Title: Radioactivity in ayurvedic medicinal plants

Authors: Y. Narayana, V. Prakash

Addresses: Department of Studies in Physics, Mangalore University, Mangalagangothri-574 199, D.K., Karnataka, India. ' Department of Studies in Physics, Mangalore University, Mangalagangothri-574 199, D.K., Karnataka, India

Abstract: Information on the radiation level and radionuclide concentration in different environmental matrices is available in the literature. However, systematic studies on the distribution and enrichment of radionuclides in plant species, especially in ayurvedic medicinal plants, are sparse. Mankind still depends on traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of various diseases and ailments. As natural herbs are the main ingredients of ayurvedic medicines, the study of radionuclide concentration in such herbs has great significance. In view of this, 12 ayurvedic medicinal plants collected from Moodabidri, near Mangalore, were analysed for the activity concentration of ²¹⁰Po, an important contributor to the internal exposure of human population. The ²¹⁰Po activity in the medicinal plants was found to vary from 6.3 to 56.9 Bq kg⁻¹ with a mean value of 27.8 Bq kg⁻¹. The absorbed gamma-dose rate in the study area varied from 34.8 to 52.2 nGy h⁻¹ with a mean value of 43.5 nGy h⁻¹. The results obtained are presented and discussed in this paper.

Keywords: medicinal plants; radionuclides; ²¹⁰Po; gamma-dose rates; polonium; radioactivity; low radiation; herbal medicine; ayurvedic medicines.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLR.2007.015814

International Journal of Low Radiation, 2007 Vol.4 No.3, pp.184 - 188

Published online: 20 Nov 2007 *

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