Summary of Herbal Therapeutic Groups

Question 1

Adaptogenic

Answer 1

A natural substance considered to help the body adapt to stress and to exert a normalizing effect upon bodily processes. A well-known example is ginseng.

Question 2

Alterative

Answer 2

Herbs that gradually restore the proper function of the body and increase health and vitality.

Question 3

Analgesic

Answer 3

Medications that relieve pain

Question 4

Antacid

Answer 4

(chiefly of a medicine) preventing or correcting acidity, especially in the stomach.

Question 5

Antiabortives

Answer 5

Herbs which help to inhibit abortive tendencies. Usually taken in small amounts during early pregnancy.

Question 6

Anthelmintics

Answer 6

Used to treat infections caused by parasitic worms, such as roundworms, flatworms, and tapeworms.

Question 7

Antiarthritics

Answer 7

Used to relieve or prevent arthritic symptoms, such as joint pain or joint stiffness.

Question 8

Antiasthmatics

Answer 8

relieving or counteracting the symptoms of asthma

Question 9

Antibiotic

Answer 9

compounds that target bacteria and, thus, are intended to treat and prevent bacterial infections.

Question 10

Antibilousness

Answer 10

Helps remove the body of excess bile, and can thus be beneficial in cases of biliary and jaundice conditions

Question 11

Anticatarrhal

Answer 11

help the body to remove excess mucous from the body

Catarrhal means relating to or resembling catarrh, which is an inflammation of a mucous membrane that causes increased mucus production. Catarrh can affect the nose and air passages, or it can be applied to internal organs.
Symptoms of catarrh include:
A blocked or stuffy nose
A runny nose
A feeling of mucus running down the back of your throat
A persistent cough
A headache
Facial pain
A reduced sense of smell and taste
A crackling sensation in your ear and some temporary hearing loss

Question 12

Antidepressant

Answer 12

Helps relieve or prevent depressed states of mind

Question 13

Antiemetics

Answer 13

Prevent or relieve vomiting

Question 14

Antihydropics

Answer 14

Give relief from dropsy, aid in voiding or evacuating urine

Question 15

Anti-inflammatory

Answer 15

Combats inflammation

Question 16

Antilithics

Answer 16

help to prevent the formation of stones in the urinary system and can help remove those which are already formed.

Question 17

Antimicrobial

Answer 17

A substance that kills microorganisms such as bacteria or mold, or stops them from growing and causing disease.

Question 18

Antioxidants

Answer 18

A substance that protects cells from the damage caused by free radicals (unstable molecules made by the process of oxidation during normal metabolism), which have been linked to health conditions like diabetes and cancer.

Question 19

Antipyretic

Answer 19

a substance that reduces fever.

Question 20

Antiscorbutic

Answer 20

efficacious against scurvy

Question 21

Antiseptic

Answer 21

used to slow or inhibit the growth of infectious microorganisms. Prevents infection in an injury, especially by killing bacteria. Antiseptic is used to sterilize the skin before giving an injection.

Question 22

Antispasmodic

Answer 22

capable of preventing or relieving spasms or convulsions.

Question 23

Aperient

Answer 23

having a mild purgative or laxative effect

Question 24

Aphrodisiac

Answer 24

arouses or is held to arouse sexual desire;

Question 25

Aromatic

Answer 25

Usually fragrant or spicy tasting herbs which stimulate the gastrointestinal mucus membranes. Can also relax the body via the digestive and/or nervous systems, and are the basis for much of aromatherapy.

Question 26

Astringent

Answer 26

shrinks or constricts body tissues. Contracts and firms, and can reduce excess secretions and discharge.

Question 27

Bitter

Answer 27

Stimulates the normal secretion of digestive juices, aiding digestion.

Question 28

Carminative

Answer 28

expelling gas from the stomach or intestines so as to relieve flatulence or abdominal pain or distension. Examples: Fennel is a carminative herb that helps alleviate gas after a spicy meal. "

Question 29

Cathartic

Answer 29

a medicine that causes the bowels to be purged

Question 30

Cholagogues

Answer 30

The word "cholagogue" comes from the Greek word cholagōgós, which is a combination of kholê ("bile") and agôgos ("conductor"). an agent that promotes an increased flow of bile. These will also act as laxatives.

Question 31

Corrigent (Correctives)

Answer 31

an ingredient to enhance the flavor or tolerance of the preparation.

Question 32

Counterirritant

Answer 32

a substance which creates irritation or mild inflammation in one location with the goal of lessening discomfort and/or inflammation in another location. An externally applied substance that causes irritation or mild inflammation of the skin for the purpose of relieving pain in muscles or joints.

Question 33

Demulcent

Answer 33

The word demulcent comes from the Latin verb dēmulcēre, which means "to soothe". a herb rich in mucilage and can soothe and protect irritated or inflamed internal tissue. In poultices they retain warmth and moisture while absorbing the pus discharge from the skin.

Question 34

Deobstruent

Answer 34

those herbs which help in the removal of obstructions. Herbs that assists the stomach and intestines in normal digestion.

Question 35

Depressant

Answer 35

drugs that lower neurotransmission levels, decrease the electrical activity of brain cells, or reduce arousal or stimulation in various areas of the brain.

Question 36

Diaphoretics

Answer 36

The word comes from the Greek word diaphorētikós, which means "promoting perspiration". The word was first used around 1681. an action that produces or promotes sweating. This has the value of helping to skin eliminate waste from the body.

Question 37

Diuretic

Answer 37

herbs that stimulate the kidneys to produce more urine, which helps the body remove excess water

Question 38

Emetic

Answer 38

Induces vomiting

Question 39

emmenagogue

Answer 39

stimulates or increases menstrual flow.

Question 40

emollient

Answer 40

having the quality of softening or soothing the skin.

Question 41

Expectorant

Answer 41

promotes the discharge or expulsion of mucus from the respiratory tract

Question 42

Galactagogue

Answer 42

promotes lactation

Question 43

Hemostatic

Answer 43

a process to prevent and stop bleeding, meaning to keep blood within a damaged blood vessel (the opposite of hemostasis is hemorrhage). It is the first stage of wound healing.

Question 44

Hepatic

Answer 44

herbal remedies which in a wide range of ways aid the work of the liver.

Question 45

Hypnotic

Answer 45

Relaxes and promotes sleep

Question 46

Nervine

Answer 46

herbs that specifically help support the nervous system.

Question 47

Pectoral

Answer 47

those herbs that strengthen the Respiratory Tract and Pulmonary System

Question 48

prophylactic

Answer 48

guarding from or preventing the spread or occurrence of disease or infection.

Question 49

parasiticide

Answer 49

those herbs that kill parasites

Question 50

purgative

Answer 50

laxative

Question 51

Rubefacient

Answer 51

Increase blood flow to the surface of the skin and produce redness where they are applied. Believed to work by counterirritation, to relieve pain in muscles, joints, and tendons and in nonarticular musculoskeletal conditions.

Question 52

sedative

Answer 52

calm the nervous system and can reduce stress and nervousness throughout the body

Question 53

sialagogue

Answer 53

stimulates or increases the production and secretion of saliva.

Question 54

soporific

Answer 54

causes sleep

Question 55

sorbefacient

Answer 55

producing or promoting absorption

Question 56

stimulant

Answer 56

quickens and enlivens the physiological activity of the central nervous system.

Question 57

styptic

Answer 57

Contracts tissue or blood vessels. Helps to stop bleeding when applied locally

Question 58

sudorific

Answer 58

Induces the body to sweat profusely.

Question 59

Taenicides

Answer 59

Kills tapeworms

Question 60

Tonic

Answer 60

A medicinal substance taken to give a feeling of vigor or well-being.

Question 61

Vulneraries

Answer 61

Used for or useful in healing wounds.