Quantitation of Heavy Metals in Herbal Medicinal Drinks and Herbal Alcoholic Drinks in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Herbal medicinal plants are the starting material for herbal preparations such as herbal medicines, herbal oil, herbal teas etc. Recently, herbal alcoholic drinks are being added to the list. The present study was done to check the presence of lead, cadmium, nickel and copper in different herbal medicinal mixtures and herbal alcoholic drinks, sold in the local markets in Lagos, Nigeria. The mixtures were digested and subjected to analysis by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Results showed that lead ranged in the Herbal drinks and Mixtures from 0.00 mg/ml to 0.11 mg/ml, copper ranged from 0.00 mg/mi to 0.61mg/ml, chromium ranged from 0.00 mg/ml to 0.02 mg/ml, cadmium ranged from 0.00mg/ml to 0.01mg/ml and nickel ranged from 0.00 mg/ml to 0.02mg/ml. Some of these values are above the permissible levels for heavy metals intake by the World Health Organization. Consumption of these herbal mixtures could pose a serious health risk if consumed over a long period of time.