Qualitative Analysis of Heavy Metal Content in the Herbal Aphrodisiac Medicines Bhatnagar Ayushi1, Malik Anjali2, Singh Parmod3, Bhargav Vikas4, Sehrawat Surender Singh5,* 1Department of Forensic Science, UIAHS, Chandigarh University, Mohali, Punjab, India 2Department of Forensic Science, SAHS, Sharda University, Uttar Pradesh, India 3Department of Anatomy, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 4Department of Forensic Science, USAHS, Rayat Bahra University, Mohali, Punjab 5Department of Hepatology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh *Corresponding Author, Dr. Surender Singh Sehrawat, Department of Hepatology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India, Email: surendersehrawat6@gmail.com
Online Published on 12 January, 2024. Abstract The use of herbal medicines to cure illness dated back to 6,000 to 4.000 BCE in India. There is tremendous Vedic literature available which explains the components of the medicinal plants and their action on the human body. Due to modernization several aspects of humankind have been changed; one is the sexual aspect between the partners. Sexual relation is the basic need of human life, and to maintain or improve it individuals approach different system of medicines. The major approach is Ayurveda i.e., Indian traditional system of medicine as it is safe, have no side effects and not only cure the disease but the overall health of an individual. Hence herbal aphrodisiacs i.e., Vajikarna in Ayurveda has become the first choice of medication nowadays to overcome sexual problems. In parallel with benefits there is a drawback that there is a risk of contamination of heavy metals as these are plant-based products. These contaminations maybe present due to atmospheric dust, pesticide use, and toxic chemicals in air, soil, and water. Therefore, it is important to detect the presence of toxic elements which is monitored under GACP. This review emphasizes the need of herbal aphrodisiacs and explain the contamination with toxic elements. There are 4 major techniques i.e., Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA), Inductive Coupled Plasma-OES/MS and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) explained to detect the presence of HM and in support of it, table prepared and listed the elements assessed by these techniques according to different region. Attention will be based on the finding the presence of heavy metals in herbal preparations. Top Keywords Herbal medicine, Herbal aphrodisiac, Heavy metal, Analytical Techniques. Top |