Pharmacognostic Study on “Umikkaddi Gida”- A Folklore Claim

Abstract

Pharmacognosy is a branch of pharmaceutical science, which deals with naturally occurring biological products especially those derived from plants. The term Pharmacognosy is derived from two Greek words 'Pharmacon' means drugs and gignosco or gnosis - to acquire knowledge, knowledge of drugs. Any plant that is used in medicine needs elaborate study prior to its use. These detailed studies of plants enable us to differentiate between closely related species of the same genus or related genera of the same family. It also enables us to standardize a drug, which is the need of hour in the commercialized society. Apart from this, it enriches our knowledge regarding the drug with which we can suggest substitutes to some rare species and save it from extinction. It also enables us to find out adulteration in drug. It is an important link between Pharmacology and medicinal chemistry. Before using a new drug, detailed pharmacognostic study is a must as it is not only helpful for correct identification but also to get a clue of its photochemical, pharmacological and medicinal properties.