<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Medicinal plants have a long history of use in therapy throughout the world and still make an important part of traditional medicine. Thus, medicinal plants and herbal products must be safe for the patient (consumer). This review addresses biological contaminants (microbes and other organisms) and chemical contaminants (mycotoxins, toxic elements such as heavy metals, and pesticide residues) as major common contaminants of medicinal herbs and herbal products. To prevent and screen for contamination and ensure safety and conformity to quality standards, medicinal herbs and herbal products should be included in appropriate regulatory framework.</p></abstract>

Medicinal plants have a long history of use in therapy throughout the world and still make an important part of traditional medicine. Thus, medicinal plants and herbal products must be safe for the patient (consumer). This review addresses biological contaminants (microbes and other organisms) and chemical contaminants (mycotoxins, toxic elements such as heavy metals, and pesticide residues) as major common contaminants of medicinal herbs and herbal products. To prevent and screen for contamination and ensure safety and conformity to quality standards, medicinal herbs and herbal products should be included in appropriate regulatory framework.

Contaminants of Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Products

Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

Agency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices, Zagreb, Croatia

Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology

{"article-title":"Contaminants of Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Products"}

Medicinal plants have a long history of use in therapy throughout the world and still make an important part of traditional medicine. Thus, medicinal plants...

Contaminants of Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Products

Published Online: Jan 07, 2010

Page range: 485 - 501

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-60-2009-2005

Keywords
biljni lijek, mikotoksini, mikroorganizmi, pesticidi, teški metali

This content is open access.

Contaminants of Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Products

Published Online: Jan 07, 2010

Page range: 485 - 501

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-60-2009-2005

Keywordsbiljni lijek, mikotoksini, mikroorganizmi, pesticidi, teški metali

This content is open access.

Keywords
biljni lijek, mikotoksini, mikroorganizmi, pesticidi, teški metali