The Brazilian Society of Pharmacognosy is a scientific society, created in 1941 and later reactivated in 1976, which brings together teachers, researchers, students and professionals who believe in the importance of Pharmacognosy as a branch of Pharmaceutical Sciences, for Brazilian science and society.

Pharmacognosy is the oldest branch of Pharmaceutical Sciences and its target of study is natural active substances, whether animal, vegetable, microbial or marine. Only from 1811 onwards was the term Pharmacognosy introduced, which derives from the Greek pharmakon (drug) and gnosis (knowledge). This term was used for the first time by the Austrian doctor JA Schmidt in 1811. Pharmacognosy became a mandatory subject in Pharmacy courses in Brazil from 1925 onwards, being one of the most important areas of pharmaceutical knowledge.

The broadest definition of Pharmacognosy is "the simultaneous application of several scientific disciplines with the aim of understanding natural drugs from all aspects”. Or, Pharmacognosy is "a multidisciplinary science that contemplates the study of physical, chemical, biochemical and biological aspects of drugs or potential drugs of natural origin as well as searching for new drugs from natural sources".

Originally – during the 19th and early 20th centuries – the term Pharmacognosy was used to define the branch of medicine that dealt with natural raw materials, especially vegetables, with potential for therapeutic use, in raw or unprocessed form. Vegetable drugs are the used part of the dried and stabilized medicinal plant, which can be whole, scraped or pulverized. Although most pharmacognostic studies focus on plants and derivatives, other types of organisms are also considered to be of pharmaceutical interest, such as bacteria and fungi and also marine organisms.

Pharmacognosy is interdisciplinary, interfacing with botany, ethnobotany, medical anthropology, marine biology, microbiology, phytochemistry, herbal medicine, pharmacology, clinical pharmacy, agronomy, among others.

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The objectives of SBFgnosia are :

• Bring together researchers, teachers, professionals and students interested in medicinal plants;

• Study, discuss, stimulate research in order to promote Pharmacognosy in its broadest attributions;

• Collaborate with public authorities in the study and solutions of problems that directly or indirectly relate to Pharmacognosy;

• Disseminate Pharmacognosy through magazines, bulletins, books, website;

• Ensure Pharmacognosy.