Assessment of heavy metals content in some medicinal plants and spices commonly used in Romania

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate the level of six heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, cooper, iron, mercury and lead) in both wild-growing and packaged samples from twelve commonly used medicinal plants and spices in Romania. The concentrations of all heavy metals, except mercury and lead, were within permissible limits in the analysed plant samples. The wild-growing sample of Tilia cordata and some packaged samples of Origanum vulgare and Thymus vulgare contained higher levels of mercury than 0.1 mg/kg. The concentrations of lead exceeded the limit recommended by the EU (0.3 mg/kg) for some samples of Achillea millefolium, Matricaria chamomilla, Mentha piperita, Ocimum basilicum, Origanum majorana and Tilia cordata. The findings of the study highlight the need for constant monitoring of heavy metals residues in order to ensure the quality and safety of herbal products.