A certificate of analysis is one piece of product quality—not the whole story. Here is what Norene’s Farmacy looks for before trusting a supplier or product.

Before a product reaches the Farmacy, we review brand fit, evidence, safety, supplier quality, testing, fulfillment, margin, customer experience, and future formula potential.

A tea, powder, capsule, tincture, essential oil, and standardized extract are not interchangeable. Product form changes dose, exposure, evidence, and safety.

Turmeric is the whole spice or plant material. Curcumin is one group of compounds within turmeric and is often concentrated in supplements.

Caribbean sorrel usually refers to Hibiscus sabdariffa, also called roselle. Here is where the names overlap—and where product identity still matters.

Peppermint and spearmint are not interchangeable. Compare their human evidence, common uses, product forms, and safety.

Natural does not automatically mean safe, and traditional use does not automatically mean clinical proof. Here are the claims Norene’s Farmacy will not make.

Our evidence rating shows how strongly a claim is supported before it reaches a product page, condition guide, or Dr. Village Report.

Maca is widely promoted for libido and sexual performance, but randomized-trial evidence remains limited.

Fennel has small randomized trials for menopause symptoms, but the evidence base is limited and study quality raises uncertainty.

Tulsi has small human trials suggesting benefits for perceived stress and some sleep measures, but the evidence is still early.

Lemon balm has some human evidence for anxiety and depressive symptoms, but trials are small and heterogeneous.

Cinnamon is heavily promoted for blood sugar, but studies conflict and species differences matter—especially because cassia cinnamon contains coumarin.

Boswellia may modestly improve osteoarthritis pain and function, but most studies are small and low quality.

Saffron has a growing randomized-trial literature for depressive and anxiety symptoms, but the evidence still has important limitations.

Panax ginseng has some human evidence for erectile function and mixed evidence for blood sugar, with important medication and safety considerations.

Green tea is a beverage; concentrated green tea extract is a supplement. The evidence and safety profile are not the same.

Sage has preliminary human research for memory and hot flashes, but the evidence is limited and high-dose thujone exposure matters.

Sexual-enhancement supplements are a high-risk category for exaggerated claims and hidden ingredients. Some ginseng research is promising, but the evidence is not definitive.

Weight-loss supplements are heavily marketed, but most have not been proven safe or effective. Green tea supplements do not produce meaningful weight loss.