Plant Actions & Properties Flashcards
Adaptogens
- An herb that improves the body’s ability to adapt around a problem.
- Helps the body to avoid reaching a point of collapse/over-stress.
- The core of this action lays in helping the body deal with stress & the ability to cope w/ external pressures by supporting the adrenal gland & possibly pituitary gland function.
- It has a normalizing effect, depending on the body’s needs.
Alterative
Herbs that will gradually restore the proper function of the body & increase health & vitality. They were at one time known as “blood cleansers”.
Amphoteric
Herbs that are both stimulants & relaxants.
Amphoteric herbs work in accordance with what the body needs at that time.
(Ampho=both)
Analgesic, Anodyne
Analgesics are herbs that reduce pain & are either applied externally or taken internally.
Anthelmintic
Will destroy or expel worms from the digestive system.
(Greek) Helminth=worm
Anti-bilious
Herbs that help the body to remove excess bile.
Anti-catarrhal
Herbs that help the body remove excess catarrhal build-ups; whether these occur in the sinus area or in other parts of the body.
Anti-emetic
Anti-emetics can reduce a feeling of nausea & can help to relieve or prevent vomiting.
(Latin) Emeticus=vomiting
Anti-Inflammatory
Herbs that help the body combat inflammation.
Anti-lithic
Prevent the formation of stones or gravel in the urinary system and can help the body in their removal process.
Lithic: of the nature of or relating to stone
Anti-microbial
Help the body to destroy or resist pathogenic micro-organisms.
Anti-neoplastic, Anti-Cancer
Herbs that work to prevent the spread of cancerous cells.
Anti-rheumatic
Herbs that reduce and prevent pain and inflammation in the joints associated w/ rheumatism.
Anti-spasmodic
Can prevent or ease spasms/cramps.
Anti-tumor
Prevent or inhibit the growth of tumors
Anti-tussive
Herbs that reduce coughing, by reducing activity in the cough center of the brain.
Specifically for reducing dry coughs!
(Latin) Tuss: cough
Aperients
Herbs that are very mild laxatives
Aromatic
Herbs that have a strong, often pleasant odor & can stimulate the digestive system.
They are often used to add aroma & taste to other medicines.
Astringent
Contract tissue by precipitating proteins & can thus reduce secretions & discharges. They contain tannins.
Bitter
Herbs that taste bitter & act as stimulating tonics for the digestive system through a reflex via the tastebuds.
Cardiac Tonics
Cardiac tonics affect the heart.
Carminative
The carminatives are rich in volatile oils & their action stimulates the peristalsis of the digestive system & relaxes the stomach, thereby supporting digestion & helping against gas in the digestive tract.
Cholagogue
Cholagogues stimulate the release & secretion of bile from the gallbladder.
They can also have a laxative effect on the digestive system, since bile is our internally produced, all-natural laxative.
Demulcent
Demulcents are usually rich in mucilage and can soothe & protect irritated/inflamed internal tissue.
Diaphoretic
Diaphoretics aid the skin in the elimination of toxins & promote perspiration.
(Latin) Diaphoreticus: promoting perspiration
Diuretic
Diuretics increase the secretion & the elimination of urine.
Emetic
Emetics causes vomiting, usually when taken in high dosages.
Emmenagogue
Emmenagogues both stimulate & normalize menstrual flow.
Emollient
Emollients are applied to the skin to soften, soothe, and protect it. They act externally in a manner similar to the way demulcents act internally.
Expectorant
Expectorants support the body in the removal of excess amounts of mucus from the respiratory system.
Febrifuge, Anti-pyretic
The febrifuges help the body to bring down fevers.
Galactagogue
The galactagogues can help the breast/chest feeding people to increase the flow of milk.
(Greek) Galaktos: Milk
Hemostatic
Hemostatic herbs stop blood flow.
Hepatic
The hepatics aid the liver. Their use tones & strengthens the liver & increases the flow of bile.
Hypnotic
Hypnotics will induce sleep (not a hypnotic trance)
Laxative
Laxatives promote the evacuation of the bowels
Nervine
The nervines have a beneficial effect on the nervous system and tone and strengthen it. Some act as stimulants, some act as relaxants.
Nutritive
Nutritive herbs deeply nourish the body.
Oxytocic
The oxytocics stimulate the contraction of the uterus & can thereby help in childbirth.
(Latin) Oxytocium: drug promoting a quick birth.
Pectoral
Pectorals have a general strengthening & healing effect on the respiratory system.
Rubefacient
When rubefacients are applied to the skin, they cause a gentle, local irritation to stimulate dilation of the capillaries, increasing circulation to the skin. Blood is drawn from deeper parts of the body into the skin, and often internal pains are relieved.
Sedative
Sedatives calm the nervous system & reduce stress & nervousness throughout the body. They can thus affect the tissue of the body that has been irritated by nervous problems.
Sialagogue
The sialagogues stimulate the secretion of saliva from the salivary glands.
Soporific
Soporific herbs induce sleep
Stimulant
Stimulants quicken & enliven the physiological functions of the body.
Stomatic
Aid the stomach
Styptic
Styptics reduce or stop bleeding by their astringency
Tonic
Tonic herbs strengthen & enliven either specific organs or the whole body.
Vulnerary
Vulneraries are applied externally & aid the body in the healing of wounds & cuts.
