Description
Pharmacognosy is the branch of pharmaceutical science that deals with the study of crude drugs obtained from natural sources such as plants, animals, and minerals. The term ‘Pharmacognosy’ is derived from two Greek words: ‘Pharmakon’ meaning drug and ‘Gnosis’ meaning knowledge. Thus, pharmacognosy literally means the knowledge of drugs or the study of drugs derived from natural sources. It is one of the oldest branches of pharmacy and forms the foundation for the discovery and development of new drugs. Pharmacognosy not only involves the identification and authentication of natural drugs but also their cultivation, collection, processing, storage, and preparation for medicinal use. In modern times, pharmacognosy plays a pivotal role in the standardization and quality control of herbal drugs and has become increasingly important due to the growing popularity of herbal and traditional medicines worldwide.
