Monographs and scientific evidence in the era of AI – unde venis – quo vadis ESCOP?

The landscape of scientific evidence generation and dissemination, as well as the demand for and retraction of knowledge by audiences, is undergoing a major shift with the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI). However, the knowledge base on the traditional use of herbs—and the datasets on which AI systems are trained—remains largely intransparent to users. Monographs, particularly within institutions like the European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy (ESCOP), are still developed through careful review of primary literature, typically applying PRISMA or similar criteria to assess study quality. Based on its 35-year history (unde venis) [ 1 ], ESCOP’s approach in parallel of more regulatory-driven monographs from public European institutions—has long served as a key reference for the traditional and well-established use of herbal medicines. Yet in an era of data abundance and algorithm-driven synthesis, the question arises: quo vadis? AI enables real-time literature analysis, dynamic meta-analyses, and machine-assisted guideline development—putting traditional static monograph systems at risk of obsolescence unless modernized. Initiatives like Herbal CONSORT [ 2 ], which promotes standardized reporting in herbal trials, and Empowered by Evidence [ 3 ], a platform for reliable herbal research, are shaping a new evidence culture that fits AI’s potential. The founding of the WHO Traditional Herbal Medicine Centre further signals a global shift toward uniting traditional knowledge with scientific rigor. ESCOP is now part of the Global Alliance of Integrative Health and Medicine (GAIHM), fostering international collaboration between researchers and practitioners. To stay relevant, ESCOP must adopt AI-supported workflows, collaborate with these emerging networks, and evolve its monographs into living, adaptable tools reflecting ongoing scientific and clinical developments. Natural language processing and science-based algorithms should be applied thoughtfully and competently—rather than relying solely on mainstream prompts or general-purpose chatbots [ 4 ]. This convergence of tradition and innovation presents a unique opportunity to reinforce the scientific foundation of herbal medicine in the 21st century. Publication History Article published online: 05 March 2026 © 2026. Thieme. All rights reserved. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany