Botanical quality control of digestive tisanes commercialized in an urban area (Bahía Blanca, Argentina)

Abstract

Digestive herbal teas in the form of monoherbal infusions or in mixtures are the most commonly usedform of phytotherapy in Bahía Blanca (Argentina). This practice is based on family tradition reinforced bycurrent trends reverting to the ingestion of natural products. The objective of this work was to analyzethe botanical quality of the digestive mixtures sold in Bahía Blanca as fine cut mixtures (in tea bags) andthick cut mixtures (fragmented herbs). Samples of seven mixtures sold in the form of tea bags and fouras bags of fragmented herbs were studied under stereoscopic and optical microscopes and micrographicstudies were carried out following conventional protocols. Observed characteristics were compared withthose in the reference bibliography for verified genuine monoherbs. In the studied products a total of 21different species were found. There was total concordance between the species declared on the label andthose identified in the samples in six of the mixtures in the form of tea bags and in only one of the bags offragmented herbs. Adulterations were found in four of the samples analyzed (one in a tea bag and three inthe fragmented mixtures). The labels on only two of the tea bag samples presented complete and correctinformation; in the remaining samples irregularities were found related to: the taxonomic identificationof the species, the absence of a lot number, date of expiry, the plant parts used and proportions of theherbs etc. The findings underline the great importance of quality controls as a tool to protect the rightsof phytotherapy consumers.