Trace and Minor Element Concentrations in Aqueous Extract of the Herbal Medicinal Plants Tamarindus indica and Hibiscus sabdiffora

This paper assesses whether the elements Ca, Na, Mg, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn are present in adequate concentrations viable for human use in the two common medicinal plants Tamarindus indica L. and Hibiscus sabdiffora L. The plants were collected from markets in Aswan, Egypt. The extraction processes were soaking, infusion (the addition of boiling water) and boiling the plants. Samples of the water extraction were taken at different extraction times and the concentration of the elements noted. The results show that the water extraction coefficient of each element from the studied plants depends on the extraction time and method of extraction. For Hibiscus sabdiffora most elements extracted in highest percentage (41-88%) at 24 hours soaking time; (39-85%) at 5 min infusion; and (37-88%) after boiling for 30 mins. Tamarindus indica shows elements extracted (41-88%) after 24 hours soaking time; (40-98%) at 15 min infusion and (42-88%) after boiling for 5 mins. It was found, according to Egyptian standards, that the studied elements were in sufficient concentration to be considered useful for medicinal purposes: Hibiscus sabdariffa as a source for trace elements (Co, Cu, Fe, Zn) and Tamarindus indica as a source for Ca, Mg, K, Mn and Ni.