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Herb 101 > Terminology Herbal Actions and Properties > Flashcards

Terminology Herbal Actions and Properties Flashcards

1
Q

abortifacient

A

induces abortion, miscarriage, or premature removal of a fetus

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2
Q

adaptogen

A

herbal pharmaceuticals. They work to counteract the effects of stress in the body. works through the endocrine system to modulate the physical, mental, and emotional effects of stress and increase resistance to physiological imbalances and disease by strengthening the immune system;

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3
Q

adjuvant

A

aids the action of a medicinal agent

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4
Q

alterative

A

strengthens and nourishes the body, often through the removal of metabolic wastes

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5
Q

amenorrhea

A

suppresses menstration

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6
Q

amphoteric

A

A normalizer of the function of an organ or body system. An herb which harmonizes and normalizes the function of an organ or body system, balancing to two seemingly contradictory conditions such as diarrhea and constipation, or high and low blood pressure for example

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7
Q

analeptic

A

restorative or stimulating effect on central nervous system

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8
Q

analgesic

A

relieves pain

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9
Q

anaphrodisiac

A

reduces capacity for sexual arousal

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10
Q

anesthetic

A

induces loss of sensation or consciousness due to the depression of nerve function

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11
Q

antianemic

A

prevents or helps with anemia

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12
Q

antibacterial

A

destroys or stops the growth of bacteria

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13
Q

antibilious

A

eases stomach stress

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14
Q

anticatarrh

A

reduces inflamed mucous membranes of head and throat

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15
Q

antidepressant

A

acts to prevent, cure, or alleviate mental depression

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16
Q

antidiabetic

A

prevents or relieves diabetes

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17
Q

antidiarrhetic

A

prevents or treats diarrhea

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18
Q

antiemetic

A

stops vomiting

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19
Q

antifungal

A

destroys or inhibits the growth of fungus

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20
Q

antihemorrhagic

A

controls hemorrhaging or bleeding

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21
Q

anti-infectious

A

counteracts infection

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22
Q

anti-inflammatory

A

controls inflammation, a reaction to injury or infection

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23
Q

antimalarial

A

prevents or relieves malaria

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24
Q

antimicrobial

A

destroys microbes

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25
antioxidant
prevents or inhibits oxidation
26
antipruritic
prevents or relieves itching
27
antipyretic
reduces fever (febrifuge)
28
antirheumatic
eases pain of rheumatism, inflammation of joints and muscles
29
antiseptic
produces asepsis, removes pus, blood, etc.
30
antispasmodic
calms nervous and muscular spasms or convulsions
31
antitussive
controls or prevents cough
32
antiviral
opposes the action of a virus
33
anxiolytic
reduces anxiety
34
aperient
relieves constipation; mild laxative
35
aperitive
stimulates the appetite for food
36
aphrodisiac
increases the capacity for sexual arousal
37
aromatic
a herb containing volatile oils, fragrant odor and slightly stimulating properties
38
asepsis
sterile; free of germs, infection, and any form of life
39
astringent
constricts and binds by coagulation of proteins
40
aquaretic
increases blood flow to the kidneys without increasing sodium and chloride resorption, thereby retaining electrolytes while increasing urine output; increases intravascular fluid volume which increases vascular resistance and blood pressure
41
bitter
stimulates appetite or digestive function
42
bronchial
relaxes spasms or constriction of the bronchi or upper part of the lungs, thereby improving respiration
43
carcinostatic
halts or inhibits the development or continued growth of cancer, carcinomas, or malignant tumors
44
cardiotonic
increases strength and tone (normal tension or response to stimuli) of the heart
45
carminative
causes the release of stomach or intestinal gas
46
catarrhal
pertains to the inflammation of mucous membranes of the head and throat
47
cathartic
produces bowel movements
48
caustic
contains acidic compounds that have an escharotic or corrosive action that is capable of burning or eating away living tissues
49
cholagogue
increases flow of bile from gallbladder
50
cicatrizant
aids formation of scar tissue and wound healing
51
counterirritant
produces an inflammatory response for affecting an adjacent area
52
demulcent
soothes and protects inflamed and irritated mucous membranes both topically and internally
53
deobstruent
removes obstructions to clear or open natural ducts of the fluids and secretions of the body
54
dermatitis
inflammation of the skin evidenced my itchiness, redness, and various lesions
55
detergent
cleanses wounds and sores of infected or damaged tissue
56
diaphoretic
increases perspiration (synonym: sudorific)
57
digestive
promotes or aids the digestion process
58
disinfectant
destroys pathogenic microbes, germs, and noxious properties of fermentation
59
diuretic
increases urine flow
60
ecbolic
tends to increase contractions of uterus, facilitating childbirth
61
emetic
produces vomiting and evacuation of stomach contents
62
emmenagogue
regulates and induces normal menstruation; herbs will tone the entire reproductive system and normalize a scanty or excessive menstrual flow
63
emollient
softens and soothes the skin
64
errhine
stimulates sneezing, increasing flow of mucus in nasal passages
65
escharotic
a caustic substance that destroys tissue and causes sloughing
66
estrogenic
causes the production of estrogen
67
euphoriant
produces a sense of bodily comfort; temporary effect and often addictive
68
expectorant
facilitates removal of mucus and other materials
69
febrifuge
reduces or relieves fever
70
galactagogue
promotes the flow of milk
71
hemagogue
promotes the flow of blood
72
hemostatic
controls or stops the flow of blood
73
hepatic
having to do with the liver
74
herpetic
treats skin eruptions relating to the herpes virus
75
hypertensive
raises blood pressure
76
hypnotic
strong-acting nervous system relaxant (nervines) that supports healthy sleep
77
hypoglycemant
lowers blood sugar
78
hypotensive
lowers blood pressure
79
lactifuge
reduces the flow of milk
80
laxative
loosens bowel contents
81
lithotriptic
a substance that causes kidney or bladder stones to dissolve
82
masticatory
increases flow of saliva upon chewing
83
mucilaginous
polysaccharide-rich compounds that coat and soothe inflamed mucous membranes
84
narcotic
induces drowsiness, sleep, or stupor, and lessons pain
85
nephritic
has a beneficial influence on the kidneys
86
nervine
a nerve tonic
87
nootropic
enhances memory, improves cognitive function and mood, reduces oxidative and eschemic damage to the brain
88
nutritive
a herb containing nutrients required to nourish and build the body
89
orexigenic
stimulates or increases the appetite
90
parturfaciant
induces contractions of labor at childbirth
91
purgative
causes the evacuation of intestinal contents; laxative
92
refrigerant
relieves thirst with its cooling properties
93
relaxant
tends to relax and relieve tension, especially muscular tension
94
renal
strengthens, cleanses or treats imbalance or disease states affecting the kidneys
95
resorbent
aids reabsorption of blood from bruises
96
rubefacient
reddens skin, dilates the blood vessels, and increases blood supply locally
97
sedative
exerts a soothing, tranquilizing effect on the body
98
sialagogue
increases the production and flow of saliva
99
soporific
induces sleep
100
stimulant
increases body or organ function temporarily
101
stomachic
aids the stomach and digestive action
102
sudorific
increase perspiration
103
tonic
stimulates energy and increases strength and tone
104
trophorestorative
nourishes and restores balance to the body. Trophorestorative herbs typically have a strong affinity for an organ or organ system and correct deficiency and weakness not only through temporary stimulation but by deeply nourishing that organ or organ system.
105
vermifuge
expels worms from the intestines
106
vulnerary
aids in healing wounds (top)

Herb 101 (3 decks)

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