Analysis of mineral content of some medicinal plants by NAA and AAS techniques

Elemental analysis of some medicinal plants used in the Indian Ayurvedic system was performed by employing instrumental neutron activation analysis and atomic absorption spectroscopy. The samples were irradiated with thermal neutrons in a nuclear reactor and the induced activity was counted by γ-ray spectrometry using an efficiency calibrated high resolution high purity germanium detector. Most of the medicinal plants were found to be rich in one or more of the elements under study. The elemental concentration in different medicinal plants and their biological effects on humans are discussed.