Methodology

This page explains how The Leaf Index builds and ranks its strain catalog.

Data sources

Strain records begin from publicly available "strain guide" documentation. We parse each source for factual signals - strain type, THC range, terpene mentions, aroma and flavor descriptors, reported effects, medical associations, lineage, and cultivation notes.

Original rewriting

We never republish source text. An editorial language model rewrites each entry into original wording grounded strictly in the extracted facts. Where a detail is not supported by the source, we describe it generally or omit it rather than invent specifics.

Effect scores

Relaxation, energy, creativity and appetite scores are relative, 0-100 indicators derived from each strain's documented profile. They are intended for comparison and discovery, not as clinical measurements.

Rankings

"Best for" lists rank strains by the attributes most relevant to that goal (for example, relaxation for sleep, energy for daytime), giving well-documented, widely recognized strains priority. Rankings reflect commonly reported tendencies, not medical efficacy.

Corrections

Strain data is messy by nature. If you spot an error, we welcome corrections so the catalog improves over time.