A

Abortifacient:   An herb that induces or causes premature expulsion of a fetus.   Indications: Unwanted pregnancy.  Herbs: Tansy; Pennyroyal oil (caution: toxic)
 
Acrid: A heating, irritating herb that causes a feeling of warmth in the mouth or on the skin or mucous membranes.  Acrid Herbs often have antibacterial and blood-dispersing effects; removes coldness.   Indications: stagnant ulcers, feeling of internal coldness, digestive problems, retention of mucus in the upper respiratory tract.  Herbs: Bloodroot, Ginger, Prickly Ash.
 
Adaptogen: An herb that helps the body adapt to stress, increase endurance, speed recovery from illness and work, and strengthen immune function.  According to I.I. Brekhmann, the Russian doctor who studied and popularized the concept of adaptogens, they must fulfill 3 criteria: 1. Do no harm, place no stress on the body. 2. Help the body adapt to a wide range of environmental and internal stressors (noise, pollution, emotions). 3. An adaptogen has an amphoteric (normalizing) effect on the activity of several body systems--especially the nervous system, hormonal system, and immune system.  For instance, if the blood sugar is too low, it will bring it up; if too high, it will have a tendency to lower it. Herbs: Eleuthero, Rhodiola, Ashwaganda, Schisandra.
 
Adjuvant:  An herb that is added to a formula or mixture of herbs in order to enhance or change its overall activity. Indications:
Reduce side effects of herbs or formulas, enhance activity or taste.  Herbs: Licorice, Ginger, Orange peel.
 
Adrenal Tonic: An herb that supports adrenal function, for instance to counteract fatigue. These Herbs are especially indicated for people who have been under stress for an extended period, or who overwork themselves. Weakened adrenal function is often associated with "chronic fatigue syndrome," which may be a general deficient state of the hormonal, nervous, and immune systems possibly including a non-specific viral infection.  The syndrome may begin with "chronic adrenal fatigue," and thus adrenal tonics are always indicated.  They are also useful for people with blood sugar swings or imbalances, bouts of depression, and allergies. Herbs: Rehmannia, American Ginseng.
 
Alterative:   Herbs or foods that slowly alter the activity of a tissue, organ system, or an organism by enhancing nutrition, energy, or vitality, without overtly stimulating; an older term for an adaptogen or tonic.  Indications: Deficiency states, chronic fatigue syndrome, immune weakness, loss of muscle or organ tone, weak digestion.  Herbs: Echinacea. Eleuthero, Yellow Dock, Sarsaparilla, Dandelion (whole plant), Red Clover, Burdock roots and seeds.
 
Analgesic: An herb or procedure (such as hydrotherapy) that relieves or reduces feelings of pain.   Indications: pain.  Herbs: Jamaican Dogwood, Corydalis, Passion Flower.
 
Anaphrodisiac:   Removes sexual interest, reduces libido. Indications: Excessive sexual fantasies, desire.  Herbs: Skullcap, Hops.

Anesthetic, mild:   Deadens sensation.  Indications: Pain.  Herbs: Echinacea, Prickly ash, Clove oil; hydrotherapy (cold).
 
Anodyne: An herb that relieves pain; analgesic. Herbs: Jamaican Dogwood, Corydalis.
 
Anthelmintic: Destroys or removes intestinal worms. Indications: Worms. Herbs: Wormseed, Garlic, Tansy, Rue.
 
Antiallergic: Herbs that counteract allergies.  Generally, the herbs have an anti-inflammatory and antihistamine effect in the body. Herbs: Goldenseal, Oregon Grape root, Eyebright, Nettle, Aloe, Rhubarb (Emodin-containing herbs).
 
Anticoagulant: An herb that mildly inhibits blood coagulation through platelet activity. Herbs: Ginkgo, Garlic.
 
Anti-inflammatory: Herbs that lower inflammation, either by inhibiting prostaglandin (local-acting hormones) synthesis or blocking the production of inflammatory substances (such as histamine) by the immune system, or by other means. Herbs: Oregon Grape root, Yarrow, Chamomile, St. John’s Wort, Turmeric, Ginger, Pineapple stem, Hops.
 
Antibacterial: An herb that destroys bacteria or retards its growth, such as golden seal. Herbs: Garlic, Andrographis, Bloodroot, Thyme, Tea Tree, Berberine-containing herbs.
 
Anticholesteremic: Herbs that have a tendency to lower blood cholesterol with continued use. Indications: High cholesterol levels (over 180 or so).  Herbs: Shepherd's Purse, Garlic, Artichoke leaf, Psyllium, Oyster Mushrooms, Shiitake.
 
Antidepressant: An herb that helps relieve mild depression, such as St. John's wort. Herbs: St. John’s Wort, Rosemary, Green Tea.
 
Antidiarrhetic: An herb that slows or stops diarrhea, such as blackberry root. Herbs: Blackberry root, White Oak bark, Bilberry leaves, Potentilla root.

Antiemetic:  Counteracts or relieves nausea and vomiting. Indications: Nausea and vomiting associated with car-, sea-sickness, morning sickness, or other causes.   Herbs: Ginger, Lavender.
 
Antifungal: An herb that kills pathogenic fungus or retards their growth, such as black walnut. Herbs: Black Walnut, Garlic, Oregon Grape root, Barberry, Coptis.
 
Anhydratic, internal:  Anhydratics are Herbs that dry tissues, removing excess water. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, dampness is considered a disease-causing factor (pathogen).  Anhydratics then are herbs that counteract dampness or "drain" dampness.  They work in two major ways: 1. Astrngent herbs "tighten" or condense tissues to squeeze out excess moisture. Tannins in herbs can do this. 2. By increasing the elimination of water from the body through the kidneys and bowels--diuretics and aquaretics can do this. Herbs: White oak bark, witch hazel bark, uva-ursi, dandelion leaf, green tea, fuling, zhuling.
 
Antihydrotic, external: Also called anhydrotic, this is an herb that slows the production of sweat, such as sage leaf.  These are used in natural antiperspirants. Herbs: Sage leaf
 
Antilithic:   Dissolves and removes urinary gravel or stones (calculi). Helps prevent their formation. Indications: Tendency to form gravel or stones in the urinary tract. Often beneficial for heavy meat-eaters.   Herbs: Stone root, Gravel root, hydrangea root.
 
Antimicrobial: An herb that kills microbes of any type, such as bacteria. Herbs: Garlic, any berberine-containing herb, Oregano, Thyme oil (caution internally).
 
Antinauseant: An herb that quells nausea, such as ginger. Herbs: Ginger, Lavender.
 
Antioxidant: Antioxidants are compounds such as phenolic compounds found in fruits that bind with "free-radicals" and deactivate them.  Free-radicals are highly reactive molecules containing oxygen that can bind with the cell-walls and genetic material in the body's healthy cells, disrupting their function or even destroying them.  Free radical damage in the body is associated with an increased risk of cancer and is the main mechanism by which our vital organs are damaged when they do not receive sufficient blood, or when there is an infection.  For instance, in a heart attack, the heart muscle is deprived of blood for a period of time, and extensive damage to the heart muscle can occur--much of this damage involves the action of free-radicals, according to some scientists. Herbs: Rosemary, Lemon balm, Elderberry fruit.
 
Antiperiodic: Usually refers to an herb or substance that helps relieve cyclic fevers, as in malaria.  Herbs: Quinine, Artemisia annua (Sweet Annie).
 
Antiphlogistic:  See Anti-inflammatory.
 
Antiplatelet: Inhibits platelet activity, supposedly reducing blood viscosity and coagulability. Herbs: Garlic, Ginger, Feverfew, Motherwort, Yarrow.
 
Antipyretic:  Reduces fever by turning down the temperature control in the hypothalamus.   Indications: Fever. Herbs: Willow bark, Meadowsweet (salicylate-containing herbs).
 
Antirheumatic: An herb that lowers inflammation and helps relieve the pain and swelling associated with rheumatism. Herbs: Feverfew, Willow bark, Devil’s Claw, Figwort.
 
Antiscorbutic:   Relieves and prevents scurvy by supplying vitamin C. Indications: Vitamin C deficiency due to inadequate dietary intake. Herbs: Rose Hips, Citrus fruits.
 
Antiseptic:   Inhibits the growth of harmful organisms (bacteria, etc.), kills on contact. Indications: Exposure to bacteria, cuts, wounds, abrasions; useful in mouth rinses.  Herbs: Bloodroot, Usnea, Tea Tree oil.
 
Antispasmodic:   Relieves or reduces spasms, especially in smooth muscle (uterus, intestine, blood
vessels, bronchi). Indications: Uterine cramping during PMS, colitis, irritable bowel syndromes, high blood pressure, stranguary. Herbs: Wild Yam, Chamomile, Yarrow, California Poppy.
 
Antitoxin:  The herb has the ability to help the body remove as well as neutralize toxins from the blood, organs, and tissues. Herbs: Coptis, Honeysuckle, Elder Flower, Yarrow, Forsythia.
 
Antitraumatic: An herb that helps the body deal with trauma and speed up the healing process.  For example, arnica has anti-inflammatory effects, and it can help prevent the formation of blood stagnation and pain after a sprain, strain, or blow. Herbs: Arnica, Sweet Clover, Yarrow, Plantain, Calendula.
 
Antitumor: This remedy inhibits tumor growth, or prevents its formation. Some Herbs stimulate immune function to specifically increase its ability to target tumor cells and destroy them. Herbs: Shiitake, Maitake, Turkey tails, Burdock root, Garlic, Brassica cultivars (kale, etc.).
 
Antitussive:  Relieves or reduces the urge to cough.   Indications: Coughing, throat irritation.  Herbs: Coltsfoot, Mullein, Licorice, Loquat leaf.
 
Antiviral: An herb that kills viruses or slows the progression of viral infection in the body, such as the watery fraction of lemon balm. Herbs: Andrographis, St. John’s wort, Lemon Balm, Garlic, or by inducing the antiviral activity of the immune respons (Shiitake).

Aperient: A gentle stimulant (stimulating tonic) to the digestion; a mild laxative. Indications: Constipation, weak, painful digestion, stress affecting digestion and elimination.   Herbs: Artichoke leaf, Yellow Dock, Dandelion, Wormwood tea, Immature citrus fruit slices.
 
Aphrodisiac:  A sexual stimulant. Indications: lowered sexual desire.  Herbs: Damiana, Muira Puama, Yohimbe; perhaps Kava and of course Cannabis.
 
Appetizer: Stimulates the appetite.  Indications: Weak, painful digestion, lowered interest in food.  Herbs: Artichoke leaf, Gentian root, Bitter tonics.
 
Aquaretic: A gentle herbal diuretic, such as dandelion leaf, that increases the body's output of urine, helping to relieve edema. Herbs: Uva-Ursi, Dandelion Leaf, Green Tea, Asparagus root, Juniper.
 
Aromatic: Herbs or remedies that are grateful to the digestion (well-tolerated); mildly stimulating; usually essential oil-containing. Herbs that warm the mucous membranes and cool the interior of the body.   Indications: Asthma, Fevers, Colds, Flu, Mucous Membrane Infections (especially Chronic).  Herbs: Peppermint, Fennel, Cumin, Dill seed.
 
Astringent: Polyphenolic (tannin)-containing Herbs that contract tissues, removing moisture (drying), cross-linking proteins.  Astringent herbs can be anti-viral, antibacterial, anti-diarrheal, etc. Indications: Burns, urinary tract infections, diarrhea. Herbs: Green Tea, Oak bark, Willow bark, Persimmons, Rhatany, Bilberry.
 
Azoturic: An azoturic is a remedy that increases the elimination of nitrogenous waste products from the body through the urine or feces. Herbs: Sarsaparilla.

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B

Balsam: A resinous, aromatic, sticky plant exudate containing phenolic acids (benzoic acid derivatives), having stimulating, warming and anti-microbial properties.   Indications: Coldness, blood stagnancy, infections, scabies, respiratory ailments (asthma, bronchitis, coughs, etc.).   Herbs: Balsam of Peru, Balsam of Tolu, Styrax.
 
Bitter: Herbs or foods that taste bitter and activate the appetite and digestion. Indications: Weakness of the digestion, chronic illness, nervous system weakness, stress, lowered hydrochloric acid output in stomach, poor protein digestion, etc. Herbs: Gentian, Artichoke, Barberry, Golden Seal, Oregon Grape.
 
Blood Builder: An herb that helps enrich the blood, stimulating the production of new blood cells. Herbs: Dong Quai, Rehmannia, Nettle, He Shou Wu; Digestive tonics.
 
Blood Purifier: A blood purifier is an herb that stimulates the immune system, liver, and bowels to increase the removal of waste products from the blood.  In the immune system, there are large phagocytic (cell-eating) immune cells called macrophages that engulf waste products, diseased cells, and cellular debris and break them down and recycle them. The blood purifier echinacea is known to stimulate the activity of these immune cells. Other herbs like burdock might work by increasing bile output from the liver.  It is known that toxins and other undesirable chemicals are carried in the bile, and when the output is increased, more will be eliminated through the bowels. Some blood purifiers work by increasing the release of toxins through the sweat (when used as a warm tea); and the urinary release of toxins when used as a cool tea (elder flowers, blue vervain); and aquaretics, which also increase output of waste products (sarsaparilla, parsley root). Herbs: Red Clover, Burdock root, Yellow Dock root.
 
Blood-mover: An herb that stimulates the movement of blood in various parts of the body.  In traditional medicine, pain is often associated with "stagnant blood," or blood stasis.  When the blood vessels are dilated and directed through an area of stagnation, the pain should be relieved. Herbs: Dong Quai, Prickly Ash bark, Turmeric.
 
Bronchodilator: An herb that dilates the bronchi, the large air passages leading into the lungs, allowing freer movement of air in and out. Herbs: Ephedra (Ma Huang), Green Tea, Lobelia, Cannabis.

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C

Calmative: A mild sedative or relaxing herb.  Indications: Mild restlessness, nervousness, upset stomach, mild anxiety. Herbs: Catnip, Linden. Lemon Balm, Chamomile, California Poppy, Valerian.
 
Cardiac: Beneficial to the heart, or sometimes helps relieve a feeling of fullness or discomfort in cardiac region or near the pyloric valve.  Indications: Feeling of fullness or oppression over the heart or pyloric valve, heart weakness.  Herbs: Hawthorn, Motherwort, Hops, Cactus.
 
Carminative:  Herbs or essential oils that help the bowels release gas. They work by relaxing spasms of the intestine and increasing peristalsis to push gas out. Some carminatives, like peppermint oil, may also desensitize pain sensors, helping to relieve gas pains. Indications: Flatulence, gas pains.  Herbs: The Four Greater Carminative Seeds-Anise, Caraway, Cumin, And Fennel; Four Lesser Seeds--Bishop's Weed, Stone Parsley, Celery Seed, And Wild Carrot; also the Mint family, especially Peppermint.
 
Cathartic: Divided into purgatives and laxatives--an herb that helps facilitate the emptying of the bowels. More forceful than a laxative, but less so than a purgative. Stimulates peristalsis, decreases uptake of water from the fecal mass, which makes feces softer. Indications: Constipation. Herbs: Aloe, Rhubarb, Senna, Cascara, etc.
 
Caustic: Corrosive--destructive to living tissue. Used to stimulate new granulation in a stagnant ulcer.   Indications:  Ulcers that won't heal, warts -- USE WITH CAUTION!  Herbs: Spurge latex, Buttercup, Bloodroot.
 
Cholagogue:  An herb that increases the flow of bile into the duodenum.  Indications: Weak digestion, poor fat digestion, gallbladder problems, constipation. Herbs: Artichoke leaf, Dandelion, Chicory, Gentian, Centaury, Turmeric, Fringetree, Boldo.
 
Counterirritant: An irritation produced in one part of the body, such as the dermatones on the skin, to relieve congestion in another part (such as the liver). Indications: Sore muscles, aches, pains, congestion in internal organs, for instance lung congestion (mustard plaster).  Herbs: Cayenne, Mustard seed plaster, Ginger fomentation, Camphor oil, etc.

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