The Australian Institute of Pharmacognosy is a research and education organisation. Its articles, monographs and other material are general educational information about plants and plant-derived medicines. They are not medical or health advice for any individual, and they do not replace an assessment by a qualified practitioner.
Before using any herb
Do not use this website to diagnose or treat yourself or anyone else. Before using any herb, or if you are taking a prescription medicine, consult a degree-qualified herbalist with competencies and adequate training in pharmacognosy. A herbalist with that training understands herbs and pharmaceutical medicines, and how they interact.
Emergencies and poisoning
- In an emergency, call 000.
- For poisoning or a suspected overdose, call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 (24 hours, Australia-wide).
What our articles do and do not do
- Evidence is labelled. Each article says how strong the evidence is. Traditional or historical use, and results from laboratory or animal studies, do not show that a plant is safe or effective in people.
- We do not recommend or supply products. Mentioning a plant, compound or product is not a recommendation to obtain, prepare or use it, and the Institute does not sell therapeutic goods.
- Legal status matters. Some plants and substances we discuss are scheduled under the Poisons Standard, controlled under Commonwealth or Queensland law, or declared weeds. Our articles are not legal advice about what you may grow, possess or use. Check with the relevant regulator, such as the Therapeutic Goods Administration, Queensland Health or your state’s biosecurity authority.
- Plants can be toxic. Many plants we write about are poisonous. Do not harvest, prepare or take any plant because of something you read here.
- Traditional knowledge. Where we describe traditional uses, we do so for education and history. We do not endorse using that knowledge outside its cultural setting.
No practitioner relationship
Contacting the Institute does not create a practitioner-patient relationship. We cannot answer personal health questions by email.
Liability
Nothing in this disclaimer excludes any right you have under the Australian Consumer Law that cannot be excluded. Subject to that, and to the extent the law allows, the Institute is not liable for loss or harm arising from reliance on the general information on this website. See our Website Terms of Use.