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Glossary
of Herbal Terms
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| Term describing herbal activity- the action | Example |
| Adaptogen-
assists in the
adaptation to physiologic or psychological stress, usually through its effect
of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis |
Ginseng, Eleuthero |
| Alterative- has the effect of restoration of health | Goldenseal, Red clover |
| Analgesic- reduces pain | Calendula, Willow bark, St. John’s wort, Peppermint |
| Anodyne- soothes pain | Passionflower, Jamaican dogwood, California poppy |
| Anticatarrhal- helps the body eliminate excess mucus | Echinacea |
| Antidepressant- reduces symptoms of depression | St. John’s wort, Lemon balm, Lavender. |
| Antidote- counteracts a poison | Milk thistle |
| Anti-inflammatory- reduces the inflammatory response to illness or injury | St. John’s Wort, Arnica |
| Antimicrobial- assists in the destruction of pathogenic bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites or increases the body’s resistance to disease caused by these organisms | Garlic, Goldenseal, Bloodroot, Wild indigo, Echinacea, Thuja |
| Antioxidant- inhibits harmful oxidation processes in the body | Blueberry |
| Antipruritic- reduces itching | Calendula |
| Antirheumatic- reduces and prevents joint symptoms | Meadowsweet, Black cohosh, Sarsaparilla |
| Antiseptic- kills pathogenic microorganisms, especially on the skin | Rosemary, Birch leaf |
| Antispasmodic- reduces spasm of smooth muscle tissue | Fennel, Licorice, Lobelia, Cramp bark, Wild yam |
| Antitussive- soothes coughs | Cherry bark |
| Aperient- has mild laxative properties | Licorice |
| Astringent- binds to mucous membranes and reduces irritation and secretions | Oak bark, Blackberry root, Nettle, Witch hazel |
| Bitters- bitter tasting herbs used to stimulate gastric secretions, including bile flow, and gastrointestinal motility | Motherwort, Gentian |
| Carminative- reduces gastrointestinal irritation, inflammation, and gas | Chamomile, Rosemary, Dill |
| Cathartic- promotes strong bowel evacuation | Senna, Bloodroot |
| Cholagogue- carries off bile | Blue flag, Yellow dock, Spindle tree |
| Choleretic- increases bile secretion by the liver | Burdock |
| Demulcent- reduces tissue inflammation through high mucilage content | Mallow, Licorice, Slippery elm |
| Depurative- cleanses of impurities | Wild indigo |
| Diaphoretic- stimulates sweating | Elderberry, Pleurisy root |
| Diuretic- increases urinary output | Dandelion leaves, Parsley, Goldenrod, Bearberry |
| Emetic- causes vomiting (often at higher doses) | Bloodroot, Lobelia, Wild indigo |
| Emollient- soothes the skin | Calendula, Comfrey |
| Emmenagogue- stimulates menstruation and normal uterine function | Black cohosh, Motherwort |
| Escharotic- irritates the skin and produces a scab | Bloodroot |
| Estrogenic- has effects similar to estrogen, a female hormone. Also called a phytoestrogen | Coffee, Soy, Wild indigo |
| Expectorant- stimulates coughing and clearing of lung secretions | Horehound, Lobelia, Anise |
| Galactagogue- promotes milk production. | Chaste tree, Goat’s rue, Anise |
| Hypnotic- promotes sleep | Hops, Passionflower, Wild lettuce, Valerian |
| Hypotensive- reduces blood pressure | Hawthorn, Motherwort |
| Immunomodulator- strengthens the immune system | Echinacea, Astragalus |
| Laxative- causes evacuation of the bowels | Cascara |
| Nervine tonic- strengthens and supports the nervous system | Oats, St. John’s wort, Hyssop, Motherwort, Skullcap |
| Nervine relaxant- soothes the nervous system | Catnip, Lemon balm, Passionflower |
| Nervine stimulant- stimulates the nervous system | Mint, Lobelia, Ginger |
| Parturient- aids in childbirth | Partridgeberry, Raspberry leaf |
| Purgative- a very strong laxative | Senna |
| Rubefacient- causes redness of the skin due to increased blood flow | Horseradish, Cayenne |
| Sedative- has a calming effect on mind and body | Hops, Kava Kava |
| Sialogogue- stimulates saliva secretion | Cayenne |
| Tonic-
nutritive and supportive to whole body or part of body |
Nettle,
Cleavers Heart tonic, Cardiotonic: Hawthorn, Motherwort Liver tonic, Hepatic: Milk thistle Uterine tonic: Chaste tree |
| Vasodilator- Relaxes arteries in the peripheral circulation | Ginkgo |
| Vermifuge- clears body of worms | Wormwood |
| Vulnerary- promotes wound healing | Chickweed, Comfrey, Plantain |
