Tag: Pharmacognosy

The cardiac drug digoxin, which has been in use for more than 200 years, is a product of the herbal remedy derived from the foxglove plant. Its use was popularized in the 18th century for treating 'dropsy,' or edema associated with heart failure, a finding that shed light on a pivotal medical application of a naturally occurring but highly potent substance. This established the foundation for understanding what drug is extracted from foxglove and its profound impact on cardiovascular medicine.

Approximately 25% of all prescriptions dispensed in the United States contain active ingredients extracted from higher plants [1.2.3]. A classic answer to **What is an example of a natural drug?** is morphine, a potent pain reliever derived directly from the opium poppy [1.4.3].

Hibiscus trionum, known as Flower of an Hour, is not considered toxic to humans or pets [1.2.1]. This article examines its safety, edibility, and traditional medicinal applications based on pharmacological insights and botanical data.

Used for thousands of years in herbal medicine, colchicine is one of the oldest remedies still in use today, and the question 'what plant does colchicine come from?' reveals a fascinating history. This potent alkaloid is primarily derived from the bulb-like corms of the highly toxic *Colchicum autumnale* plant, also known as the autumn crocus or meadow saffron.

Dating back to 1550 B.C. in Egyptian medical texts, colchicine is a potent alkaloid used for pain and swelling [1.2.2]. This article answers, 'Which plant has colchicine in it?' and explores its pharmacology and toxicology.

For over 200 years, the foxglove plant has been the source of lifesaving heart medications. This article explains the pharmaceutical science behind how to extract Digitalis from Foxglove, a process strictly for professionals due to the plant's high toxicity.

The cardiac drug digoxin, prescribed for heart conditions for over two centuries, is still extracted from a natural botanical source. Its complex chemistry and therapeutic potential, however, originate not from a lab, but from a specific species of the foxglove plant, answering the question: what is the natural source of digoxin?.

Isolated in 1878 from the bark of the pomegranate tree (*Punica granatum*), Pelletierine is a piperidine alkaloid with a long history in traditional medicine [1.2.1]. So, **what is Pelletierine used for?** Its main application has been as an anthelmintic agent to treat parasitic worm infections, particularly tapeworms [1.2.2, 1.5.3].

Despite being known as a persistent weed in many parts of the world, Durva grass (*Cynodon dactylon*) holds sacred status in Hinduism and possesses immense medicinal value in Ayurveda. This article explores what is Durva drug, a plant celebrated for its healing, cooling, and purifying properties in traditional health practices.