Analgesic: any member of the group of drugs
used to achieve relief from pain.
Anodyne: An anodyne acts to relieve or
soothe pain by lessening the sensitivity of the nervous system. It is a kind of
analgesic, and is often applied topically
AntiCancer: Herbs used as health tonics may
help to lessen the occurrence of cancers. Many medicinal plants contain
compounds that are shown to prevent cancer, which is unsurprising given the
large range of types of cancers and the host body systems they affect.
Antifungal: demonstrated significant
activity against several common infection-causing fungi
Antioxidant: Antioxidants help to control
or elimination of free radicals which can reduce cellular oxidation in the body
providing an important defense against degenerate diseases caused by oxidative
stress.
Antiperspirant: counteract perspiration,
and act as natural deodorants
Anti-rheumatic: herbs are helpful in a wide
range of arthritic conditions including Rheumatoid arthritis ,OsteoArthritis, Lupus
and, Gout. Herbs in this category often have Anti-inflammatory and
Analgesicproperties as well.
Antispasmodic: An antispasmodic herb
suppresses spasms, and reduce muscular tension. Smooth muscles like those that
line the stomach contract without conscious control, and cause spasms, cramps
and abdominal pain.
AntiViral: Plants have evolved very good defenses
against viruses over the millennia, and we can take advantage of these natural
protections against viruses for ourselves
Aromatic: Many of these highly
concentrated, fragrant oils, rich in chemical compounds, are extracted by steam
distillation from flowers, leaves, roots, seeds and bark and used in
aromatherapy. Not all plant essential oils are safe to use, however. Wormwood,
calamus and safrole, for instance, are toxic and should be avoided. All
essential oils should be handled with care.
Cardiac Tonic Cordial: Herbs that
strengthen the heart and the circulatory system are called cordials. These
herbs work by supporting the heart muscle and/or stimulating heartbeat in
manner beneficial to the body.
Chlagogue: Cholagogues are herbs that
support the gall bladder and liver by promoting the flow of bile from the gall
bladder into the intestines. Many are also choleretics (increasing bile
production). All bitter herbs are cholagogues to some degree. Bitter tastes are
mostly missing from the standard American diet (SAD), which may account
somewhat for the billions spent on prescription and OTC anti-acids and
heartburn remedies. Bitters can have an energizing effect for those who have
sluggish digestion and are protective even when taken in small amounts.
Cicatrisant: Herbs that help form scar
tissue
Cytophylactic: Stimulate cellular
regeneration
Deodorants:
eliminate odors
Diaphoretic: Induce perspiration and
sweating Diaphoretic or sudorific herbs
induce involuntary perspiration that helps to reduce fever, cool the body, and
speed the elimination of toxins from the system. These herbs are useful in
fevers, colds, and detoxification formulations.
Digestive: Herbs to stimulate digestion.
Diuretics: Treats abnormal accumulation of fluid under the skin
and water weight.Fluid retention, bloating, swollen feet,
dropsy, or edema all are caused by the retention of excess water - often in the
feet and ankles. Herbs that are diuretic in action stimulate the elimination of
fluid, without the depletion of minerals that is a common side effect of
prescription drugs. Diuretics are often included inweight loss and cellulite
treatment formulas, however excess water weight is easily regained and does not
represent real weight loss. If edema is a chronic problem, look for those herbs
that are tonic to the kidneysand liver and well as diuretic. Cleavers and
Horsetail are good examples.
Emmenogogue: Emmenagogues stimulate
menstrual flow in women who would normally be having a period. (not pregnant)
These herbs can also help to restore a normal cycle for those with missed or
irregular periods (amenorrhea).
Febrifuge: Also called antipyretic: Herbs
that reduce fever are useful in a wide range of conditions including colds and
flu and viral infections. Hot herbal teas should be given in good amounts, and
a tepid herbal bath can cool the body as well.
Hypotensive: Hypotensive herbs lower blood
pressure - relieving hypertension, or high blood pressure.
Insect repellents: Plants contain natural insect repelling
chemicals that have evolved as self-defensive mechanisms against predatory
insects. Many of these plants are aromatic herbs that use essential oils that
we humans can use to protect ourselves, our families and our gardens without
resorting to spraying poisons. Neem is considered one of the premium herbs to
use for a natural insect repellent for home and garden because of its
effectiveness and safety.
Muscle relaxant: Tense skeletal muscles
like those in your, neck shoulders and back cause tension headaches and
soreness.
Nervine: Herbs that directly act upon and
the nervous system are nervines. They can act as stimulants, relaxants or have
a tonic and resorative effect on the central nervous system, making nervines a
sort of "catch-all" category. Many of the these nervines contain
volatile essential oils.
Parturient : Promotes and eases childbirth.
Traditional herbs used in childbirth. Motherwort is considered one of the
premium herbs for women because of its effectiveness and safety.
Sedative: Herbs have a range of sedative
actions, that include pain-relief (analgesics), antidepressants, and anxiolytic
(anti-anxiety), often combining two or more actions. They calm the nerves and
relieve tension.
Splenic: Treatment for the spleen. Signs of
a weak Spleen include poor digestion, bloatedness, frequent bleeding and
bruising and anemia.
Stomachic: Herbs that are stomachic are
those who act most directly on the stomach, stimulate gastric digestion and
relieve the discomfort of generalized stomach pain and cramping.
Uterine Tonic: Uterine tonics are Women's
herbs for female reproductive health. They are often use to prepare women for
an easier childbirth by toning the muscles of the uterus. They can also be used
to address menstrual problems.
Vermifuge: Herbs that cleanse the body of
intestinal worms and parasites are called anthelmintic (expel) or
anti-parasite. They may also be called vermifuges (stunning) or vermicides
(killing). The harder the herb is on internal parasites, the harder it is on
the body, so use these cleansing herbs sparingly.
Vulnerary: Heals cuts, wounds and sores
