Which field studies natural drug sources derived from plants, animals, and minerals?

• A. Pharmacognosy
• B. Pharmacology
• C. Toxicology
• D. Pharmaceutical chemistry

Answer: (A)

Pharmacognosy is the study of medicines derived from natural sources—plants, animals, and minerals. It focuses on identifying, isolating, and characterizing the active constituents in natural products, as well as their traditional uses and quality control. This makes it the best choice when the topic is about studying natural drug sources.

In contrast, pharmacology looks at how drugs act in the body, including mechanisms of action and effects; toxicology deals with safety, dose-related toxicity, and adverse effects; and pharmaceutical chemistry covers the chemical properties, synthesis, and analysis of drugs. Examples like morphine from opium poppy or taxol from the yew tree illustrate natural-source origins that pharmacognosy specifically studies.