Herbal drug technology

Herbal medicines have formed the foundation of healthcare systems across civilizations for centuries. In recent decades, there has been a renewed global interest in herbal drugs owing to their natural origin, therapeutic potential, and growing acceptance as safer alternatives or complements to synthetic medicines. With this increasing relevance, it has become essential for pharmacy students and professionals to develop a clear scientific understanding of herbal raw materials, their sources, processing, cultivation practices, and quality considerations. This book, Herbal Drug Technology, has been prepared in accordance with the prescribed syllabus for undergraduate and postgraduate pharmacy programs, with a special focus on conceptual clarity, academic rigor, and practical relevance. The primary objective of this book is to present the fundamentals of herbal drug technology in a structured, systematic, and student-friendly manner while maintaining professional and scientific standards. The content of this book covers the complete spectrum of herbal drug technology, starting from herbs as raw materials, their selection, identification, authentication, and processing, to agricultural practices such as biodynamic farming, good agricultural practices, organic farming, and pest management. Further, it elaborates on Indian systems of medicine, nutraceuticals, herbal formulations, evaluation, stability testing, and the role of national research institutions working with medicinal and aromatic plants. Emphasis has been laid on explaining why herbal drugs require approaches different from synthetic pharmaceuticals, particularly due to their natural variability and complex composition. Care has been taken to use simple, clear, and precise language so that the subject becomes easily understandable to students without compromising academic depth. Wherever required, examples and explanatory discussions have been included to enhance comprehension and practical orientation. The book avoids unnecessary repetition and focuses on meaningful elaboration of concepts that are essential for understanding herbal drug technology as a scientific discipline. It is hoped that this book will serve as a reliable academic resource for B.Pharm and M.Pharm students, as well as a useful reference for teachers, researchers, and professionals involved in herbal drug development and quality assurance. Suggestions for further improvement are always welcome and will be gratefully acknowledged in future editions.