The information on this page is for educational and informational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using any herb, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.
Alterative: gradually restores proper function in the body and increases health and vitality
Analgesic: assists in reducing pain taken internally or applied externally; also referred to as Anodyne
Anodyne: assists in reducing pain taken internally or applied externally; also referred to as Analgesic
Antacid: assists in neutralizing acid in the stomach and small intestine
Anthelmintic: expels worms from the digestive system
Antiabortives: helps to inhibit abortive tendencies
Antiasthmatics: helps relieves symptoms of asthma
Antibilious: assists in removing excess bile from the body
Antibiotics: inhibits the growth of or destroys bacteria, viruses, or amoebas
Anticatarrhals: eliminates or counteracts the formation of mucus
Anti-emetic: helps reduce nausea and may help to relieve or prevent vomiting
Anti-inflammatory: assists the body in reducing inflammation
Anti-lithic: helps to prevent the formation of stones in the urinary system, can also assist in removing them
Anti-microbial: assists the body in destroying pathogenic micro-organisms
Antipyretics: helps reduce or prevent fevers, also referred to as Febrifuge
Antiseptic: applied externally to prevent the growth of bacteria
Antispasmodic: helps prevent or relax muscle spasms
Aperient: mild laxative
Aphrodisiac: help to improve sexual potency and power
Aromatic: herbs that have a strong odor that can assist in stimulating the digestive system
Astringent: substance that has a constricting or binding effect
Bitter: herbs that have a bitter taste and stimulates the digestive system
Carminative: helps relieve gas and cramping in the bowel
Cholagogues: promotes flow of bile into the small intestine, also stimulates bowels
Demulcent: soothing, mucilaginous substance taken internally to protect inflamed tissue
Diaphoretic: induces sweating
Diuretic: increases the flow of urine
Emetic: induces vomiting
Emmenagogue: promotes menstruation
Emollient: softens, soothes and protects the skin
Expectorant: expels mucus from the lungs and throat
Febrifuge: assists the body in reducing fevers, also referred to as Antipyretic
Galactogogues: increases milk production and secretion
Hemostatic: assists in stopping hemorrhaging
Hepatic: assists the liver and helps to increase the flow of bile
Hypnotic: helps to induce sleep (not a hypnotic trance)
Laxative: promotes bowel movements
Lithotriptics: helps dissolve and eliminate urinary and gall stones
Mucilage: herbs that contain a gelatinous substance
Nervine: helps to calm nervous tension and nourishes the nervous system
Oxytocics: helps to stimulate uterine contractions to induce labor
Parasiticides: destroys digestive and skin parasites
Pectoral: respiratory tonic that assists in strengthening and healing the respiratory system
Rubefacient: promotes blood flow to the surface of the skin
Sedative: helps to quiet the nervous system
Sialagogue: stimulates the flow of saliva
Soporific: helps to induce sleep
Stimulant: increases circulation and energy of the body
Stomachic: helps to nourish and promote normal functioning of the stomach
Stryptic: assists in stopping bleeding externally
Tonic: promotes the normal function of the systems of the body and nourish the body
Vulnerary: encourages cell growth and repair to heal wounds