About & disclaimer
About FolkKB & important disclaimer
FolkKB is a free, multilingual, informational and educational reference about traditional and folk medicine. For each plant it describes how the plant has been traditionally used, what the scientific evidence says, and the known safety concerns and drug interactions — with a cited source and an evidence grade behind every statement. The information is free to read.
What FolkKB is
A reference that gathers and cites what is traditionally claimed and what the evidence shows, so you can read it critically and check the sources yourself.
What FolkKB is not
It is not a doctor, a pharmacy, a diagnosis, a prescription, or a recommendation to take — or stop taking — anything. It does not tell you what to use or how much.
I. This is information, not medical advice
The content on FolkKB is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not a substitute for professional medical care, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The phrase “traditionally used for …” describes history and culture — it does not mean a remedy is safe, effective, proven, or appropriate for you or for any condition.
II. Not evaluated by the FDA or other regulators
The statements and traditional uses described on this site have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Medicines Agency (EMA), or any other regulatory authority. Nothing on FolkKB is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
III. Not for self-treatment — and not for treating others
Do not use this information to diagnose or treat yourself, and do not use it to treat, dose, or advise any other person, including family members, children, or animals. We deliberately publish no dosages and no treatment protocols. Many plants are toxic, and many interact dangerously with prescription medicines. What was “traditionally taken” is recorded as history — never as a dosing instruction.
IV. Always consult a qualified professional
Do not delay, avoid, or replace professional care because of something you read here. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before using any herb, plant, or supplement — especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, considering it for a child or an older adult, take any medication, or have a medical condition.
V. In an emergency
If you think you may have a medical emergency, contact your local emergency services immediately. Do not rely on this website.
VI. Sources & accuracy
FolkKB aggregates and summarizes information from third-party sources — regulatory and pharmacopoeial monographs, peer-reviewed scientific literature, and ethnobotanical references — and every fact links to its source so you can verify it. We strive for accuracy but make no warranty that the information is complete, current, or error-free, and we are not responsible for the content of third-party sites we link to.
VII. How we grade & cite
Each statement carries a source tier (T0 meta-analyses and systematic reviews · T1 regulatory and pharmacopoeial monographs · T2 peer-reviewed primary research · T3 ethnobotanical records) and, where relevant, an evidence grade A–D reflecting the strength of the evidence. Traditional use (T3) is never automatically treated as proof of effectiveness. Known toxicity and drug interactions are always shown, never hidden — FolkKB is built to surface risk, not to sell hope.
VIII. Advertising, sponsorship & affiliate disclosure
FolkKB is free to read and may be supported by advertising, sponsored placements, and affiliate links. Blocks shown as “Advertisement”, “Sponsored”, or similar are paid promotions, and some product links may be affiliate links through which we could earn a commission at no extra cost to you. These placements are clearly labeled.
The presence of any advertisement, sponsor, or product is not an endorsement, and a paid placement is not medical advice. Advertising is kept editorially separate from the reference content: it does not influence which plants we cover, the sources we cite, or the evidence grades we assign. We do not sell the medicines or supplements described in the reference, and the appearance of an advertised product near a plant does not mean it is safe, effective, or suitable for you.
IX. Purpose & liability
FolkKB is an educational project. All content is provided “as is”, without warranties of any kind, express or implied. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the operators of FolkKB accept no liability for any loss, injury, or damage arising from the use of, or reliance on, this information or any third-party product or advertisement. By using FolkKB you accept this disclaimer.