HISTORY AND TRADITIONAL SYSTEMS OF MEDICINE

B Y RUDRADIP DAS

B.PHARM

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.

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.

CONTRIBUTORS IN PHARMACOGNOSYDioscordies : 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.

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 .

The yin and yang theory

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.

Ayurveda – The Indian System of Medicine

Bach Flower Remedies

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.

Unani System of Medicine

Naturopathy & Yoga

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

Homoeopathic System of Medicine

Siddha System of Medicine

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

CONCLUSIONThe 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.

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