Evaluation of inorganic elements in herbal preparations by FAAS and FES

In this study four inorganic elements i.e. sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium were estimated in eleven locally available herbal preparations used as sex stimulants using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry and Flame Emission Spectroscopy. Samples names were Ginseng, Nan-bao, Choe, Safoof-e- Mughallis (Powder), Imsaki (Jawahar) capsules, Zarjam (capsules), Shahi (capsules), Mumsik sultani (Jawahar) capsules, Laboob-e-Kabeer, Laboob Bard (Jawahar wala), Laboob Khas (Jawahar wala). Results indicate the presence of variable amounts of metals in these samples. Order of concentration of metals in different samples has been found to be Ca> Mg > K > Na. Shahi capsules exhibited highest amount of sodium (3100±1825 μg/g) and other three minerals were in higher quantities. Choe contained highest amount of calcium (54175±4898 μg/g) and magnesium (53223±3205 μg/g) while Mumsik showed highest quantity of potassium (12070±882 μg/g). Ginseng, Nan-bao and Zarjam contained moderate amounts of all minerals and Laboob Khas exhibited lowest amounts of calcium (922±338μg/g), magnesium (463±106 μg/g), potassium (2968±735 μg/g) and small quantity of sodium (476±246 μg/g). It is evident that these herbal preparations can replenish the deficiency of minerals but excessive use of such herbal preparations may cause health hazards.