the methodology of research in traditional medicine

in countries having traditional medicine (tm), one of the main challenges for any researcher is research methodology. current methodologies are different with what was in past. the main purpose of this article is to present the steps (herbs, claims and methodology) of research in tm fields. 1. assessment of herbs history, method of study, quality assessment, efficacy, safety, toxicity and therapeutic effect are included in this part. 2. efficacy and safety of herbs botany, therapeutic effect, toxicology methods, how to study toxicity will be explained in this part. 3. assessment of tm products this part contains herb identification, certification, standardization, claims for therapeutic effect, confirmation of safety of herb. 4. claims for efficacy of herbs it includes various claims, concept, features, base, importance, and evidence to confirm these claims. 5. method of study this includes for in vitro/in vivo studies (observational and interventional). in addition, the role of meta analysis will be discussed. 6. ethical committee ethics in research, ethical committee, their activity, check list of committee for any study will be explained.