The Department of Pharmacognosy was established in the year 1988 to keep abreast of the rapid developments in the knowledge and utilization of medicinal plants. There is an ever increasing acceptance for the past three decades for herbal drugs all over the world. The universal role of plants in the treatment of disease is exemplified by their employment in all the major systems of medicine. The department is involved in the protection of endangered medicinal species and the isolation of new drugs and lead compounds from traditional remedies.

TIFAC CORE- Herbal Drugs

Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) has been carrying out Mission and Programs under the Technology Vision 2020 projects. One of these missions, code names REACH (Relevance and Excellence in achieving new heights in educational institutions), aims at upgrading select science and engineering college, in the country as “Centres of Relevance and Excellence (CORE)” to broaden the level of education and meet the scientific technological manpower requirements of India in advanced areas promising to show-up on the horizon in the years to come. The Apex Committee appointed by TIFAC selected JSS College of Pharmacy, Ooty, to locate a CORE in Herbal Drugs under the TIFAC, MISSION REACH Projects. The TIFAC CORE in Herbal Drugs has been functioning since January 2001. As per the mandate entrusted to JSS College of Pharmacy, Ooty, by TIFAC, Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India, the major objective of the TIFAC-Centre of Relevance and Excellence in Herbal Drugs is to undertake research programmes for the Indian industries engaged in manufacturing Herbal Drugs/Traditional Medicinal

  • To function as a skill-development centre for all stake holders of natural products
  • To serve as a training/knowledge centre for empowering tribal youth to sustain indigenous tribal/folk medicine
  • To serves as a consultant for natural product industry and regulatory needs at various capacities
  • To design and offer new academic (industry relevant) programme
  • To become an international leader in natural product research & development

Commercial Products Developed From Pharmacognosy Department

  • HAPENZ, a polyherbal syrup formulation (natural appetizer) for children was developed and the technology transferred to our industrial partner. The product was commercialized by M/S TABLETS INDIA Ltd., Chennai and it is well received by the market.
  • “NSF-3”, a polyherbal tablet formulation for sleep was developed and the technology was transferred to our industrial partner, TABLETS INDIA Ltd., Chennai. It has been commercialized.
  • The centre has filed five patents to its credit, out of which two have been granted