Determination of Antioxidants in Medicinal Herbs

The evaluation of antioxidant capacity, total phenolics, vitamin C content and identification of several phenolic acids and flavonoids was performed in the following fresh and dried herbs widely used in folk medicine throughout Slovenia and elsewhere: elder berries (Sambucus nigra L.), barberries (Berberis vulgaris L.), rowan tree berries (Sorbus aucuparia L.), coltsfoot flowers (Tussilago farfara L.), linden flowers (Tilia platyphyllos Scop.), thyme flowers (Thymus vulgaris), milfoil flowers (Achillea millefolium) and plantain leafs (Plantago lanceolata L.). It was found out that selected medicinal herbs contain different antioxidants with different polarity and exhibit different antioxidant capacity. Their levels decrease with the drying process and during preparation of their infusions.