Evaluation of essential and non-essential elemental composition of commonly used medicinal plants from district Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

This study illustrates a profile of some essential and non-essential elements (Na, K, Mg, Ca, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Pb, Cr, Cd, Co, Al, Sn) in the aerial parts six medicinal plants, i.e. Coriandrum sativum L., Mentha spicata Papaver somniferum Calotropis gigantean (L.) Dryand., Withania coagulans (Stock) Dunal, Fagonia arabica L. widely consumed district Peshawar, capital city Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The samples were converted into liquid state via wet digestion method analyzed for elemental composition by using atomic absorption spectrometry. After determining concentration, hazard quotient (HQ) was calculated having available maximum permissible limit set FAO/WHO or any other agency 50 mg daily intake herbal plants person body mass 70 kg. K/Na ratio studied varied between 14.88:1 113.75:1 which agreement with reported range. amount Co within all enlisted plants. However, HQ value Mg Ca greater than safe concentration Cd beyond unsafe limits almost suggests that this area must be pretreated lessening before consumption.