An attitude towards the effects of heavy metals in medicinal plants

Abstract

Heavy metals are naturally occurring elements that can be found in soil and water. They are essential for many biological processes but can also be toxic to humans when present in high concentrations. Medical plants, which are used for their therapeutic properties, may accumulate heavy metals in the soil. The accumulation of heavy metals in medical plants poses a significant risk to human health as these plants are often consumed as herbal remedies or dietary supplements. Long-term exposure to heavy metals such as lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As) can cause serious health problems such as neurological damage, kidney damage, cancer and developmental disorders. Therefore, it is important to ensure that medical plants are grown in areas with free or less contamination by heavy metals. Additionally, proper processing techniques should be employed to remove any residual heavy metal content before consumption. This review article tries to address and review related scientific papers in regard to heavy metals in medical plants.