Study on Mineral content of Some Ayurvedic Indian Medicinal Plants

Essential and non-essential heavy metals like Mn, Zn,Fe, Ni, Cu, Cr, Pb, Cd,As and Hg were quantified in selected medicinal plants including Acalypha indica Linn., Enicostemma littorale Blume. Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn, Sphaeranthus indicus Linn., and Withania somnifera., by using atomic absorption spectrometry. The main purpose of this study was to document evidence of essential and non-essential heavy metals in these herbs,which are extensively used in the preparation of herbal products and standardized extracts. High iron contents were observed in W. somnifera 191.37 ppm, Acalypha indica Linn 156.59 ppm,Enicostemma littorale Blume, 95.37 ppm, Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn 171.38 ppm, Sphaeranthus indicus Linn. 169.41 ppm. The concentration of other heavy metals particularly Cr, Pb, Cd, As, Hg was found on the lower side in the selected herbs