and belong to Haripur basin, are studied first time for their trace (Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni, Co, Cd, Pb, Mn and Fe) and major (K, Na, Ca and Mg) elemental composition by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. In addition, some relevant aspects of heavy metal toxicity are also discussed. Although all plants are found to accumulate good quantity of Fe, K, Na, Ca and Mg, however, their trace heavy metal contents are high according to the international safety standards for the consumption of human beings.   Key words: Haripur basin, elemental contents, medicinal herbs, medicinal plants.