Crude drug

Crude drug refers to any naturally occurring, unrefined substance derived from organic or inorganic sources such as plant, animal, bacteria, organs or whole organisms intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in humans or other animals. Crude drugs are unprocessed materials of the highest possible quality.

History

The use of crude drugs dates back to prehistoric times. Ancient civilizations used plants, animals, and minerals for their therapeutic properties. The Ebers Papyrus, one of the oldest known medical texts, contains references to hundreds of medicinal plants and their uses.

Classification

Crude drugs can be classified based on the part of the plant used (root, stem, leaves, etc.), their nature (animal, plant, mineral), and their uses (medicinal, aromatic, poisonous). They can also be classified based on their chemical constituents such as alkaloids, glycosides, volatile oils, and tannins.

Preparation

The preparation of crude drugs involves several steps including collection, drying, packing, storage, and transportation. The quality of the final product depends on the care taken during these steps. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides guidelines for the collection and preparation of crude drugs.

Uses

Crude drugs are used in various forms such as powders, pills, decoctions, infusions, and tinctures. They are used in traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Unani. They are also used in modern medicine for the production of drugs and pharmaceuticals.

Quality Control

Quality control of crude drugs involves checking the identity, purity, and potency of the drugs. This is done through various tests such as organoleptic evaluation, chemical tests, and biological tests. The Pharmacopoeia provides standards for the quality control of crude drugs.

Challenges

The use of crude drugs faces several challenges such as adulteration, substitution, and variation in quality. There is also a lack of standardization and regulation in the production and use of crude drugs.

See Also

• Pharmacognosy
• Herbalism
• Traditional Medicine
• Phytotherapy