Pharmacognosy (fɑːməkəˈnɒsɪ) is the study of medicinal drugs derived from natural sources, especially plants. The word is spelled with the prefix "pharmaco-" meaning "related to drugs," and the suffix "-gnosy" meaning "the study or knowledge of." The "g" in "gnosy" is silent, which can make the spelling confusing for some. Phonetically, the word is broken down into four syllables: "far-ma-ko-gno-sy." Pharmacognosy is an important field in the development of new medicines and the preservation of traditional natural remedies.
Pharmacognosy is a branch of pharmacy that deals with the study of natural products derived from plants, animals, and microorganisms in order to understand their chemical composition, biological activity, and therapeutic potential. It focuses on the identification, selection, and standardization of medicinal substances from natural sources.
The field of pharmacognosy encompasses various aspects of natural products research, including the isolation, purification, and characterization of bioactive compounds. It involves the study of the chemical constituents of medicinal plants, animals, and microbes, their extraction methods, and the evaluation of their biological activities. Pharmacognosists are responsible for identifying and evaluating the potential therapeutic effects of these natural products, as well as their safety and toxicity profiles.
Pharmacognosy combines principles and techniques from fields such as chemistry, botany, pharmacology, and natural product chemistry. It aims to provide a scientific basis for the discovery, development, and utilization of natural products in the field of medicine.
The knowledge gained from pharmacognosy research is utilized in the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare sector for the development of new drugs, herbal medicines, dietary supplements, and cosmetics. It plays a crucial role in providing alternative sources of medicines and exploring traditional remedies.
Overall, pharmacognosy is an interdisciplinary science that focuses on the natural products obtained from diverse sources and their potential applications in the treatment and prevention of diseases.
The science of drugs in all their relations-sources, description, preparation, action, dosage, etc.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "Pharmacognosy" has its roots in the Greek language. It is derived from the combination of two Greek words: "pharmakon", meaning "drug" or "medicine", and "gnosis", meaning "knowledge" or "science". Therefore, "Pharmacognosy" can be translated as "the knowledge or science of drugs and medicines". It refers to the branch of science that deals with the study of medicinal substances derived from natural sources such as plants, animals, and minerals.