Production of Crude Drugs

Production of Natural Drugs :
Drugs from commercial markets and drug establishment , this process include ( 3 ) steps : -
1- Collection 2- Drying 3- Storage

1- Collection of the Crude drugs : -
The plant parts which used for healing the diseases are collected from the cultivated plants in the farms either by means of skilled workers as in case of ( Belladonna , Digitalis and Cindrona plants ) , while other drugs such as ( Black pepper , Henna ) are collect by means of un skilled workers . The collection process affect by some important factors as :
1- Season of the collected plant
2- Plant age
3- Daily weather
4- The stage of the physical maturity of the plant part used
Naturally all of these factors are affect the ( Quality & Quantity ) of the active constituents of the part used . Examples :
For the factor ( 1 ) ( Season of the collected plant ) : -
Ex 1:- The corms of Colchicum plants in summer season are contain a high concentration of the poisonous compound ( Colchicine ) , while during winter & spring seasons we can see that such compound is disappear , and for this reason the collection of the corms in winter and spring use for eating .
Ex 2 :- We find that the leaves of (Peppermint , Eucalyptus & spearmint ) plants during spring season are contain a high concentration of ( Volatile oils ) , while during summer & winter we find that the concentration of these oils become lower .

Factor ( 2 ) ( The plant age ) : -
Ex 1: Cinchona trees posses high concentration of the alkaloid ( Cinconin ) in their barks when they are within ( 6-9 ) years old .
Ex 2: The bark of the Cinnamon plants can be collect when the plants becomes ( 8 years old ) .