J Ethnopharmacol. 1989 Oct; 26(3): 287-91.

Lead content of some traditional preparations--"Kushtas".

Haq I, Asghar M.

Quality Control Authority, Ministry of Health, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Traditional remedies/medicines prescribed and used under the name of "Kushtas" in the Indo-Pakistan sub-continent have been reported to contain heavy metals, e.g. lead, silver, mercury, etc. as one of their active ingredients. The ingestion of such preparations in high doses would result in acute poisoning whilst low doses, taken over a period of time, would be cumulative and prove to be a serious health hazard. The lead content of a number of Kushtas has been analysed and is reported.