Herbal Action Words

Front 1

Astringent

Back 1

Contracts, firms, and strengthens body tissues by precipitating proteins, and can reduce excess secretions and discharge.

Front 2

Anticatarrhl

Back 2

Counteracts the build up of excessive mucous and inflammations in sinus or other upper respiratory parts.

Front 3

Anti-hydrotic

Back 3

Reduces sweating, either by acting on the circulatory system, or by affecting nervous excitability of secretory cells.

Front 4

Thymoleptic

Back 4

Helps relieve or prevent depressed states of mind.

Front 5

Anti-septic

Back 5

Prevents or eliminates sepsis (infectious destructive conditions of tissue).

Front 6

Demulcent

Back 6

Mucilaginous herbs which relax, soothe and protect tissue.

Front 7

Deriative/Counterirritant

Back 7

Draws blood and other fluids from one part of the body to relieve congestion in another.

Front 8

Adaptogen

Back 8

Amphoteric / modulating action increases the body’s resistance and endurance to a wide variety of adverse influences from physical, chemical and biological stressors, assisting the body’s ability to cope and adapt.

Front 9

Alterative

Back 9

Gradually restores health and vitality to the body by acting on the lymphatic system & eliminating wastes through all the excretory pathways.

Front 10

Bitter

Back 10

Stimulates the normal secretion of digestive juices, benefiting digestion. This stimulating action helps counteract physical, and to a certain extent, emotional depression.

Front 11

Analgesic

Back 11

Relieves pain when administered orally or externally.

Front 12

Antacid

Back 12

Neutralizes excess acid in the stomach and intestinal tract.

Front 13

Aphrodisiac

Back 13

Increases sexual excitement and desire (libido)

Front 14

Rubifacient

Back 14

Induces local irritation of skin, drawing blood and other minerals to the surface from deeper tissues, relieving congestion and inflammation.

Front 15

Anti-spasmodic

Back 15

Prevents or eases spasms or cramping in the body

Front 16

Aperient

Back 16

A gentle stimulant to digestion, having a very mild laxative action

Front 17

Diaphoretic

Back 17

Induces increased perspiration, dilates capillaries, increasing elimination through the skin.

Front 18

Diuretic

Back 18

Increases the flow of urine either by increasing glomerular filtration rate or by decreasing the reabsorption of fluid in the kidney's distal tubule.

Front 19

Laxative

Back 19

Promotes evacuation of the bowels.

Front 20

Carminative

Back 20

Rich in aromatic volatile oils having a sweet, spicy or fragrant aroma which can lead to a pleasant flavour to other herbs, excite peristalsis, promote the expulsion of gas, and soothe the stomach, supporting healthy digestion.

Front 21

Chologogue

Back 21

Promotes the discharge and flow of bile from the gallbladder.

Front 22

Choleretic

Back 22

Promotes the production of bile in the liver.

Front 23

Anti-emetic

Back 23

Relieves nausea and vomiting.

Front 24

Emollient

Back 24

Applied to the skin to soften, soothe and protect.

Front 25

Expectorant

Back 25

Supports the respiratory system by assisting it to remove excess mucous.

Front 26

Vulnerary

Back 26

Assists the body to heal wounds. This action is used externally. Arrests bleeding.

Front 27

Anti-microbial

Back 27

Helps stimulate the body's immune system to destroy or resist the proliferation of pathogenic micro-organisms.

Front 28

Anti-oxidant

Back 28

Protects the body against free radical damage (free radicals are highly reactive compounds that bind to and destroy other molecules).

Front 29

Lymphatic

Back 29

Support the health and activity of the lymphatic system.

Front 30

Nervine

Back 30

Affects the nervous system; having either a relaxing, stimulating, and/or tonic effect, depending on the herb used.

Front 31

Emmenagogue

Back 31

Increases menstrual flow.

Front 32

Vasodilator

Back 32

Expands blood vessels, allowing increased circulation.

Front 33

Sialogogue

Back 33

Promotes the flow of saliva

Front 34

Stimulant

Back 34

Warms the body, quickens circulation, and breaks up obstructions and congestion.

Front 35

Stomachic

Back 35

Stimulative tonic to the stomach.

Front 36

Tonic

Back 36

Nourishes tissues and alleviates conditions related to weakness by restoring organ and system function.

Front 37

Hepatic

Back 37

Strengthens and tones the liver, stimulating its secretory function.

Front 38

Hypnotic

Back 38

Has a powerful relaxant on the mind and sedative action which helps to induce sleep.

Front 39

Hypotensive

Back 39

Reduces elevated blood pressure

Front 40

Refidgerant

Back 40

Cooling agents which lower body temperature and relieve thirst.

Front 41

Rubefacient

Back 41

Generates a localized increase in blood flow when applied to the skin. Often used to warm the skin and ease the pain and swelling of joints.

Front 42

Sedative

Back 42

Calms the nervous system by reducing stress and nervous irritation throughout the body.

Front 43

Anti-pyretic/Febrifuge

Back 43

Assists the body to reduce fever.

Front 44

Galactogogue

Back 44

Increases the flow of mother’s milk.

Front 45

Styptic

Back 45

Reduces or stops external bleeding by astringent action.

Front 46

Hemostatic/Anti-hemorrhagic

Back 46

Stops bleeding internally.

Front 47

Anthelminthic

Back 47

Anti-microbial against worms and parasites.

Front 48

Hepatotrophorestorative

Back 48

Restores liver cells.