Traditional context
Long-standing use in a named tradition or community, presented as historical or cultural context rather than proof of effect.
Citation Methodology
How we describe sources and evidence
Herbal information can become misleading when tradition, research, regulation, and personal advice are mixed together. Our method keeps those categories separate so visitors can understand what a page is actually saying.
Regulatory monograph
A published assessment or monograph from a recognised body, used to understand accepted wording, cautions, and limits.
Human research
Clinical or observational research in people, summarised cautiously with population, size, and relevance in mind.
Laboratory or animal research
Early-stage research that may explain possible mechanisms but cannot be treated as proof of benefit in people.
Expert or practitioner context
Professional interpretation or clinical experience, clearly separated from formal evidence and individual medical advice.
Reference models we use
These sources influence the structure of our herb profiles, guide reviews, and safety prompts. They do not automatically prove a herb is suitable for any individual visitor.
Public safety guidance
NHS herbal medicines guidanceOur safety prompts follow the same practical direction: check medicines, pregnancy, breastfeeding, children, existing conditions, product status, and professional advice before personal decisions.
Consumer herb fact sheets
NCCIH Herbs at a GlanceA useful herb page should separate common names, traditional context, research summaries, possible side effects, cautions, and routes to further information.
Professional monograph style
MSK About HerbsFor deeper herb profiles, we look for the same kind of disciplined structure: traditional uses, evidence context, adverse effects, and interaction questions kept distinct.
Regulatory monograph context
EMA HMPCWhere a regulatory monograph exists, we treat it as context for wording, preparations, accepted use categories, and safety limits, not as personal medical advice.
Source categories we look for
Not every page will need every category. Empty or irrelevant sections should be hidden rather than padded.
- UK and EU regulatory guidance, including MHRA, ASA/CAP, EFSA, EMA HMPC, and relevant public-health sources where applicable.
- Peer-reviewed research indexed through sources such as PubMed, with attention to study type, scale, limitations, and direct relevance.
- Traditional Ayurvedic and herbal references, presented as tradition or historical context rather than modern clinical proof.
- Qualified practitioner input for service design, safety review, and practical wording boundaries where appropriate.
How summaries are written
We summarise cautiously, name limitations where relevant, avoid overstating early research, and keep source-led statements separate from practical editorial guidance.
What citations do not mean
A citation does not mean a herb is safe, effective, suitable for a visitor personally, or approved for treating a condition. Personal advice belongs with an appropriate qualified professional.