Abstract

Genus Artemisia is cosmopolitan in distribution and its several species are being used in folk therapeutic treatments worldwide. In this study, elemental compositions of seventeen indigenous species (Artemisia scoparia, Artemisiaabsinthium, Acalypha indica, Artemisia santolinifolia, Abronia maritima, Artemisiavulgaris, Artemisia japonica, Artemisia nilagirica, Artemisia herba-alba, Artemisiaannua, Artemisia brevifolia, A. moorcroftiana, Artemisia dracunculus, Aglaiaroxburghiana and Artemisia dubia) that are commonly used against ailments in Pakistan were studied for the first time through atomic absorption spectrophotometry methods. It is observed that these species contain nine trace elements namely Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni, Co, Cd, Pb, Mn, Fe and four major elements that are K, Na, Ca and Mg. Further it is observed that in few sepses the concentration of heavy metals are found over and above the normal concentration levels than the international safety standards prescribed for medicinal plants. This study also discusses the impacts of heavy metal toxicity in humans.

Key words: Artemisia, elemental analysis, medicinal herbs, medicinal plants, heavy metal poisoning.