Jalil, Banaz; Wolfram, Evelyn; Baloch, Manael; Heinrich, Michael; (2025) 'Walking the EQUATER': From the CONSORT statement (1996) to better reporting in the 'Science of Botanicals'/Ethnopharmacology: 'Walking the Equator' implies integrating 'reporting guidelines' as they are summarised on the Equator Network and understanding the resources relevant for reporting research. Journal of Ethnopharmacology , Article 120901. 10.1016/j.jep.2025.120901. (In press).

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Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: In the quest for scientific rigour and reproducibility, the CONSORT Statement (1996) and subsequent developments of reporting guidelines have played an important role in improving the comprehensive and standardised reporting and practice in clinical (i.e., health and biomedical) research. However, in ethnopharmacology and the broader science of botanicals, despite the availability of structured guidance, such as the herbal extension of CONSORT and ConPhyMP guidelines, the understanding, implementation, critical assessment and regular use of such reporting standards remain inconsistent and require improvement. / Aims: This review aims to bridge this gap by investigating the historical development and challenges of reporting scientific studies, and provides evidence about the current situation of the application of the herbal extension of CONSORT and ConPhyMP guidelines via case studies. Material and Method: While cross-disciplinary efforts continue to generate new guidelines to overcome the reproducibility crisis in various scientific domains, their application to research on medicinal plant extracts and herbal medicines is worryingly underdeveloped. / Results: Many studies continue to be published without adhering to fundamental, checklist-based criteria, undermining their reproducibility and the broader applicability of their findings. This constrains the potential health benefits and the credibility of ethnopharmacological evidence. Medicinal plant and ethnopharmacological research need more rigorous, standardised, and transparent reporting to effectively ‘walk the line’ between traditional knowledge systems and modern scientific standards. Hence, the appropriate integration of traditional medicine into the global healthcare system. Such alignment could enable the science of botanicals to achieve more appropriate integration into respective global healthcare systems. / Conclusions: The review provides a detailed insight into the current level of adaptation and implementation of reporting guidelines in the field of botanicals/ethnopharmacology and offers practical recommendations and ways forward.

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