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Terminology
Medical Action of Herbs
33
Plant Sciences
Not Applicable
01/01/2011

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Term
Alteratives
Definition

Commonly referred to as Blood Purifiers.  Agents that gradually and favorably alter the condition of the blood.  They aid the body in assimilating nutrients and eliminating metabolic waste products: neutralizes acidic conditions of the body, aids in protein assimilation, generally high in minerals and some vitamins.  

 

Ex:  Burdock Root, Dandelion Leaf and Root, Echinacea, Red Clove, Golden Seal, Oregon Grape Root, Nettles, Yellow Dock Root

Term
Analgesics/Anodynes
Definition

Herbs used to reduce pain.  Used both internally and externally depending on the herb.  May also be antispasmodics, relieving pain by reducing cramping in muscles.  Most effect the nerves directly by reducing pain signals to the brain.


Ex:  Skullcap, Valerian, Lobelia, Catnip, Chamomile, Cloves, Cramp Bark, and Passion Flower

 


Term
Antacids
Definition

Herbs used to neutralize excess acids in the stomach and intestines.  Most also contain demulcent properties to soothe, protect and heal the stomach lining. 

 

Ex:  Irish Moss, Slippery Elm, Fennel Seed, Dandelion Leaf and Root, Most Seaweeds, and Psyllium Seeds

Term
Anthelmintic/Parasiticides
Definition

Herbs that destroy or expel worms and parasites from the system.

 

Ex:  Aloe, Garlic, Pomegranate (the white rind of), Chaparral, Rue, Wormwood, Thyme Oil, Thuja, and Tansy.

Term
Antiasthmatic
Definition

Herbs that help relieve the symptoms of asthma by dilating the bronchioles and breaking up mucus.

 

Ex: Coltsfoot, Mullein, Lobelia, Yerba Santa, Elecampane, Pleurisy Root, and Comfrey Leaf and Root

Term
Antibiotics
Definition

Herbs that may have a direct germ killing action, most work by direct stimulation to the body's immune system.  

 

Ex:  Chaparral, Echinacea, Garlic, Golden Seal, and Thyme.

Term
Anticatarrhals
Definition

Herbs that help eliminate and prevent excessive catarrhal (mucus) buildup in the system.

 

Ex. Cayenne, Ginger, Sage, Echinacea, Golden Seal, Garlic, Mullein, Yarrow, and Yerba Santa

Term
Anti-Lithic/Lithotriptics
Definition

Herbs that help prevent and eliminate urinary and biliary stones and gravel.

 

Ex. Urinary Stones: Gravel Root, Parsley Root, Marshmallow Root, Dandelion Root, Cleavers, Buchu, Cornsilk, and Stone Root.

Ex. Biliary Stones (gall bladder):  Oregon Grape Root

Term
Antiseptics/Anti-microbial
Definition

Herbs that help prevent the growth and bacteria and resist pathogenic micro-organisms.

 

Ex.  Golden Seal, Chaparral, Calendula, Myrrh, Sage, Garlic, and the essential oils of Eucalyptus, PIne, Clover, Juniper Berries, and Thyme.

Term
Anti-spasmodics
Definition

Herbs that prevent or ease cramps in the body and muscle spasms

 

Ex. Cramp Bark, Lobelia, Black Cohash, Lady's Slipper, Skullcap, Valerian, Wild Lettuce, Wild Yam, and Blue Cohash

Term
Astringents
Definition

Herbs that constrict tissue by precipitating proteins and thus reduces discharge and secretions.  Most astringents contain tannins.

 

Ex. Bayberry Bark, Wild Oak Bark, Witch Hazel, Princess Pine, Uva Ursi, Cranesbill, and Oak Gall

Term
Bitters
Definition

Herbs that act as stimulating tonics for the digestive system through a reflex via the taste buds

 

Ex. Centaury, Gentian, Golden Seal, Horehound, and Wormwood

Term
Carminatives
Definition

Herbs that are rich in volatile oils, stimulate the peristalsis of the digestive system and relax the stomach.  Their most known function is aiding the  release of gas and griping on the bowels.


Ex. Angelica, Anise, Caraway, Cardamon, Calamus, Ginger, Dill, Cayenne, Chamomile, and Peppermint

Term
Demulcents
Definition

Herbs that are rich in mucilage.  Soothing and healing to irritated and inflamed tissue.  Important herbs in most formulas.

 

Ex. Comfrey, Slippery Elm, Licorice, Irish Moss, Chickweed, Psyllium, Chia Seeds, Flaxseed, Aloe Vera, Fenugreek, Mullein, and Oatmeal.

Term
Diaphoretics
Definition

Herbs that induce sweating by stimulating the kidneys.  Diaphoretics must be taken hot; when given cool or cold they influence the kidneys in a different method - they act as diuretics.

 

Ex. Yarrow, Catnip, Elder, Ginger, Peppermint

Term

Diuretics

 

Definition

Herbs that increase the flow of urine.  Used to treat water retention, cystitis, overweight, edema, and types of skin infections.

 

Ex. Parsley, Uva Ursi, Cleavers, Buchu, Dandelion, Nettles, Horsetail, Cornsilk, and Yarrow

Term

Emmenagogues

 

Definition

Herbs that help promote menstruation flow and bring on the cycle.  This term is often used in a more generalized way to describe herbs used as tonics to the female system.

 

Ex. (promote menstruation): Pennyroyal, Rue, Black Cohash, Blue Cohash, and Angelica (tonics for female reproductive system): Blessed Thistle, False Unicorn Root, Motherwort, Raspberry, and Yarrow.

Term
Emollients
Definition

Herbs that applied externally soften and soothe the skin.  Similar to demulcents which are used internally, these soothing herbs are called emollients when used externally.

 

Ex. Flaxseed, Slippery Elm, Comfrey, Oatmeal, and Chickweed.

Term
Expectorants
Definition

Herbs that help expel or expect excess mucus from the system.

 

Ex. Eucalyptus, Elecampane, Lobelia, Yerba Santa, Coltsfoot, and Grindelia.

Term
Galactogogues
Definition

Herbs that increase the secretion of mother's milk.

 

Ex. Fennel, Fenugreek, Aniseed, Blessed Thistle, and Raspberry.

Term
Hepatics
Definition

Herbs that aid the liver, help tone, strengthen and increase bile flow of the liver.  All contain active bitter principles.

 

Ex. Dandelion, Oregon Grape Root, Golden Seal, Wild Yam, and Yellow Dock.

Term
Hemostatics
Definition

Herbs that help stop hemorrhaging and internal bleeding.  Including astringents that affect the blood coagulation.

 

Ex. Cayenne, Yarrow, Shepherds Purse, Cranesbill, Golden Seal, and White Oak Bark

Term
Laxatives
Definition

Herbs that promote bowel movement.  Laxatives are milder and less drastic than purgatives.

 

Ex. Cascara Sagrada, Senna, Flaxseed, and Rhubarb Root

Term
Lithiotripics
Definition

Herbs that help dissolve and eliminate urinary and biliary stones/gravel.

 

Ex. (Kidney Stones): Gravel Root, Parsley Root, Dandelion Root, and Nettle

(Gallbladder): Oregon Grape Root, Wild Yam Root and Cascara Sagrada

Term
Nervines
Definition

Herbs that calm, strengthen and tone the nervous system

 

Ex. Catnip, Chamomile, Passion Flower, Lady's Slipper, Oat Straw, Peppermint, Valerian, and Wild Lettuce

Term
Pectorals
Definition

Herbs that have a general healing and strengthening effect on the respiratory system.

 

Ex.  Coltsfoot, Comfrey, Elecampane, Mullein, and Licorice

Term
Rubefacients
Definition

Herbs that when applied to the skin stimulate the dilation of the capillaries and can cause local irritation.  They thereby draw inflammation and congestion from deeper tissue.  They also increase circulation and promote surface warmth.

 

Ex. Cayenne, Clove Horseradish, Mustard, and Ginger

Term
Sedatives
Definition

Herbs that reduce stress and nervous disorders throughout the body.  Are used as an aid for sleep and to induce calmness.

 

Ex. Black Cohosh, Valerian, Passion Flower, Lady's Slipper, Chamomile, and Skullcap

Term
Sialagogues
Definition

Herbs that stimulate the secretion of saliva and thus aid in the digestion.

 

Ex. Echinacea, Cayenne, Black Pepper, Gentian, and Ginger

Term
Stimulants
Definition

Herbs that increase the energy of the body by quickening and enlivening the physiological function of the body.

 

Ex. Cayenne, Ginger, Peppermint, Ginseng, Sarsaparilla, Sage, Rosemary, Astragalus, Prickly Ash, Mustard, and Horseradish.

Term
Styptics
Definition

Herbs that reduce or stop external bleeding by their astringent and/or coagulating effects.

 

Ex. Yarrow, Shepherd's Purse, Cobwebs

Term
Tonics
Definition

Herbs that strengthen, nourish and enliven specific organs of the body.  Most tonics have general effects on the whole body and, depending on the tonic herb being used, specific effects on various organs.

 

Ex. Ginseng, Dong Qui, Nettle, Dandelion, and Raspberry Leaf

Term
Vulneraries
Definition

Herbs that help heal the body by promoting cell growth and repair.

 

Ex. Aloe Vera, Comfrey, Golden Seal, Chickweed, Calendula, Plantain, and St. John's Wort.

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