How to cite: Alinia-Ahandani E, Nazem H, Malekirad AA, Fazilati M. The Safety Evaluation of Toxic Elements in Medicinal Plants:A systematic review. J Hum Environ Health Promot. 2022; 8(2): 64-70. The Safety Evaluation of Toxic Elements in Medicinal Plants: A Systematic Review Ebrahim Alinia-Ahandani a | Habibollah Nazem a | Ali Akbar Malekirad a* | Mohammad Fazilati a a. Department of Biochemistry`, Payame Noor University, Tehran, I.R. Iran P.O.BOX 19395-3697. *Corresponding author: Department of Biochemistry`, Payame Noor University, Tehran, I.R. Iran P.O.BOX 19395-3697. E-mail address: Malekirad1973@gmail.com ARTICLE INFO Article type: Review article Article history: Received: 1 September 2021 Revised: 22 October 2021 Accepted: 15 November 2021 © The Author(s) DOI: 10.52547/jhehp.8.2.64 Keywords: Medicinal plants Toxic elements Contaminated areas Safety ABSTRACT Background: Despite the widespread use of medicinal plants in the food basket of many families, using healthy herbs with safe nutritional standards is one of the necessities. Methods: In this review, the required data and related keywords (such as “latest methods of measuring and analyzing toxic elements in medicinal plants and foods, etc.) were collected from databases such as Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Scopus, SID, PubMed, Elsevier, Springer, etc. Then we focused on accurate works related to toxic elements and medicinal plants. Results: First, we introduced the issue of toxic elements in foods, especially medicinal plants, with a new perspective. Then, some tools related to measuring toxic elements in herbs and some recent research were investigated. Further, an attempt was made to show the importance of the issue. Finally, the effects of toxic elements on various parts of the human body were discussed. Conclusion: An overview of using safe medicinal plants was presented while providing effective solutions such as identifying contaminated areas, using soil stabilizers, and preventing the leaching of toxic elements into farmland. 1. Introduction All human societies are encouraged to use herbal drugs to treat disorders. Medicinal plants generally have no serious adverse side effects [1]. Furthermore, herbs are consumed in all parts of the world, especially some of which are rich raw material sources for medical applications. On the other hand, heavy metals are a group of mineral pollutants that have occupied a considerable part of environmental pollution [2]. Herbs mostly absorb toxic elements from water, soil, or the atmosphere. The capability of different species of herbs to absorb the toxic elements geochemically varies, which relates to special features depending on soil varieties [3]. Plants play a significant role in preparing crucial features in bio-systems. It is impossible to live a second without plants [4]. Using herbs for various purposes like remedies for disorders dates back to ancient lifestyles. Since humans reached an effective way against their health troubles, using different herbs was the first and latest choice for cure [5]. It could be said that more than a tenth of the herb species (over 5000) are being consumed in medical and non-medical applications. However, the distribution and application of herbs worldwide are not transparent [6], and herbs are extensively collected from natural regions. Increasingly, the demand for nature has added by 8%-15% per year in European countries, North American regions, and Asian countries in coming years and,