40 Herbal Actions to Know

Source: John Green, The Herbal Medicine Maker’s Handbook

“40 Herbal Actions to Know”

Adaptogen: An action concept unique to herbal therapeutics. Increases body’s resistance and endurance to a wide variety of adverse effect from physical, chemical and biological stressors, assisting in body’s ability to cope and adapt.

Alterative: Gradually restores health and vitality to the body by helping eliminate waste and restore proper function.

Anodyne/ Analgesic: Relieves pain when administered orally or externally.

Antacid: Neutralizes excess acid in the stomach and intestinal tract.

Anticatarral: Counteracts the build-up of excess mucus and inflammation in sinus or other upper respiratory parts.

Antidepressant: Helps relieve or prevent depressed states of mind.

Anti-emetic: Relieves nausea and vomiting

Anti-inflammatory: Combats extensive or too-painful occurence of inflammatory. A degree of inflammation is a necessary process in healing.

Anti-microbial ( anti-bacterial, anti-viral): Helps the body’s immune system destroy or resist the proliferation of pathogenic micro-organisms.

Anti-oxidant: Protects the body against free radical damage ( free radicals are highly reactive compounds that bind to and destroy other molecules).

Antiseptic: Prevents or eliminates sepsis ( infectious destruction of tissue )

Antispasmodic: Prevents or eases spasms and cramps in body.

Aperient: A gentle stimulant to digestion, having mild laxative action.

Aphrodisiac: Increases sexual excitement and desire.

Bitter: Stimulates the normal secretion of digestive juices, benefiting digestion. This stimulation action helps counteract physical and, to a certain extent, emotional depression.

Carminative: Rich in aromatic volatile oils, having a sweet, spicy or fragrant aroma which can lend a pleasant flavor to other herbs, excite peristalsis, promote the expulsion of gas, and soothe the stomach, supporting healthy digestion.

Cholagogue: Promotes the discharge and flow of bile from gall bladder. *gogue means flow

Counter-irritant (revulsive): Induces local irritation of skin, drawing blood and other materials to the surface from deeper tissues, relieving congestion and inflammation.

Demulcent: Mucilaginous herbs which relax, soothe and protect tissue.

Derivative: Draws blood and other fluids from one part of the body to relieve congestion in another.

Diaphoretic: Induces increases perspiration, dilates capillaries, increasing elimination through the skin.

Diuretic: Increases the flow of urine.

Emmenagogue: Increases menstrual flow.

Emollient: Applied to the skin to soften, soothe and protect.

Expectorant: Supports the respiratory system by assisting it to remove excess mucus.

Febrifuge: Assists the body to reduce fever.