This course explores the cultural, biological, and therapeutic dimensions of medicinal plants through the complementary fields of ethnobotany and pharmacognosy. Students examine how traditional knowledge of plant use connects with contemporary scientific approaches in health research and natural product studies. The course combines theoretical study with laboratory and field-based learning in plant identification, ethnobotanical documentation, and pharmacognostic analysis.
Pharmacognosy and Ethnobotany
Hybrid
Course Overview
Key Topics
- Medicinal and aromatic plants in traditional and contemporary healing systems
- History and foundations of pharmacognosy and ethnobotany
- Ethnobotanical research methods and documentation ethics
- Plant taxonomy, morphology, and identification
- Bioactive plant compounds and their properties
- Harvesting, processing, and cultivation of medicinal plants
- Ethnobotanical data in relation to modern therapeutics
- Micropropagation, tissue culture, and applied laboratory methods
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Interpret the role of medicinal plants in traditional and modern health contexts
- Identify, classify, and document medicinal and aromatic plants
- Analyse key macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of plant materials
- Apply ethnobotanical field methods and ethical documentation practices
- Connect cultural uses of plants with pharmacognostic and biological evidence
- Evaluate the relevance of traditional plant knowledge in contemporary research and clinical settings
Teaching & Learning Format: Hybrid
Assessment
- Laboratory reports
- Oral presentation
- Final written report
- Written examination
Indicative Background: Prior exposure to plant biology, botany, organic chemistry, plant taxonomy, or pharmacology is recommended.