[Risks occurring during the use of raw medicinal plant material and its based phytopreparations].

To enhance the informative value of evaluation of the microbiological purity of raw medicinal plant material and its based preparations, the authors estimated the total number of bacteria by the modified method and determined whether Clostridium perfringens might be present in the samples. A higher level of pollution of plant preparations was noted than that detectable according to the Pharmacopoeia. Clostridia were present not only in the raw plant material, but also in its infusions and decoctions prepared by the applied receipt. Based on the findings, the authors estimated the health risk of the use of herbal preparations.