Abstract

Beside plant drugs the application of herbal mixtures using in several indication fields is very popular in our time. Since these herbal mixtures contain several bioactive agents, their analysis may cause difficulties. Therefore the description of measurements of components and their standardization is generally missing from the Pharmocopoeias. The examined Species thymi composita (STC) is highly effective because of its cholagog, carminative, expectorant, anticatarrhal etc. activity. STC is the mixture of Althaeae radix et folium (marshmallow leaf and root), Verbasci flos (mullein flores), Liquiritiae radix (liquorice root) and Thymi herba (thyme). The macroscopic and microscopic identification of components, phytochemical characterization have been described, the element composition of the herbal mixture, plant drugs constituents and teas was studied and the in vitro element absorption was examined. It has been stated that the STC could be characterized by its mucilage content and volatile oil composition. STC and its tea contain elements as well and the in vitro absorption of some of elements showed relatively high amount. The presence of bioactive compounds, volatile oil components, mucilage and elements may be jointly important in the complex effect, although the relatively higher Mg and Zn content in the tea is particularly relevant that acts via signal transduction process

Key words: herbal remedy, Species thymi composita, respiratory diseases, essential oil, elements