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    Review

    Adulteration in Herbal Medicines: A Comprehensive Review on Types, Detection, and Health Impacts

    Ravjot Kaur1, Tirath Choudhary1, Ramandeep Kaur1, Mansi Garg1, Nagendra Singh Chauhan2, Abhilasha Jain3, Ashish Baldi1★★ Corresponding author

    1. 1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technology, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University, Bathinda, Punjab, INDIA.
    2. 2Drug Testing Laboratory Avam Anusandhan Kendra, Government Ayurvedic College Campus, GE Road, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, INDIA.
    3. 3Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Giani Zail Singh Campus College of Engineering & Technology, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University, Bathinda, Punjab, INDIA.

    CORRESPONDENCE

    Ashish Baldi

    Pharma Innovation Lab, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technology, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University, Bathinda-151001, Punjab, INDIA.

    baldiashish@gmail.com

    Received: 15-04-2025; Revised: 09-06-2025; Accepted: 28-08-2025.

    Volume 17, Issue 4 · pp. 1116–1126 · PUBLISHED Oct-Dec 2025 · DOI: 10.5530/pres.20250085

    View on Pharmacogn. Res. original site ↗

    ABSTRACT

    Background: Adulteration of herbal medicines is a large-scale issue that compromises the quality, safety, and therapeutic effect of herbal drugs. It entails deliberate substitution, contamination, and incorporation of undeclared synthetic compounds, which often leads to serious adverse health effects. Objectives: This review critically examines the prevalence, character, and public health impact of herbal adulteration. It also specifies present advancements in identification methods and persistent gaps in methods and authentication. Materials and Methods: A critical literature review of world case studies, pharmacopoeial reports were taken. Emphasis was placed on the prevalence of adulteration of widely used herbal medicines. Both traditional methods of analysis (chromatographic and spectroscopic) and the newer tools, like artificial intelligence-based systems for authentication and classification, were considered. Results: Substitution adulteration is the most common, up to 70-90% in prevalent herbs like Coscinium fenestratum, Embelia ribes, and Saraca asoca. Various commercial preparations were detected to contain undeclared synthetic adulterants like corticosteroids, NSAIDs, and sildenafil. Heavy metals, microplastics, and pesticides as impurities add a triple burden of exposure, resulting in oxidative stress, endocrine disruptions, neurotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, and microbiome disruption. Though non-destructive, quick authentication techniques, most notably AI-powered image recognition and spectral analysis, are on the horizon, their application in daily quality control is still limited. Conclusion: Harmonized international regulation, more robust quality control measures, and better pharmacovigilance systems are needed urgently. Integrating interdisciplinary collaboration, building capacity, and enhancing consumer education will be key to controlling adulteration and the long-term credibility and safety of herbal medicines.

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      Kaur, R., Choudhary, T., Kaur, R., Garg, M., Chauhan, N. S., Jain, A., & Baldi, A. (2025). Adulteration in Herbal Medicines: A Comprehensive Review on Types, Detection, and Health Impacts. Pharmacognosy Research, 17(4), 1116–1126. https://doi.org/10.5530/pres.20250085