Herbal Actions

Question 1

Abortifacient

Answer 1

Violent emmenagogue; poison that creates reaction

Example: tansy

Question 2

Adaptogen

Answer 2

Helps the body deal with stress

Question 3

Alterative

Answer 3

Restores proper function in body

Nutrition, assimilation, filtering, detox, cleanse, elimination

Examples: nettles, burdock, creeping charlie, dandelion

Question 4

Analgesic

Answer 4

Pain reliever, moves flow to reduce pain

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

Question 5

Anticatarrhal

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Anti-inflammatory

Answer 6

Reduces inflammation

Examples: meadowsweet, willow, cayenne

Question 7

Anti-microbial

Answer 7

Supports infectious system against microorganisms

Can include: antibacterials, antifungals, antivirals, antiparasitics

Examples: cinnamon, cloves, mustard, sage

Question 8

Anti-nausea

Answer 8

Reduces nausea

Examples: peppermint

Question 9

Anti-rheumatic

Answer 9

Deals with musculoskeletal aches and pains

Examples: solomon’s seal, willow, prickly ash

Question 10

Antispasmodic

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Astringent

Answer 11

Dries, tightens and tones tissue

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

Examples: raspberry leaf, witch hazel

Question 12

Bitter

Answer 12

Stimulates/promotes appetite or digestion

Examples: dandelion

Question 13

Carminative

Answer 13

Helps intestines expel gas and griping, “digestives”

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

Question 14

Cholagogue

Answer 14

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

Examples: yellow dock, celandine

Question 15

Diaphoretic

Answer 15

Opens pores, promotes sweating and cleansing of skin

Examples: elder flower/berry, peppermint

Question 16

Demulcent

Answer 16

Acts on inflamed or irritated internal membranes

Examples: marshmallow, slippery elm, oatmeal

Question 17

Diuretic

Answer 17

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

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

Question 18

Emmenagogue

Answer 18

Stimulates menstruation; any plant that affects women’s health

Examples: black cohosh, motherwort, yarrow

Question 19

Emollient

Answer 19

Acts on inflamed or irritated external membranes

Examples: aloe, plantain, yellow dock

Question 20

Expectorant

Answer 20

Promotes drainage of mucus from the lungs

Examples: plantain, lobelia

Question 21

Febrifuge

Answer 21

Reduces fever

Examples: feverfew, elder flower

Question 22

Galactagogue

Answer 22

Helps increase milk flow and lactation

Also tend to be nervine and nutritive

Examples: milkweed, prickly lettuce, motherwort

Question 23

Hepatic

Answer 23

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

Examples: dandelion root, milk thistle, licorice

Question 24

Laxative

Answer 24

Gentle bowel aid

Examples: burdock, elder

Question 25

Nervine/Sedative

Answer 25

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

Question 26

Purgative

Answer 26

Irritates bowel lining; tends to cleanse or purge, especially causing evacuation of the bowels Examples: cena, buckthorn, coffee

Question 27

Rubefacient

Answer 27

Stimulates blood flow topically; increases flow to surface Examples: mullein, nettles

Question 28

Tonic

Answer 28

Toning, firming, drying (astringent qualities) Spring clean-up (“clearing the damp that winter has left behind”) Examples: stinging nettles, ladies mantle, spring greens

Question 29

Vulnery

Answer 29

Closes and heals wounds (usu. anti-bacterial as well) Examples: plantain, cayenne

Question 30

Antiviral

Answer 30

Supports infectious system against viral infection Examples: elderberry, calendula, garlic

Question 31

Antibacterial

Answer 31

Supports infectious system against bacterial infection Examples: bee balm, boneset, burdock root, calendula, cayenne, thuja oil, yarrow

Question 32

Antifungal

Answer 32

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