Mineral Contents of Selected Medicinal and Stimulating Plants in Ethiopia
Journal Title: Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research (BJSTR) - Year 2017, Vol 1, Issue 5
Abstract
Mineral elements play a critical role in building body tissues and regulating numerous physiological processes. They are thus essential constituents of enzymes and hormones; regulate a variety of physiological processes, and are required for the growth and maintenance of tissues and bones. Living organisms (including plants, animals and microorganisms) store and transport metals so as to get appropriate concentration for later uses in physiological reactions as well as a means of protection against the toxic effects of the metals. This paper reviews the mineral contents of medicinal and stimulating plants in Ethiopia. Thyme Thyme is cultivated in almost every country, as an aromatic for culinary uses. The two species, Thymus schimperi Ronniger and Thymus serrulatus Hochst. ex Benth are endemic to the Ethiopian highlands growing on edges of roads, in open grassland, on bare rocks and on slopes, between 2,200-4,000 m altitudes. Both species are perennial herbs, woody at the base and 5-40 cm high. The volatile oil from thyme was found to contain p-cymene, γ-terpine, carvacrol, rosmarinic acid, eugenol, and thymol [1]. The volatile oil not only has carminative action, but also antiseptic, antimicrobial and antifungal activities [2]. In the Ethiopian traditional medicine the plant has many medicinal applications. Some of the reported applications are for the treatment of gonorrhea, cough, inflammation, spasm, thrombosis, urinary retention, mental illness, eye disease, toothache, stomach problems, leprosy, lung TB, acne, and ascaris [3].The fresh or dried leaves of both species are used locally as condiments in the preparation of chili powder, stew, bread and tea. The contents of some selected metals Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Ni, and Cd in different thyme leaf samples widely consumed in Ethiopia were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The level of the minerals in the four samples ranged from 1,239-2,517, Ca; 1,524-1,786, Mg; 728-2,517, Fe; 37.7-114, Mn; 2.59-4.3, Co; 7.69-9.3, Cu; 8.7-52, Zn; and 9.83-14.2 μg/g, Ni; respectively. While the level of toxic metal Cd in the four samples ranged from 0.87- 1.3 μg/g. The concentration of Ca was higher than the other metals in the three samples and Cd was the least of all the metals in the analyzed samples [4]. Gesho (Rhamnus prinoides) (Amharic, Gesho) is a wide spread plant species in Ethiopia and other east and south African countries. R. prinoides has been used for bitterness in the traditional brewing process in East Africa. R. prinoides has potential use as a commercial hopping agent in the beer industry. An extract of leaves and stems of this plant (a naphthalene glycoside, Geshoidin) is responsible for bitterness in local alcoholic beverages [5]. In Ethiopia, the leaves and stems of this plant are used to impart the characteristic bitter flavor to domestically brewed beverages such as Tella, Tej [6]. R. prinoides has also several traditional medicinal uses in Africa. A decoction of the root is taken as a blood purifier, to treat pneumonia, gonorrhea, rheumatism, stomach-ache, flu/ cold, back pain, brucellosis, strength/nutrient supplement, and enhancing digestion [7]. The boiled soup of the root is used for the treatment of common cold, leaves are used for chest pain and leaves/stems are used for the treatment of tonsil in central Kenya [7].
Authors and Affiliations
Bhagwan Singh Chandravanshi
Keywords
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- EP ID EP572820
- DOI 10.26717/BJSTR.2017.01.000423
- Views 158
- Downloads 0
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