Pharmacognostical, Physicochemical and Phytochemical Evaluation of Bertholettia excelsa and Ilex paraguariensis

Herbal medicines continue to hold a significant place in traditional and contemporary healthcare systems due to their safety, affordability, and pharmacological diversity. Bertholletia excelsa (Brazil nut) and Ilex paraguariensis (Yerba mate) are South American botanicals with known medicinal and nutritional value, yet their systematic pharmacognostical and phytochemical profiling remains limited. This study aimed to perform comprehensive pharmacognostical, physicochemical, and phytochemical evaluations of Bertholletia excelsa fruits and Ilex paraguariensis leaves to establish their identity, purity, and therapeutic potential. Macroscopic and microscopic analyses, physicochemical parameters (ash value, extractive value, foreign matter, moisture content, swelling index, foaming index, crude fiber, bitterness value, microbial load, elemental analysis), and qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screenings (Total phenolic and flavonoid content) were conducted using standard procedures. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) was performed for chemical profiling. Both plants exhibited characteristic morphological and microscopic traits, confirming their identity. Physicochemical parameters remained within acceptable pharmacopoeial limits. Methanolic extracts demonstrated higher yields and superior total phenolic and flavonoid contents. TLC analysis confirmed the presence of multiple phytoconstituents, notably flavonoids, alkaloids, and tannins. The study scientifically validates Bertholletia excelsa and Ilex paraguariensis as potent phytopharmaceutical candidates, providing a pharmacognostical and phytochemical baseline for future formulation development and therapeutic applications.