Safety & disclaimer
How Botanica approaches safety, evidence, and health risks
Not medical advice
Botanica is an educational reference only. Nothing on this site is a diagnosis, treatment, or medical instruction. Always consult a qualified clinician before using any plant or preparation — especially if you have an existing medical condition, are taking medication, are pregnant, or are caring for a child.
How we flag safety
Every plant entry carries one of four safety flags. These flags reflect documented risk — they are not a guarantee of safety at any dose.
- Safe — No known safety concerns at documented traditional use levels.
- Caution — Known interactions, contraindications, or dose-dependent risks. Use only with professional guidance.
- Danger — Serious safety risk. Preparation instructions are not shown. For professional reference only.
- Excluded — Excluded from the main catalog due to serious toxicity or legal restrictions. Listed for awareness only.
How we read evidence
Each entry is assigned an evidence level based on the strongest source available for that plant's traditional use.
- ClinicalTested in human clinical trials. The highest standard of evidence.
- PreclinicalLaboratory or animal studies — promising but not yet confirmed in humans.
- Traditional (systematized)Documented in systematic traditional medicine literature (e.g., pharmacopoeia, clinical herbalism).
- FolkReported in folk medicine sources. Not clinically validated. Treat as anecdotal.
- HistoricalFound in historical texts. Limited or no modern study.
Folk and historical entries reflect documented traditional use only — not proven clinical efficacy.
Special precautions
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Many plants can affect pregnancy or pass into breast milk. Do not use medicinal plants during pregnancy or while breastfeeding without consulting a qualified clinician.
Children
Dosages and safety data for children differ significantly from adults. Do not give medicinal plant preparations to children without paediatric guidance.
Drug interactions
Plant preparations can interact with prescription medications — including blood thinners, antidepressants, and immunosuppressants. Always disclose plant use to your prescribing clinician.
Foraging & edible plants
Positive identification is required before eating any wild plant. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes that are visually similar. Never rely on photographs or brief descriptions alone — consult a qualified expert or use a comprehensive regional field guide.
Seek professional care
Do not delay emergency care. If you or someone else experiences a serious reaction, poisoning, or worsening symptoms — call emergency services immediately. Botanical information cannot substitute for medical intervention.