Traditional herbal remedies and nutritional supplements are widely used to manage various health conditions, but many lack proper standardization and scientific validation for safety and effectiveness. In this research, multiple forms of traditional herbal medicines prescribed for specific diseases were collected from practitioners in various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The samples were analyzed using atomic absorption spectroscopy to determine concentrations of heavy metals, trace elements, and essential minerals. All products contained detectable levels of heavy metals, trace elements, and minerals. Toxic metals such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) were present in every sample, while trace elements including cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and chromium (Cr) were generally within safe limits. Essential minerals like sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca) were found at levels beneficial for bodily functions. Hazard quotient (HQ) analysis indicated that arsenic levels exceeded safe thresholds in all samples, and Cd and Pb exceeded limits in roughly half of the products tested. The presence of toxic metals above recommended levels raises concerns about the quality and safety of these herbal medicines. This study underscores the importance of routine monitoring and standardization of traditional herbal products to safeguard public health and ensure product reliability.
