Adaptogen: improves the body’s ability to adapt to stress, whether mental, physical or emotional.
Alterative: curative herbs which gradually nourish and purify the system
Analgesic/anodyne: relieves pain
Antacid: reduces stomach acid
Anthelmintic: destroys or expels worms from the digestive system
Anti-biotic: inhibits the growth of bacteria. Some herbs directly kill pathogens, while others stimulate the body’s own immune response
Anti-catarrhal: removes excess catarrh (mucous), mostly from the upper respiratory tract
Anti-depressant: lifts mood, counters depression
Anti-emetic: reduces nausea and vomiting
Anti-fungal: helps the body destroy or resist fungal pathogens. Some actually kill fungal organisms and others support the body’s immune system to fight infection
Anti-histamine: oppose the action of histamines
Anti-hypertensive: reduces blood pressure
Anti-inflammatory: helps the body fight inflammation
Anti-neoplastic: inhibits the growth of tumours
Anti-oxidant: cancer preventative, reduces number of free radicals in the body
Anti-pruritic: relieves itching
Anti-septic: inhibits growth of bacteria, prevents infection, cell decay and pus formation
Anti-spasmodic: relaxes muscle. Herbs which reduce or ease muscle spasms in both skeletal and smooth muscle (i.e. intestines)
Anti-tussive: suppresses cough reflex when this has become damaging. Herbs which are used to soothe irritating, painful coughs
Anti-viral: kills viruses or leaves them unable to replicate
Anxiolytic/anti-anxiety: reduce anxiety and related feelings of unease
Aperient: mild laxatives to promote regular bowel movement and function
Aphrodisiac: increase sexual potency or excitement
Aromatic: contain aromatic compounds which stimulate the digestion
Astringent: have a binding action on skin or mucous membranes which has a drying, toning effect. Astringent herbs can stop bleeding, excessive fluids or discharges
Bitter: have a bitter taste, stimulate the flow of digestive fluids and liver function. Detoxifying
Carminative: relax stomach and intestinal walls, relieve gas and promote digestion
Cholagogue: stimulate the flow of bile from the liver
Demulcent: soothe inflamed or irritated tissues
Detoxifying: support the liver in removing toxic substances
Diaphoretic: promotes sweating, cools you down
Diuretic: increases the formation and flow of urine. There are a lot of different mechanisms by which a herb can achieve this
Emetic: causes vomiting. In modern herbalism these are only used in cases of poisoning
Emmenagogue: stimulate or normalize menstrual flow. Can bring on a late period
Emollient: have a soothing or healing effect on the skin
Expectorant: help to remove obstructive mucous from the lungs and airways
Febrifuge: reduces fever
Galactagogue: increases the flow of milk from nursing mothers
Haemostatic: stops or prevents bleeding. Often Astringent herbs
Hepatic: supports the function of the liver
Hypnotic: promotes sleep
Hypoglycaemic: reduces and regulates blood sugar
Hypotensive: reduces blood pressure
Immunostimulant: stimulates the actions of the immune system
Immunomodulator: regulates the actions of the immune system, i.e. when it is overactive as in autoimmune conditions
Laxative: irritates the bowels and promotes contractions to stimulate excretion
Lymphatic: stimulate and cleanse the lymphatic system
Narcotic: powerful analgesics which often also have a hypnotic effect
Nervine: have a relaxing effect on the central nervous system, can reduce anxiety, promote sleep, or strengthen and tone the nerves
Oestrogenic: normalizes balance of oestrogens in the body.
Oxytocic: promote and assist in easier childbirth
Rubiefacient: increase flow of blood to the skin where they are applied (externally). Produce redness on application e.g. chilli
Sedative: exert a strongly relaxant effect on the nervous system
Tonic: strengthen and support the function of a specific organ, or the whole body
Vasoconstrictor: reduces blood flow, tightens the blood vessels
Vasodilator: increases blood flow, dilates the blood vessels
Vulnerary: helps wounds to heal. Many Astringents, Demulcents and Emollients have wound healing properties
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