Quality Control of Diet Herbal Teas Commercialized in the Region of Sidi Bel Abbes

Abstract

Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive accumulation of body fat to a level that represents a health risk, it is certainly linked to genetic components but the change in eating habits and the increase in inactivity through urbanization are the main causes of obesity. The most obvious management of obesity consists of a balanced diet and regular practice of physical activity. Traditional herbal remedies exist and can be divided into several groups including laxatives, lipolytic, appetite suppressants, and diuretics. Herbal teas based on these plants must be subject to constant quality control, to ensure patient safety. This study aims to control the quality of five herbal teas; for this, botanical and microbiological controls were done. Falsification detection with mineral substances was carried out using the total ash test. Botanical controls have revealed some elements that do not conform to the standards specified in the monographs, such as the lack of scientific information to guide the patient in his treatment and to identify herbal drugs. Microbiological controls have revealed fungal and bacterial contamination. Mineral falsification was detected in one of the five studied herbal teas.This study has shown the importance of quality control of herbal teas that are widely used by the population, hence the need to adopt stricter policies for their marketing