Pharmacognosy is the study of medicinal plants and their chemical components. It was originally a synonym for phytochemistry, but has come to mean something more than that in recent times. Allopathic medicine has been around for centuries and relies heavily on synthetic compounds derived from petroleum or other chemicals. As we learn about the properties of different plant species, it becomes clear that these natural remedies can be just as effective as some allopathic medicines without all the side effects.
What is Pharmacognosy?
Pharmacognosy is the study of medicines or crude drugs produced from natural sources such as plants, microbes and animals. Analysis includes an examination their biological properties (biochemistry), chemical ones like composition and structure which can be examined through lab tests. The last part analyzes how these compounds interact with our bodies in terms of physical activity – this may involve testing for caffeine levels.
The study of medicines from natural sources, such as plants and animals.
According to Canada Pharmacy the pharmacognosy game is not one to be taken lightly. It includes analysis on their biological properties like what they’re made out: chemical makeup; biochemical composition (genetics); physical characteristics (purity).
Here are five examples of popular pharmacogenetic drugs:
- Fluoxetine (Prozac), an antidepressant
- Salicylic Acid (Aspirin)
- A pain reliever
- Ibuprofen (Advil)
- A painkiller
- Codeine
- A cough
History of Pharmacognosy
Since the beginning of time, humans have been using plants to heal themselves. In fact, some of history’s most life-saving medicines were derived from plants. Pharmacognosy is the study and practice of identifying drugs from plant sources for medicinal purposes. It dates back to Ancient India where there was a society called “The Society for Planting Trees in India” that would collect various herbs and other medicinal plants and distribute them among poor communities who lacked access to healthcare centers or doctors.
This rich heritage has led an estimated 10% of all modern medicines today being produced from natural products such as plants, marine organisms, fungi and bacteria.
Importance of Pharmacognosy
Pharmacognosy is the study of natural products that are used in medicine. It is derived from the Greek word pharmakon, which means drug or remedy. This field of study has been around for centuries, but it has received a lot more attention recently due to an increase in natural remedies being prescribed by doctors and herbalists alike.
The practice of pharmacognosy can be traced back to at least 500 BC when Hippocrates wrote about different plants’ medicinal properties. And even then, he was prescribing medicines made up primarily of plant material with some animal fat added in as well.
But these days most people use pharmaceuticals not herbs, meaning that they are missing out on all the benefits that come from using this time.
Study of Plants
The ancient practice of Pharmacognosy is the study and application of the medicinal properties of plants. It has been used for centuries to help ease pain, fight infection, heal wounds, and more. In recent years, scientists have begun to realize that many plant-derived compounds may be effective treatments for diseases such as cancer and diabetes. The importance of Pharmacognosy can’t be denied: it’s a field with huge potential in the future.
Conclusion
You may not realize it, but pharmacognosy is the study of medicines or crude drugs produced from natural sources such as plants, microbes and animals. It includes analysis of their biological, chemical, biochemical and physical properties. In a world where many people are looking to find cures for common ailments in nature rather than taking pharmaceuticals that have been created by man-made laboratories, this science can be incredibly useful.
