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Medicinal Herbalism > Herbal Actions > Flashcards

Herbal Actions Flashcards

Energetic actions that suggest the description of what an herb does in the body.

1
Q

Abortifacient

A

Violent emmenagogue; poison that creates reaction

Example: tansy

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2
Q

Adaptogen

A

Helps the body deal with stress

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3
Q

Alterative

A

Restores proper function in body

Nutrition, assimilation, filtering, detox, cleanse, elimination

Examples: nettles, burdock, creeping charlie, dandelion

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4
Q

Analgesic

A

Pain reliever, moves flow to reduce pain

Examples: plantain, willow, st john’s wort, yarrow, cayenne

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5
Q

Anticatarrhal

A

Helps the body to remove excess mucous from the body

Counteracts inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose and throat

Examples: plantain, golden rod, elderberry & flower, peppermint

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6
Q

Anti-inflammatory

A

Reduces inflammation

Examples: meadowsweet, willow, cayenne

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7
Q

Anti-microbial

A

Supports infectious system against microorganisms

Can include: antibacterials, antifungals, antivirals, antiparasitics

Examples: cinnamon, cloves, mustard, sage

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8
Q

Anti-nausea

A

Reduces nausea

Examples: peppermint

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9
Q

Anti-rheumatic

A

Deals with musculoskeletal aches and pains

Examples: solomon’s seal, willow, prickly ash

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10
Q

Antispasmodic

A

Reduces spasms in smooth muscle, involuntary tissues (bowels, uterus)

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11
Q

Astringent

A

Dries, tightens and tones tissue

Note: Wound-healing in moderation as they may increase likelihood of scarring

Examples: raspberry leaf, witch hazel

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12
Q

Bitter

A

Stimulates/promotes appetite or digestion

Examples: dandelion

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13
Q

Carminative

A

Helps intestines expel gas and griping, “digestives”

Examples: culinary herbs high in volatile oils; peppermint, basil

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14
Q

Cholagogue

A

Helps bile secretion, stimulates peristaltic action (aka pooping), aids gall bladder

Examples: yellow dock, celandine

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15
Q

Diaphoretic

A

Opens pores, promotes sweating and cleansing of skin

Examples: elder flower/berry, peppermint

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16
Q

Demulcent

A

Acts on inflamed or irritated internal membranes

Examples: marshmallow, slippery elm, oatmeal

17
Q

Diuretic

A

Acts on the kidneys to increase flow of byproduct (urine)

Examples: dandelion leaf, plantain, burdock, joe pye weed

18
Q

Emmenagogue

A

Stimulates menstruation; any plant that affects women’s health

Examples: black cohosh, motherwort, yarrow

19
Q

Emollient

A

Acts on inflamed or irritated external membranes

Examples: aloe, plantain, yellow dock

20
Q

Expectorant

A

Promotes drainage of mucus from the lungs

Examples: plantain, lobelia

21
Q

Febrifuge

A

Reduces fever

Examples: feverfew, elder flower

22
Q

Galactagogue

A

Helps increase milk flow and lactation

Also tend to be nervine and nutritive

Examples: milkweed, prickly lettuce, motherwort

23
Q

Hepatic

A

Used to “tone” and strengthen the liver, increase the flow of bile, and aid in hepatic (liver) detox

Examples: dandelion root, milk thistle, licorice

24
Q

Laxative

A

Gentle bowel aid

Examples: burdock, elder

25
Q

Nervine/Sedative

A

Relieves stress

Examples: peppermint, lavender, lemon balm, chamomile, valerian

26
Q

Purgative

A

Irritates bowel lining; tends to cleanse or purge, especially causing evacuation of the bowels

Examples: cena, buckthorn, coffee

27
Q

Rubefacient

A

Stimulates blood flow topically; increases flow to surface

Examples: mullein, nettles

28
Q

Tonic

A

Toning, firming, drying (astringent qualities)

Spring clean-up (“clearing the damp that winter has left behind”)

Examples: stinging nettles, ladies mantle, spring greens

29
Q

Vulnery

A

Closes and heals wounds (usu. anti-bacterial as well)

Examples: plantain, cayenne

30
Q

Antiviral

A

Supports infectious system against viral infection

Examples: elderberry, calendula, garlic

31
Q

Antibacterial

A

Supports infectious system against bacterial infection

Examples: bee balm, boneset, burdock root, calendula, cayenne, thuja oil, yarrow

32
Q

Antifungal

A

Supports infectious system against fungal infections such as athlete’s foot, ringworm, candidiasis, serious systemic infections such as cryptococcal meningitis, and others

Examples: garlic, cloves, calendula, tea tree

Medicinal Herbalism (2 decks)

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