This document discusses the history and traditional systems of medicine. It describes how pharmacognosy is the study of physical, chemical, biochemical, and biological properties of drugs from natural origins. It then outlines several traditional medicine systems from around the world, including Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, Unani medicine, homeopathy, siddha, aromatherapy, and contributions from important figures like Sushruta, Hippocrates, Aristotle, Dioscordies, Galen, and Linnaeus. The conclusion emphasizes that herbal medicines have been used for thousands of years by early civilizations to treat diseases and alleviate suffering.

1. HISTORY ANDTRADITIONAL SYSTEMS OF MEDICINE
B Y
RUDRADIP DAS
B.PHARM

2. HISTORY OF PHARMACOGNOSY
 The word “PHARMACOGNOSY” had been derived from two Greek
words, “Pharmakon” meaning drug and “Gnosis” meaning
knowledge
 It is defined as the study of physical, chemical, biochemical, and
biological properties of drugs, drug substances of natural origin.
 In other words, it is also defined as the study and research of crude
drug.
 Although most pharmacognostic studies focus on plants and
medicines derived from plants, other types of organisms are also
regarded as pharmacognostically interesting, in particular, various
types of microbes (bacteria, fungi, etc.), and, recently, various
marine organisms.

4. CONTRIBUTORS IN PHARMACOGNOSY
Sushrutha : He arranged 760 herbs in 7 distinct
sets based on some of their common properties. A large
population of India even today depend on the Indian system
of medicine contributed by him.
Hippocrates : Due to his immense contribution on
the field of unani medicine and crude drugs , this person is
nicknamed as the “FATHER OF MEDICINE”.
Aristotle : He influenced the Arabic system of
medicine and contributed a lot to it. He was nicknamed as
the “FIRST TEACHER”. His views on natural science are still
of great importance to modern medical professionals.

5. CONTRIBUTORSIN PHARMACOGNOSY
Dioscordies: He was an Arabian physician and also
contributed a lot to the Arabian system of medicines. Good
amount of progress was made during his lifetime.
Galen: He was known to have had a number of pain-
relieving materials , including opium in his apothecary. Throughout
this period, the use of herbal extracts for medicinal purposes
never lost its place.
Swede Linnaeus : He was a great pharmacist and he
classified the plants, introduced the system of naming the plants
known as the binomial system is still followed.

6. TRADITIONAL SYSTEM OF
MEDICINES
Chinese Medicine & Kampoh System
 The hypothesis includes two different systems, the yin and
yang theory.
 It says that everything in the universe consists of a dark(
yin) and light( yang ).
 There are five elements of this system – water, metal,
earth, fire and wood.
 Some of the important drugs are Panax ginseng ,
Ephedra sinica .

7. The yin and yang theory

8. Ayurveda – The Indian System of Medicine
 Composed of five basic elements – space, air,
energy, liquid and solid.
 They exist in the human body like vata(space & air),
pitta(energy) and kapha(liquid and solid).
 These three together are called the Tridosha.
 Some important drugs are Cassia angustifolia ,
Piper longum.
Bach Flower Remedies
 This system had been discovered by Edward Bach.
 These remedies are prepared from flowers of wild plants,
bushes or trees.
 This system changes the state of mind by releiving it
from stress.
 The drugs are prepared from chikory, wild rose.

9. Ayurveda – The Indian System of
Medicine
Bach Flower Remedies

10. Unani System of Medicine
 Based on the Hippocratic theory of four humours
and the Pythagorian theory of four proximate
qualities.
 The Greek ideas were put by Arabian physicians
as seven working principles (Umur –e- Tabia ).
 This systems aims at treating the cause of
disease and not its symptoms. Eg, Madar,
Kabab chini etc.
Naturopathy & Yoga
 It is a system of medicine based on the laws of
nature.
 This include physical exercise, contemplation ,
meditation, samadhi.
 This also includes hydrotherapy, baths, mud
packs, massage etc.

11. Unani System of
Medicine
Naturopathy &
Yoga

12. Homoeopathic System of Medicine
 This system of medicine had been developed by
Samuel Hahnemann – a German physician.
 This system of medicine uses a concept of prover &
proven.
 The drugs are extracted in mother tincture, then
further diluted in terms of decimal potencies.
 Viz- Arnica, Lycopodium, Nux – vomica.
Siddha System of Medicine
 The term ,”Siddha” means achievement.
 This system is practised through bhakti &
yoga.
 The literature of this system is mostly in
tamil.
 Viz- Papaver somniferum , Strychnos
nuxvomica

13. Homoeopathic
System of Medicine
Siddha System of
Medicine

14.  Besides these systems of medicines , another
system also prevails upon, which is known as
Aromatherapy.
 The treatment is done by applying different oils
of natural origin.
 They are either massaged into the skin or taken
asabath.
 They are used to treat skin problems, headache
, stress, insomnia etc
 Viz- calendula, juniper, lavender, sandalwood
etc.
Aromatherapy

15. CONCLUSION
The history of herbal medicines
is as old as human civilisations.
The documents many of which are
of great
antiquity, revealed that the plants
were used medicinally in China,
India, Egypt and Greece long long
ago.The human beings appear to
be afflicted with more diseases
than any other animal
species.Thus, it is very much clear
that he will sought to alleviate his
sufferings from diseases by
utilising plants present in nature
or by using the knowledge of
Pharmacognosy.

16. REFERENCES
 www.authorstream.in/traditionalmedicines
 www.jeevansanjivani.org/unanimedicines
 www.pharmainfo.net/traditionalmedicines
 Kokate,Gokhale,Purohit, A Text Book Of
Pharmacognosy , Traditional And Alternative
Systems Of Medicine (page 1.1 – 1.8 ) , Nirali
Prakashan