Cultivation, collection, processing and storage of drugs of natural origin:
Answers
Pharmacognosy deals with the study of drugs which are prepared from natural resources like plants with medicinal properties.
Cultivation of the medicinal plants:
Asexual propagation - Natural and artificial vegetative methods.
Sexual propagation - with seeds.
Collection:
Plants are to be collected in appropriate seasons meant for it. Also, different plant parts are to be harvested at different appropriate times. Eg. Fruits are to be collected a little prior to ripening, few leaves need to be plucked in the morning hours.
Processing:
Collected plants are to be properly protected from moisture, insects and other contamination.
Specific parts are to be refrigerated or frozen.
Drying of the plant can be done via direct sunlight or vacuum drying.
Storage:
Proper environment and appropriate temperature is required for processed and dried medicinal plants.
It must be stored in dry, air-tight, moisture free, pollutant free containers. Better to keep away from sunlight.