Terminology Herbal Actions and Properties Flashcards
abortifacient
induces abortion, miscarriage, or premature removal of a fetus
adaptogen
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;
adjuvant
aids the action of a medicinal agent
alterative
strengthens and nourishes the body, often through the removal of metabolic wastes
amenorrhea
suppresses menstration
amphoteric
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
analeptic
restorative or stimulating effect on central nervous system
analgesic
relieves pain
anaphrodisiac
reduces capacity for sexual arousal
anesthetic
induces loss of sensation or consciousness due to the depression of nerve function
antianemic
prevents or helps with anemia
antibacterial
destroys or stops the growth of bacteria
antibilious
eases stomach stress
anticatarrh
reduces inflamed mucous membranes of head and throat
antidepressant
acts to prevent, cure, or alleviate mental depression
antidiabetic
prevents or relieves diabetes
antidiarrhetic
prevents or treats diarrhea
antiemetic
stops vomiting
antifungal
destroys or inhibits the growth of fungus
antihemorrhagic
controls hemorrhaging or bleeding
anti-infectious
counteracts infection
anti-inflammatory
controls inflammation, a reaction to injury or infection
antimalarial
prevents or relieves malaria
antimicrobial
destroys microbes
antioxidant
prevents or inhibits oxidation
antipruritic
prevents or relieves itching
antipyretic
reduces fever (febrifuge)
antirheumatic
eases pain of rheumatism, inflammation of joints and muscles
antiseptic
produces asepsis, removes pus, blood, etc.
antispasmodic
calms nervous and muscular spasms or convulsions
antitussive
controls or prevents cough
antiviral
opposes the action of a virus
anxiolytic
reduces anxiety
aperient
relieves constipation; mild laxative
aperitive
stimulates the appetite for food
aphrodisiac
increases the capacity for sexual arousal
aromatic
a herb containing volatile oils, fragrant odor and slightly stimulating properties
asepsis
sterile; free of germs, infection, and any form of life
astringent
constricts and binds by coagulation of proteins
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
bitter
stimulates appetite or digestive function
bronchial
relaxes spasms or constriction of the bronchi or upper part of the lungs, thereby improving respiration
carcinostatic
halts or inhibits the development or continued growth of cancer, carcinomas, or malignant tumors
cardiotonic
increases strength and tone (normal tension or response to stimuli) of the heart
carminative
causes the release of stomach or intestinal gas
catarrhal
pertains to the inflammation of mucous membranes of the head and throat
cathartic
produces bowel movements
caustic
contains acidic compounds that have an escharotic or corrosive action that is capable of burning or eating away living tissues
cholagogue
increases flow of bile from gallbladder
cicatrizant
aids formation of scar tissue and wound healing
counterirritant
produces an inflammatory response for affecting an adjacent area
demulcent
soothes and protects inflamed and irritated mucous membranes both topically and internally
deobstruent
removes obstructions to clear or open natural ducts of the fluids and secretions of the body
dermatitis
inflammation of the skin evidenced my itchiness, redness, and various lesions
detergent
cleanses wounds and sores of infected or damaged tissue
diaphoretic
increases perspiration (synonym: sudorific)
digestive
promotes or aids the digestion process
disinfectant
destroys pathogenic microbes, germs, and noxious properties of fermentation
diuretic
increases urine flow
ecbolic
tends to increase contractions of uterus, facilitating childbirth
emetic
produces vomiting and evacuation of stomach contents
emmenagogue
regulates and induces normal menstruation; herbs will tone the entire reproductive system and normalize a scanty or excessive menstrual flow
emollient
softens and soothes the skin
errhine
stimulates sneezing, increasing flow of mucus in nasal passages
escharotic
a caustic substance that destroys tissue and causes sloughing
estrogenic
causes the production of estrogen
euphoriant
produces a sense of bodily comfort; temporary effect and often addictive
expectorant
facilitates removal of mucus and other materials
febrifuge
reduces or relieves fever
galactagogue
promotes the flow of milk
hemagogue
promotes the flow of blood
hemostatic
controls or stops the flow of blood
hepatic
having to do with the liver
herpetic
treats skin eruptions relating to the herpes virus
hypertensive
raises blood pressure
hypnotic
strong-acting nervous system relaxant (nervines) that supports healthy sleep
hypoglycemant
lowers blood sugar
hypotensive
lowers blood pressure
lactifuge
reduces the flow of milk
laxative
loosens bowel contents
lithotriptic
a substance that causes kidney or bladder stones to dissolve
masticatory
increases flow of saliva upon chewing
mucilaginous
polysaccharide-rich compounds that coat and soothe inflamed mucous membranes
narcotic
induces drowsiness, sleep, or stupor, and lessons pain
nephritic
has a beneficial influence on the kidneys
nervine
a nerve tonic
nootropic
enhances memory, improves cognitive function and mood, reduces oxidative and eschemic damage to the brain
nutritive
a herb containing nutrients required to nourish and build the body
orexigenic
stimulates or increases the appetite
parturfaciant
induces contractions of labor at childbirth
purgative
causes the evacuation of intestinal contents; laxative
refrigerant
relieves thirst with its cooling properties
relaxant
tends to relax and relieve tension, especially muscular tension
renal
strengthens, cleanses or treats imbalance or disease states affecting the kidneys
resorbent
aids reabsorption of blood from bruises
rubefacient
reddens skin, dilates the blood vessels, and increases blood supply locally
sedative
exerts a soothing, tranquilizing effect on the body
sialagogue
increases the production and flow of saliva
soporific
induces sleep
stimulant
increases body or organ function temporarily
stomachic
aids the stomach and digestive action
sudorific
increase perspiration
tonic
stimulates energy and increases strength and tone
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.
vermifuge
expels worms from the intestines
vulnerary
aids in healing wounds (top)
