Determining the HEAVY metal content of the plant consumed as the most preferred spice and TEA

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in herbal products, which are one of the complementary treatment methods. Based on data from the World Health Organization (WHO), about 80% of the population in developing countries rely on herbal supplement products to meet their health needs. The frequency of use of complementary and alternative medicine, including herbal medicines, is estimated at 41-55% in Turkey. The most important risks in plant products are the residues of pollutants. Heavy metals, which can have toxic effects even at low concentrations, are important inorganic environmental pollutants. In this study, it was aimed to determine the heavy metal contents of the most used species of herbs consumed as spices and tea. A field study consisting of adults over the age of 18 living in Istanbul was conducted and 750 people were reached and their most preferred 5 spices and 5 herbal teas were determined. In this study, 5 different sampling will be performed to ensure homogeneity in the samples. Samples will be obtained from both open and closed products and from 5 randomly selected regions of Istanbul. After samples are collected, Bahçeşehir University, Faculty of engineering and Natural Sciences Laboratory NANOLAB using aluminum, calcium, kadminyum, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese, sodium, nickel, lead and zinc mineral nutrients and heavy metal analysis will be made. Considering the results of the study, it was found that the heavy metal content was significantly higher in the herbs and spices bought from the markets. We think that it is useful to keep in mind that in the samples collected, there are both the own brands of the chain markets and the frequently preferred brands that we think are quite good in Turkey and that their controls are kept strictly. In particular, regular and systematic inspections for heavy metals and other pollutants in herbs and spices, which we think are found in almost every home that the society trusts and frequently prefer, are of high importance for public health.