DOI: 10.36347/sajb.2013.v01i04.002

Pages: 108-111

Anaemia is one of the most common conditions encountered in primary care. Its consequences, although mild in most cases, are potentially very severe. Anaemia is caused by a number of factors including; dietary deficiency due to low intakes of dietary iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid, inherited disorders or certain infections like malaria. This study aimed at determining the iron contents of the two plants used to treat iron deficiency anaemia in Tanzania namely; Hibiscus sabdariffa (calyces) and Kigelia africana (fruits). Iron content determination employed Atomic Absorption spectrophotometer. Hibiscus sabdariffa was found to contain a higher amount of iron content (164.78 mg/kg) than Kigelia africana (4.14 mg/kg). Presence of iron in both plants, justify their nutraceutical use as haemoglobin enhancer