Pharmacognosy in modern pharmacy curricula

Abstract

Pharmacognosy, derived from the Greek words "pharmakon" (drug) and "gnosis" (knowledge), is probably the oldest modern science, and generally the study of crude drugs of plant and animal origin (in the form of tinctures, teas, poultices, powders, and other herbal formulations), and it incorporates authentication and quality control of such drugs, based on macroscopic and microscopic examinations of crude drugs.