Introduction to Pharmacognosy

Pharmacognosy is a vital and rapidly evolving branch of pharmaceutical sciences concerned with drugs obtained from natural sources such as plants, animals, microorganisms, marine organisms, and minerals. It also encompasses modern biotechnological techniques like plant tissue culture for enhancing and producing bioactive compounds. In recent years, it has gained remarkable importance due to the growing global interest in herbal medicines, traditional healing systems, and natural product-based drug discovery. This book, Introduction to Pharmacognosy is prepared according to the B.Pharm syllabus prescribed by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) as per NEP 2020. It aims to provide students with a strong foundation in basic concepts, historical development, drug sources, cultivation and processing techniques, quality control methods, and key phytotherapeutic agents used in modern and traditional systems of medicine. The book highlights landmark drug discoveries such as morphine, quinine, aspirin, penicillin, and taxol, which have significantly contributed to modern therapeutics. It emphasizes Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP), WHO guidelines, conservation strategies, and ecopharmacognosy for sustainable use of medicinal plants. It also includes pharmacopoeias, classification of crude drugs, quality control parameters, DNA barcoding, and detailed coverage of major phytotherapeutic agents. This book serves as a comprehensive learning resource for undergraduate pharmacy students, integrating theoretical knowledge with practical applications in pharmacognosy.