CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF COMMON MEDICINAL HERBS USED FOR INDIAN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE

A total of sixteen commonly available medicinal herbs (different parts) used in Indian traditional medicine were collected. The collected parts were, shade-dried, ground to fine powder and stored in air-tight containers. The samples were analyzed for proximate principles, acid-insoluble ash, gross energy, minerals and fatty acids. Emblica officinalis fruits had significantly (P < 0.05) highest moisture (88.67%), Moringa oleifera leaves had significantly (P < 0.05) highest crude protein (26.99 %), Coriandrum sativum seeds had significantly (P < 0.05) highest crude fibre (32.53%), Syzygium aromaticum buds had significantly (P < 0.05) highest crude fat (18.57 %), Mentha spicata leaves had significantly (P < 0.05) highest total ash (11.53 %), Allium sativum bulbs had significantly (P < 0.05) highest nitrogen-free extracts (90.14 %) and Murraya koenigii leaves had significantly (P< 0.05) highest acid insoluble ash (4.71 %). The gross energy content was significantly (P < 0.05) highest in Coriandrum sativum seeds (4605.33 Kcal/Kg). Azadirachta indica leaves had significantly (P < 0.05) highest calcium (2.99 %), Phyllanthus niruri leaves had significantly highest (P < 0.05) phosphorus (0.53 %), Andrographis paniculata stem and leaves had significantly (P < 0.05) highest copper (41.27 ppm), E. officinalis fruits had significantly (P < 0.05) highest iron (596.78 ppm) and S. aromaticum buds had significantly (P < 0.05) highest manganese (286.96 ppm). C. sativum seeds had significantly (P < 0.05) highest levels of oleic acid (73.76 %), T. foenum seeds had significantly (P < 0.05) highest levels of linoleic acid (36.43 %) and P. niruri leaves had the significantly (P < 0.05) highest levels of linolenic acid (51.78 %) Further studies are needed to quantify other bioactive compounds, to study their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties so that they could be used as alternatives to antibiotics / other drugs for livestock and poultry.