Elemental Analysis of Thyme Herb

An elemental analysis of a thyme herb (Thymus serpyllum L.) that grows in the Chuvash Republic (Russia) is performed for the first time in this study with an X-ray fluorescence method. In the analyzed samples, among the 22 detected chemical elements, higher contents are found for potassium, calcium, phosphorus, silicon, and iron. The macroelements can be arranged in the following order (in mg/kg): K (12 410) > Ca (8960) > P (6000) > S (1480) > Cl (1280). The content of microelements in the thyme herb samples is as follows: Si (7590) > Fe (350) > Mn (80) > Zn (30) > Sr (20) > Cu, Br (10). Titanium (40 mg/kg), rubidium, and chromium (10 mg/kg each) are found in the samples. Toxic elements (cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic), as well as silver, zirconium, and vanadium, are not detected in the samples. The elemental composition of Chuvash thyme is compared with samples from the Goris Region (Armenia) and medicinal plant materials manufactured by Fitofarm (Anapa, Russia) and Zdorovye (Moscow oblast, Russia). The absence of heavy toxic metals and arsenic together with the rich macro- and microelement composition of Chuvash thyme make it suitable to produce various preparations used in traditional and folk medicine, cosmetology, perfumery, cooking, and other industries.