Mineral-herbal Preparations in Traditional Medicines: Chemical Compositions of Metals Determine their Therapeutic Effects and Toxicity

Mineral-herb preparations have a long history in the treatment of various diseases in India, China and around the world. This chapter discusses the minerals in traditional medicines for their occurrence, bioaccessibility, therapeutic use, pharmacology, toxicity, and research perspectives. A literature search on Mineral, Metal/metalloids and traditional medicines (Ayurvedic, ethnomedicines in China and others) from PubMed, Google and other sources was carried out, and the relevant papers on their traditional use, pharmacology, and toxicity were selected and analyzed. Minerals are “alchemically” processed to alter their physio-chemical properties distinguishing them from toxic metals. The metals found in Ayurveda, Chinese ethnomedicines are mainly from the intentional addition in the form of Bhasma, Zuotai, realgar, cinnabar, etc. Minerals are frequently utilised as ingredients in mixes with other herbal and/or animal-based goods. Mineral-herb preparations are now classified as Quality Assurance/Quality Control using modern technologies. Herbo-metallic preparations have different bioaccessibility, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination than hazardous metals. It takes scientific study to determine the pharmacological underpinnings of the inclusion of minerals in Ayurvedic and Chinese medications, as well as how those drugs interact with those minerals. Metal poisoning case reports, particularly those involving lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As) from incorrect use of conventional medicines are on the rise, and pharmacovigilance is sought despite the fact that minerals have different hazardous potentials from environmental metals. In risk assessment, chemical forms of minerals used in traditional medicines should be considered for their absorption, disposition, efficacy and toxicity.