Our Methodology

Every herb and claim in HerbAlly receives an evidence grade from A to Traditional Use:

A (Strong Evidence): Multiple randomized controlled trials (RCTs), systematic reviews, or meta-analyses demonstrating consistent positive results. Example: Ginger for pregnancy nausea has Level A evidence.

B (Moderate Evidence): Some RCTs or well-designed observational studies showing positive results, but evidence is limited by sample size, duration, or study quality. Example: Ashwagandha for stress reduction.

C (Limited Evidence): Preliminary clinical evidence, small pilot studies, or promising mechanistic data with insufficient human trials. Example: Many traditional herbs awaiting rigorous clinical evaluation.

Traditional Use: Long history of traditional use (100+ years) with ethnographic documentation, but limited or no modern clinical trials. These herbs may still be valuable, but efficacy claims are based on historical rather than scientific evidence.

D (Anecdotal): Only anecdotal reports or theoretical plausibility without clinical data. We flag these clearly and recommend caution.

We prioritize sources in this order:

1. Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses: Cochrane Database, PubMed systematic reviews
2. Randomized Controlled Trials: Peer-reviewed RCTs with adequate sample sizes
3. Authoritative Monographs: WHO Monographs, German Commission E, EMA Assessments
4. Government Databases: NCCIH (NIH), NLM (PubMed), FDA GRAS notices
5. Pharmacopoeias: USP, British Pharmacopoeia, European Pharmacopoeia
6. Traditional Sources: Historical pharmacopoeias, ethnographic records

We avoid: Marketing materials, manufacturer-funded studies without peer review, and unverified online sources.

Safety data is evaluated separately from efficacy:

Contraindications: Conditions where the herb should not be used (e.g., pregnancy, liver disease, specific medication interactions)

Precautions: Conditions requiring medical supervision or dose adjustment

Drug Interactions: Based on pharmacokinetic data and case reports. Severity classified as: - Contraindicated: Never combine - Severe: High risk; require monitoring - Moderate: Moderate risk; consult healthcare provider - Mild: Low risk; monitor for side effects

Pregnancy & Nursing: Reviewed against FDA categories, traditional use data, and clinical safety studies. When data is insufficient, we err on the side of caution.

Each herb monograph follows this process:

1. Literature Review: Systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane, and specialized databases
2. Evidence Extraction: RCTs and systematic reviews evaluated for quality and relevance
3. Grading: Independent evidence grading by at least two reviewers
4. Safety Review: Drug interactions, contraindications, and pregnancy data reviewed by medical herbalist
5. Citation: All claims linked to primary sources with PMIDs where available
6. Medical Review: Final review by MD or qualified medical herbalist
7. Publication: Monograph published with "Last Reviewed" date

Update Cycle: Monographs are reviewed annually and updated immediately upon significant new evidence.

We believe in honest communication about what we know and don't know:

What We Do: Provide evidence-based summaries of herbal medicine research What We Don't Do: Make medical recommendations, replace doctor consultation, or guarantee outcomes

Limitations: - Herb quality varies by source; we cannot verify your specific product - Individual responses to herbs vary significantly - Traditional evidence doesn't always translate to modern clinical efficacy - Research gaps exist for many herbs

Our Bias: We are committed to evidence over tradition. If traditional use conflicts with negative clinical evidence, we highlight the clinical findings.

For each herb, we identify:

Primary Actives: The compounds most likely responsible for observed effects Mechanism: How these compounds interact with human physiology Bioavailability: How well compounds are absorbed and utilized Standardization: Whether commercial extracts standardize for these compounds

This information helps users understand: - Why different brands may vary in effectiveness - What to look for on supplement labels - How formulation affects bioavailability (e.g., curcumin + piperine)