Glossary Pt. 2: Important Herbal Actions

Adaptogen: Increases body’s endurance and resistance to physical, chemical and biological stressors—helps the body cope and adapt. 

Alterative: Gradually restores health and vitality through assimilation of nutrients, waste elimination and returning to proper function

Analgesic: Relieves pain when administered internally or externally

Antacid: Neutralizes excess acid in stomach and intestinal tract

Anticatarrhal: Counteracts the buildup of excess mucus and inflammation in sinus and upper respiratory parts

Antidepressant: Helps relieve and or prevent depressed states of mind. 

Anti-emetic: Relieves nausea and vomiting

Anti-inflammatory: Combats extensive and painful inflammation

Anti-microbial: helps body’s immune system destroy and or resist the proliferation of pathogenic micro-organisms (viral/bacterial) 

Anti-oxidant: protects the body against free radical damage

Antiseptic: Prevents and eliminates sepsis

Antispasmodic: Prevents and eases spasms and cramps

Aperient: gently stimulating to the digestive system. Very mild laxative. 

Astringent: Contracts, Firms and Strengthens body tissue

Bitter: Stimulates normal Secretion of digestive juices and benefits digestion. 

Carminative: Rich in aromatic volatile oils. Sweet/spicy/fragrant aroma and pleasant flavor will excite peristalsis, promote expulsion of gas. Soothe stomach and support healthy digestion. 

Cholagogue: Promotes discharge and flow of bile from the gallbladder

Demulcent: mucilaginous herbs to relax, soothe and protect tissue

Diaphoretic: induces perspiration, dilates capillaries, and increases elimination via the skin

Diuretic: increases flow of urine

Emmenagogue: Increases menstural flow

Emollient: Soften, soothes and protects skin

Expectorant: supports respiratory system by removing excess mucus

Ferbifuge: Assists body to reduce fever

Galactagogue: increases flow of mother’s milk

Hemostatic: Arrests bleeding

Hypnotic: Powerful relaxant and sedative action; induces sleep

Hypotensive: Reduces elevated blood pressure

Immune stimulant: Stimulates immune system to fight infection

Laxative: Promotes evacuation of bowels 

Lymphatic: Supports health and movement of the lymphatic system

Nervine: has a relaxing and stimulating or toning effect on the nervous system

Refrigerant: cooling agents to lower body temp

Sedative: Calms nervous system, reduces stress and nervous irritation with in the body

Sialagoguge: Promotes flow of saliva

Stimulant: Warms body, quickens circulation, breaks up congestion

Stomachic: tonic to the stomach

Syptic: Reduces and stops external bleeding

Tonic: Improves assimilation of nutrients. Improves systemic tone, increases body’s vigor and strength. 

Vasodialator: Expands blood vessels and increases circulation

Vulnerary: Assists the body to eat wounds (external).