Herbal Glossary

Below is the list of some common terms used to describe the various categories of herbs and their application:

Alteratives: Herbs that gradually restore the healthy bodily functions.

Anodynes: Herbs used to ease pain.

Anthelmintics: Herbs used to expel or destroy intestinal worms.

Antiscorbutics: Herbs used to treat scurvy.

Antiseptics: Herbs that destroy or inhibit bacteria.

Antispasmodics: Herbs that are used to prevent or allay spasms or cramps.

Aperients: Mild laxatives.

Aphrodisiacs: Substances used to increase sexual power or excitement.

Aromatics: Herbs which emit a fragrant smell and produce a pungent taste. Used chiefly to make other medicines more palatable.

Astringents: Herbs causing contraction of tissues.

Cardiacs: Herbs which affect the heart.

Carminative: Herbs which expel gas from the stomach, intestines, or bowels.

Cathartics: Those herbs which aid evacuation of the bowels.

Cholagogues: Herbs which promote the flow of bile.

Demulcents: Herbs used to relieve internal inflammations, provide a protective coating and allay irritation of the membranes.

Deobstruents: Remedies which overcome obstruction; aperients.

Diaphoretics: Herbs that induce perspiration.

Diuretics: Herbs that increase the flow of urine.

Emetics: Remedies that induce vomiting.

Emmenagogues: Remedies that stimulate menstrual flow.

Emollients: Substances used to soften and protect tissues.

Expectorants: Herbs that loosen or induce expulsion of phlegm from the mucous membranes of the nasal and bronchial passages.

Febrifuges: Herbs that reduce fever.

Galactagogues: Herbs that promote secretion of milk from the nursing breast.

Laxatives: Mild purgatives.

Mucilaginous: A substance with a soothing quality for inflamed parts.

Nervines: Agents which act on the nervous system to temporarily relax nervous tension or excitement.

Nutrients Or Nutritives: Substances that provide nourishment.

Pectorals: Agents which relieve infections of the chest and lung.

Purgatives: Herbs that cause copious bowel evacuation. Purgatives, more drastic than laxatives or aperients, are generally combined with other herbs to modify their action. They are usually recommended for adults only.

Rubefacients: Substances used externally to cause redness by increasing blood supply to the skin surface when applied by rubbing.

Stimulants: Remedies that increase or quicken various motor actions of the system.

Stomachics: Substances which give strength and tone to the abdominal area. Also used to stimulate the appetite and aid digestion.

Styptics: Substances which contract the tissues or blood vessels; astringents, tending to check bleeding.

Sudorifics: Herbs which produce sweating.

Tonics: Remedies which increase systemic tone through nutritional stimulation.

Vermifuges: Herbs that expel or destroy worms.

HERBS & THEIR MEDICINAL USAGE (P-Z)

Parsley
Peppermint
Plantain
Pleurisy Root
Poke Root
Raspberry
Red Clover
Sarsaparilla
Shepherd's Purse
Skunk Cabbage
Slippery Elm
St. John's Wort
Valerian
Vervain
Violet
White Oak
Wild Yam
Witch Hazel
Yarrow
Yellow Dock

HERBAL CURE OF DISEASES

Acne
Anxiety
Bedwetting
Heart Disease
Herb Teas

HERBAL MEDICINE

Rules of Herbology
Herbal Glossary

HERBS & THEIR MEDICINAL USAGE (A-O)

Aloe
Arnica
Astragalus
Barberry
Black Cohosh
Bladderwrack
Blessed Thistle
Burdock
Butchers Broom
Catnip
Cat's Claw Herb
Cayenne
Chamomile
Chaparral
Chickweed
Cleavers
Couch Grass
Cramp Bark
Dandelion
Echinacea
Elecampane
Eucalyptus
Evening Primrose
Eyebright
Fenugreek
Feverfew
Garlic
Ginkgo
Goldenrod
Goldenseal
Gotu Kola
Gravel Root
Hawthorn
Hops
Horehound
Horsetail
Hydrangea
Hyssop
Irish Moss
Juniper
Lavender
Licorice
Lobelia
Marshmallow
Milk Thistle
Motherwort
Mullein
Myrrh
Oregon Grape