International Journal of Applied Chemistry

Elemental composition of Rauwolfia serpentina (Apocynaceae) grown wildly in Indian continent has been studied. The aqueous extracts of the plant were analyzed for the determination of herb-minerals such as Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Ca, K, Na, Co, Cr, Pb, Ni, Al, Cd, and Li by Inductively Coupled Plasma - Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Phytopharmaceuticals containing Rauwolfia serpentina are used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Prior to the analyses of all herbal samples, a normal digestion procedure as well as microwave assisted acid digestion methods were optimized. The recoveries of most elements are in the range of 26.3–113.8%. The method proposed has been applied to the analysis of real samples and compared with biological standard samples (NIST 1573a) Tomato leaves. The determined values of most of the elements in the sample were in good agreement with the certified values.