Herbal Actions Flashcards
Abortifacient
Induces abortion or miscarriage
Adaptogen
An herb that increases resistance and resilience to stress, enabling the body to avoid reaching collapse because it can adapt around the problem
Alkalinizer
An agent that counteracts or neutralizes acidity
Alterative
Herbs that gradually restore proper functioning of the body, increasing health and vitality. Some alteratives support natural waste elimination via the kidneys, liver, lungs or skin. Others stimulate digestive function or are antimicrobial
Analgesic
A substance that reduces the sensation of pain
Anaphrodisiac
Reduces sexual desire
Anodyne
Substance that soothes or relieves pain
Antianemic
Combats anemia
Antiarthritic
Combats arthritis
Antibacterial
A substance that stops or checks the growth of bacteria
Antibiotic
A drug that kills microorganisms
Anticatarrhal
Helps the body remove excess mucous, whether in the sinus area or in other parts of the body
Anticoagulant
Agent that prevents blood from clotting
Anticonvulsant
Helps arrest or prevent convulsions
Antidepressant
Helps alleviate depression
Antidiarrheal
Efficacious against diarrhea
Antihistamine
A chemical that blocks action of histamine
Anti-inflammatory
Soothes inflammations or reduces the inflammation of the tissue directly
Antilithic
Prevents the formation of a calculus or stone
Antimicrobial
Help the body destroy or resist pathogenic microorganisms. They help the body strengthen its own resistance to infective organism and throw off the illness
Antineoplastic
Acting to prevent, inhibit or halt the development of a neoplasm (a tumor)
Antineuralgic
Relieves or reduces nerve pain
Antioxidant
A compound that prevents free radical or oxidative damage
Antirheumatic
Helps prevent and relieve rheumatism
Antiseptic
Destroys and prevents the development of microbes
Antispasmodic
Substance that relieves smooth muscle spasms
Antithrombotic
Reduces the formation of blood clots (thrombi)
Antitumor
A substance that prevents or is effective against tumors
Antitussive
Substance that reduces coughing, especially one that affects activity in the brain’s cough center and depresses respiration
Antiviral
Substance that inhibits the growth of a virus
Aperient
A mild laxative
Aphrodisiac
Increases or stimulates sexual desire
Aromatic
These herbs have a strong and often pleasant odor. This oil-based aroma can stimulate relax the body via the digestive and/or nervous systems, and are the basis for much of aromatherapy
Astringent
Herbs that draw together or constrict body tissues and are effective in stopping the flow of blood or other secretions
Bacteriostat
Substance that retards growth of bacteria
Bitter
Not an herbal action, but a taste that indicates that this herb stimulates the production of secretions in the digestive system
Cathartic
An agent that empties the bowel; evokes intestinal evacuation
Carminative
Plants rich in aromatic volatile oils that stimulate the digestive system to work properly and with ease, soothing the gut wall, reducing any inflammation, easing griping pains, and helping the removal of gas from the digestive tract
Cholagogue
A compound that stimulates the contraction of the gallbladder
Decongestant
Substance used to reduce nasal mucous production and swelling
Demulcent
An herb rich in mucilage that soothes and protects irritated or inflamed tissue
Deodorant
Corrects, masks, or removes unpleasant odors
Diaphoretic
Promotes perspiration, enabling the skin to eliminate waste from the body, thus helping the body ensure a clean and harmonious inner environment
Digestive
Substance that promotes or aids the digestion of food
Disinfectant
Cleansing agent that destroys bacteria and other microorganisms, used on surfaces and surgical tools
Diuretic
Increases the production and elimination of urine
Emetic
A substance that causes vomiting
Emmenagogue
Stimulates menstrual flow and activity
Emollient
Soothes and softens external skin tissue
Exfoliant
A product or ingredient whose purpose is to remove unwanted tissue or waste products from the skin and other body surfaces
Expectorant
Soothes bronchial spasm and loosens mucous secretions, helping dry, irritating coughs
Febrifuge
Substance that relieves or reduces fever
Galactagogue
Increases secretion of milk
Hemostatic
A substance that checks bleeding
Hypertensive
A substance that causes a rise in blood pressure
Hypotensive
Plant remedy that lowers abnormally elevated blood pressure
Immunomodulator
Substance hoped to strengthen the immune system and help the body fight off opportunistic infections or other diseases. Not necessarily used to stimulate the immune system
Immunostimulant
A plant that stimulates some aspect of immune system functioning
Laxative
Stimulating bowel movements
Lubricant
A greasy substance applied to reduce friction on a body surface
Lymphatic
Pertaining to the lymph system
Mucilage
A substance containing gelatinous constituents that are demulcent
Nervine
Relaxants that ease anxiety and tension by soothing both the body and mind
Nootropic
Used to enhance memory or other cognitive functions
Nutritive
provides nourishment; nutritious
Palliative
Medicine that relieves symptoms but does not cure disease
Parasiticide
Prevents and destroys parasites such as fleas and lice
Parturient
Aiding childbirth
Pectoral
Herbs that strengthen the Respiratory Tract and Pulmonary System
Purgative
Laxative or cathartic medication
Refrigerant
Cooling; reduces fever
Relaxant
A substance used to promote relaxation or reduce tension
Restorative
An agent that helps strengthen and revive the body systems
Rubefacient
Generating a localized increase in blood flow when applied to the skin, helping healing, cleansing, and nourishment. Often used to ease the pain and swelling of arthritic joints
Sedative
An agent that reduces functional activity; calming
Sialagogue
An agent that stimulates the secretion of saliva
Soporific
A substance that induces sleep
Stimulant
An agent that quickens the physiological functions of the body
Stomachic
Digestive aid and tonic; improving the appetite
Styptic
An astringent agent that stops or reduces external bleeding
Sudorific
An agent that causes sweating
Systemic
Affecting the entire body, not just one part
Tonic
Nurturing and enlivening
Trophorestorative
Nourishes and restores the function of a tired, compromised, diseased tissue, organ, or system. It rectifies the deficiency and/or weakness pertaining to that organ
Vasoconstrictor
An agent that causes the narrowing of blood vessels
Vermifuge
A chemical agent that kills parasitic worms in the intestine
Vulnerary
A remedy that promotes wound healing, especially for skin lesions and stomach ulcers
