blood purifier

gradually alter condition of body, help the body assimilate nutrients and eliminate waste products of metabolism, treat toxicity of blood, infections, athritis, cancer and skin eruptions

pain relievers

without loss of conciousness; some alalgesics are also antispasmodics relieving pain by reducing cramping in muscles (dong quai, cramp bark), or by affecting the nerves directly (cloves, kava kava) 

neutralize acids in the stomach

usually have demulcent properties to protect the stomach lining (dandilion, slippery elm, fennel, irish moss) 

abortion preventatives

usually taken in small quantities in early pregnancy:

red raspberry, cramp bark, false unicorn root, lobelia 

relieve asthma symptoms

can be antispasmatics, or break up mucous 

inhibit or destroy growth of backteria, viruses or amoebas

excessive use destroys good bacteria of intestines, have direct germ killing effects or work indirectly by stimulating the immune system

buchu, chaparral, echineacea, goldenseal, myrrh, juniper berries, thyme and garlic 

cooling herbs that reduce/prevent fevers

cooling refers to temp or reducing neutralizing acids in blood (excess heat)

alfalfa, boneset, basil, gota kola, skullcap, chickweed, seaweeds

substances applied to the skin to reduce growth of bacteria

includes astringents

goldenseal, calendula, chaparral, myrrh, oils of: garlice thyme pine sage juniper berries

herbs that prevent or relax muscle spasms (internal or external)

included in most herb formulas to relax body for healing

LOBELIA, dong quai, black cohosh, skullcap, valerian, kava kava, raspberry leaves, rue

substances that improve sexual potency and power

damiana, false unicorn, ginseng, angelica, astragalus, kava kava, burdock

substances with a constricting or binding effect

used to check hemmorrhoids, secretions, treat swollen tonsils

TANNINS found esp in tree barks

bayberry bark, white oak bark, yellow dock, uva ursi, calendula, myrrh, horsetail, juniper berries, stoneroot, squwvine, witch hazel

relieve gas/griping

anise, caraway, fennel, cumin, ginger, peppermint, calamus

promote flow and discharge of bile into small intestine

will also be laxatives

aloe vera, barberry, oregon grape root, mandrake, goldenseal, wild yam, licorice

soothing substaces taken internally to protect inflamed/damaged tissues

MUCILAGE

usually taken with diuretics to protect kidney and urinary tracct

marshmallow, comfrey, irish moss, slippery elm, chickweed, licorice, psyllium, flax, chia seeds, aloe vera, burdock, fenugreek

induce sweating

stomach and bowels should be emptied by fasting and enema NOT WITH LAXATIVES

dictinction b/t relaxing and stim

relax: lemon balm, catnip