Study on some heavy metal intake through the recommended medication dosage of some Ayurvedic herbs and formulations

Eight herbal medicines (Six herbal extracts-Yastimadhu, Aloevera, Haritaki, Ashwagandha, Rasna, Nirgundi and two herbal formulations- Arogyavardhini Vati and Chanderprabha vati) were tested for levels of heavy metals (Lead, copper, cadmium, iron, chromium, manganese, nickel and zinc). Both herbal extracts and herbal formulations showed presence varying quantities of heavy metals. However, concentrations of heavy metals were greater in the herbal formulations as compared to herbal extracts. Iron was found in maximum quantities as compared to other heavy metals .Very high quantities of Iron were detected in the two Ayurvedic formulations. The paper discusses the significance of these quantities in terms of Daily Limit given by various international food and drug administration agencies. The intake of the heavy metals has been calculated by taking into account the recommended daily dose of the given Ayurvedic medicines. Intake of heavy metals through medication is compared with the daily maximum dose given by the various agencies. It was observed that the quantity of all the heavy metals daily intake as per recommended medicinal dose are within the prescribed limits. Iron, Zinc and copper are classified as micronutrients, the minimum level of these are required for good health. However, these metals have been reported to be deficient in the diet. The prescribed medication of tested Ayurvedic medicines provides the required intake of these micronutrients. The study concludes that the eight ayurvedic medicines tested have safe limits of heavy metals and in addition provide for required micronutrient.