Herbal Glossary
If you’re a keen plant student, you’ve probably already gathered that herbal medicine is a whole new language.
Herbs have certain qualities that make them medicinal - we call these ACTIONS
Below is an A-Z of some of the most common actions that you’ll come across and their definitions.
A
Adaptogen
Increases the body's resistance to physical, biological, mental or emotional stressors and aids in supporting normal function.
Alterative
Aids elimination in the body (often used synonymously with depurative)
Analgesic
Relieves or reduces pain (sometimes called anodyne)
Anaphrodisiac
Reduces libido and sexual activity
Anthelmintic
Aids in killing or expelling intestinal worms
Anti-allergic
Inhibits the allergic response
Anti-androgenic
Reduces the production of male hormones
Anti-arrhythmic
Helps to normalise heart rhythm
Antibacterial
Halts the growth of bacteria
Anti-catarrhal
Reduces mucus secretion
Anti-coagulant
Reduces rate of blood clotting
Anti-lithic
Prevents formation of stones or calculi (such as kidney stones)
Anti-microbial
Destroys harmful microorganisms
Anti-oxidant
Prevents oxidation and formation of harmful free radicals
Anti-pyretic
Reduces fever
Anti-septic
See Anti-microbial
Anti-spasmodic
Reduces muscle spasm
Anti-tussive
Relieves coughing
Aphrodisiac
Increases libido and sexual activity
Astringent
Causes contraction of tissues and mucous membranes, thus reducing secretions
B
Bitter
Has a bitter taste which stimulates appetite and secretion of saliva and other digestive juices, via a reflex mechanism, thereby aiding digestion
Bronchodilator
Relaxes the air passages causing them to widen
C
Cardiotonic
Improves function of the heart
Carminative
Relieves flatulence (intestinal wind/gas)
Cholagogue
Increases the flow of bile
Choleretic
Stimulates the production of bile by the liver
Circulatory stimulant
Improves peripheral circulation
Counter irritant
Causes surface irritation or inflammation in order to soothe deeper pain or inflammation e.g. using cayenne or camphor rub to relieve joint or muscle pain
D
Decongestant
Decreases congestion of the mucous membranes
Demulcent
Soothes inflammation or irritation of mucous membranes
Depurative
Improves detoxification of the body through improving the function of the various organs of elimination (also known as an alterative)
Diaphoretic
Promotes sweating
Digestive stimulant
Stimulates digestion
Diuretic
Increases urination and/or increases metabolic waste excretion through urine
E
Emetic
Causes vomiting
Emmenagogue
Stimulates menstrual flow
Emollient
Soothes inflammation or irritation of the skin
Expectorant
Promotes the clearance of excess mucus from the respiratory system
F
Febrifuge
Reduces fever (antipyretic)
G
Galactagogue
Increases the flow of breast milk
H
Haemostatic
Reduces or stops bleeding
Hepatic
Nourishes the liver and improves it's function (Hepatorestorative)
Hepatoprotective
Protects the liver
Hypertensive
Increases blood pressure
Hypocholesterolaemic
Lowers blood cholesterol
Hypoglycaemic
Lowers blood sugar levels
Hypotensive
Reduces blood pressure
I
Immunomodulator
Regulates or adjusts the immune function
Immunostimulant
Stimulates immune system by various means
L
Laxative
Stimulates bowel movements
Lymphatic
Stimulates the movement and flow of the lymph
M
Mucolytic
Breaks up or dissolves mucus
O
Oxytocic
Stimulates uterine contactions
R
Rubefacient
Stimulates blood flow to skin
S
Sedative
Promotes feeling of calm or sleep
Sialagogue
Stimulates secretion of saliva
Spasmolytic
Reduces muscle spasm (anti-spasmodic)
Styptic
Stops bleeding when applied topically
T
Thymoleptic
Improves mood
Trophorestorative
Nourishes and restores function of an organ or system
V
Vermifuge
Expels intestinal worms
Vulnerary
Stimulates healing of wounds
