ICP-OES analysis of heavy metal and nutrient elements of yarrow sold in Turkey

Aim The present study was to evaluate the local 'yarrow' drug − Millefoli herba − samples acquired from aktars, herbalists, and herbal shops. Materials and methods The samples were from Ankara (10 samples), Antalya (14 samples), Eskisehir (11 samples), Istanbul (10 samples), Izmir (10 samples), Mersin (10 samples), and Ordu (seven samples), which are used in the traditional medicine for various purposes. More than 70 samples were evaluated from seven different provinces. Results The taxonomic diagnosis of some of them is sold as Achillea millefolium L.; however, the study results show that the drugs do not belong to this species, and also five different A. L. taxa are sold as A. millefolium L. The selected heavy metals (Fe, Cd, and Co) and plant nutritional elements (Mn, Zn, Na, K, Ca, B, and Mg) were initially determined by quantitative ICP-OES analyses. Among the investigated samples, the lowest and highest results were 0.365-18.86 mg/kg for Fe; 0.007-0.294 mg/kg for Cd; 0.022-0.027 mg/kg for Co; 0.097 mg/kg-2.098 mg/kg for Mn; Zn 0.009-0.624 mg/kg; Na 1.539-15.80 mg/kg; K 39.8-390.3 mg/kg; Ca 31.24-223.1 mg/kg; B 0.046-3.970 mg/kg; Mg 7.058-43.84 mg/kg, respectively. Conclusion The results were compared with WHO recommended limits and daily intakes.