HEAVY METALS IN SOME MEDICINAL PLANTS SOLD IN HERBAL SHOPS

Medicinal plants are widely consumed as beverages in many countries. Although the parts of the plants involved and how they are used are basically similar, these may vary depending on the region. In addition to their positive effects on health, medicinal plants are supplements that people should be careful about in terms of the heavy metals they may contain due to the environmental pollution in the places they are grown. In this research, the Fe, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Al metals' concentrations in six different medicinal plants (Camellia sinensis, Tilia platyphyllos, Hypericum perforatum, Matricaria chamomilla, Salvia officinalis, Thymus vulgaris) sold in herbal stores in Aydin, Denizli, Burdur and Isparta were determined via ICP-OES in samples sold unpackaged and as packaged tea for infusions. According to this study, more heavy metal residues were detected in the herbal tea samples sold unpack aged compared to the infused teas. At the end of the study, while the maximum amount of heavy metal in the samples sold unpackaged was Fe (302 mg/kg), Cd and Cr heavy metal residues were not identified in the samples made into infusions from packaged tea. The largest heavy metal residues were found in Thymus vulgaris samples sold unpackaged, and the smallest heavy metal residues were detected in the Tilia platyphyllos samples. As a result of this, it is considered necessary for producers, sellers and consumers to be more aware of and sensitive to the risk of heavy metals in herbal teas, and for the authorities to monitor the producers more frequently so that these products can be consumed in a healthier way.