Pharmacognosy D. pharm 1st yr
Crude Drugs:
Definition, Characteristics & Classification
Definition of Crude Drug:
A crude drug is a natural substance (from plant, animal, or mineral origin),
used for medicinal purposes in its original or dried form, with no chemical
modification.
Example: Dried clove buds, Ginger rhizome, Senna leaves, Opium latex.
Cinnamon Bark
Ideal Characteristics of a Good Crude Drug:
1. Pure and unadulterated
2. Free from contamination (dust, microbes, insects)
3. Properly dried and stored
4. Good physical appearance (color, odor, taste)
5. High content of active constituents
6. Properly identified (botanical source)
7. Stable under storage conditions
Classification of Crude Drugs:
Crude drugs can be classified based on different criteria:
Alphabetical Classification
Basis: Alphabetical order (English/Common/Botanical name,local name )listed in
different pharmacopeias like
Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP)
, Pharmacognosy D. pharm 1st yr
British Pharmacopoeia (BP)
United States Pharmacopoeia (USP)
European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. E ur.)
• Example:
A → Acacia
B → Belladonna
C → Clove
Advantages:
• Easy to locate in books/catalogs
Disadvantages:
• No scientific or therapeutic relationship
Morphological Classification
Basis: Plant part used
Part Used Example
Leaf Tulsi
Flower Clove
Root Ginseng
Rhizome Ginger
Bark Cinnamon
Fruit Fennel
Seed Black peeper
Advantages:
• Simple visual identification
• Useful for raw drug trade
Disadvantages:
• No info about chemical or therapeutic use
Crude Drugs:
Definition, Characteristics & Classification
Definition of Crude Drug:
A crude drug is a natural substance (from plant, animal, or mineral origin),
used for medicinal purposes in its original or dried form, with no chemical
modification.
Example: Dried clove buds, Ginger rhizome, Senna leaves, Opium latex.
Cinnamon Bark
Ideal Characteristics of a Good Crude Drug:
1. Pure and unadulterated
2. Free from contamination (dust, microbes, insects)
3. Properly dried and stored
4. Good physical appearance (color, odor, taste)
5. High content of active constituents
6. Properly identified (botanical source)
7. Stable under storage conditions
Classification of Crude Drugs:
Crude drugs can be classified based on different criteria:
Alphabetical Classification
Basis: Alphabetical order (English/Common/Botanical name,local name )listed in
different pharmacopeias like
Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP)
, Pharmacognosy D. pharm 1st yr
British Pharmacopoeia (BP)
United States Pharmacopoeia (USP)
European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. E ur.)
• Example:
A → Acacia
B → Belladonna
C → Clove
Advantages:
• Easy to locate in books/catalogs
Disadvantages:
• No scientific or therapeutic relationship
Morphological Classification
Basis: Plant part used
Part Used Example
Leaf Tulsi
Flower Clove
Root Ginseng
Rhizome Ginger
Bark Cinnamon
Fruit Fennel
Seed Black peeper
Advantages:
• Simple visual identification
• Useful for raw drug trade
Disadvantages:
• No info about chemical or therapeutic use
