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| A Glossary and a
quick-reference. To see a list of herbs that have a
specific action, click on the action. Once there, you can
click on the name of an herb to view information about
it! Because this list wound up longer than expected, I've had to split it into TWO parts for ease in viewing; A-M and N-V. The letters below will link to either page and back again. |
| :Abortifacient: | A substance that causes the expulsion of a fetus before term. **DO NOT use these herbs if you are pregnant and wish to keep the child. Abortions of any nature can be hazardous to your health. Do not use without the guidance of a physician or other qualified practitioner!** |
| Adaptogen: | Helps the body adapt to and deal with stress. *See also: Calmative, Sedative and Tranquilizer* |
| Adjuvant: | An herb added to a formula to enhance the actions of the other herbs or aid the body in assimilating them. |
| Alterative: | "Alter" or "purify" the blood. Usually act on liver, slpeen and intestines to remove toxins gradually from the body. *See: Blood purifier* |
| Amenorrhea: | Sparseness or lack of menstrual flow. |
| Analgesic: | Pain killer. Usually stronger than anodynes. *See also: Anodyne* |
| Anesthetic: | Causes loss of feeling (touch, pressure, temperature, pain, taste). |
| Anodyne: | 1. A gentler or weaker pain killer than analgesics. 2. Having a slightly anesthetic effect as well as relieving pain and can be used to cause loss of consciousness *See also: Analgesic* |
| Antacid: | Neutralizes acids in stomach, blood and bowels. |
| Anthelmintic: | Kills intestinal worms. *See: Vermicide and Vermifuge* |
| Anti-allergenic: | Eases or eliminates allergies. |
| Anti-anemic: | High in iron. |
| Anti-aphrodisiac: | Suppresses sexual desire. |
| Anti-bacterial: | Inhibits growth of or kills bacteria. *See also: Bactericide* |
| Antibiotic: | Inhibits growth of or kills living things; usually referring to bacteria and other microorganisms harmful to human or animal life. |
| Anticatarrhal: | Aids in eliminating excess mucus from the body. |
| Anticonvulsant: | Eases or eliminates convulsions, cramps and muscle spasms. *See also: Antispasmodic* |
| Antidepressant: | Alleviates depression. |
| Anti-emetic: | Suppresses or prevents vomiting. |
| Anti-fungal: | Inhibits growth of or kills fungus. *See also: Fungicide* |
| Antihistimine: | Blocks production or creation of histamine, a substance which causes allergic reactions. *See also: Anti-allergenic* |
| Anti-inflammatory: | Reduces swelling. |
| Antimicrobial: | Inhibits the growth of or kills microorganisms. |
| Anti-oxidant: | Prevents oxidation or the breakdown of tissues when they come into contact with oxygen (yes, as good as it is for you, it's bad, too.) A preservative (vitamin E, etc..) |
| Anti-putrefactive: | Prevents the decay and rot of injured tissues. |
| Antipyretic: | "Cooling", reduce fevers. *See: Refrigerant* |
| Antirheumatic: | Prevents or counteracts the effects (swelling and pain) of rheumatism/ |
| Antiscorbutic: | Fights scurvy. High in vitamin C. |
| Antiseptic: | Prevents decay. Kills germs and microbes. |
| Antispasmodic: | Relaxes muscles to ease cramping and muscle spasms. *See also: Anticonvulsant* |
| Anti-tumor: | Dissolves or prevents tumors and cancers. *See also: Discutient* |
| Antitussive: | Eases or prevents coughing. |
| Antiviral: | Inhibits growth of or kills viruses. |
| Aperient: | Mild laxative. *See also: Cathartic, Laxative and Purgative* |
| Aphrodisiac: | Stimulates sexual desire. Strengthens and tones the reproductive systems. Good for dealing with impotence. |
| Appetizer: | Stimulates the appetite. |
| Aromatic: | Fragrant herbs that stimulate and aid digestion. *See also: Carminative* |
| Astringent: | Contricts tissues to lessen swelling or stop bleeding. *See also: Hemostatic and Styptic* |
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| Bactericide: | Kills bacteria. *See also: Antibacterial* |
| Bitter: | Plants (usually roots) ranging from mildly bitter to vilely bitter in taste. Used to stimulate digestion and appetite, tone the liver and promote bile flow. It's best not to try to hide the bitter taste of these herbs with other herbs or sweetenings as the sharp taste is the catalyst. |
| Blood purifier: | "Alter" or "purify" the blood. Usually act on liver, slpeen and intestines to remove toxins gradually from the body. *See: Alterative* |
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| Calmative: | Mild sedative. *See also: Adaptogen, Sedative and Tranquilizer* |
| Cardiac: | Strengthens and tones the heart. |
| Cardioactive: | Affects the heart. |
| Carminative: | Herbs that expell gas, relieve colic and griping. *See also: Aromatic* |
| Cathartic: | Very strong purgative or laxative. May or may not cause griping. *See also: Aperient, Laxative, and Purgative* |
| Cholagogue: | Stimulate flow of liver bile. |
| Choleretic: | Stimulate gall bladder bile. |
| Condiments: | Food seasonings, but also good for easing upset stomachs, aiding digestion and eliminating gas. |
| Contraceptive: | Prevents pregnancy. |
| Counterirritant: | An irritant placed on the irritated skin to increase circulation to the affected area. |
| Cytostatic: | Halts or slows cell division. |
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| Decoction: | A beverage for medicinal purposes created by 1. boiling of herbs in water until the water reaches approximately half its original amount, or 2. pouring boiling water over herbs, steeping for approximately 6-8 hours, removing herbal material and boiling the liquid until it is half its original amount. *See also Infusion, Tea, and Tincture* |
| Demulcent: | Soothes and softens, calms irritations of mucus membranes. *See also: Emollient* |
| Deobstruent: | Remove obstructions (of Blood, Gall bladder, Glands, Intestines, Kidneys, Liver, etc...) |
| Deodorant: | A substance that nullifies or prevents odors. |
| Depressant: | Slows physical functions, usually referring to the nervous and/or circulatory systems. |
| Depurative: | Purifier. *See: Alterative and Blood Purifier* |
| Diaphoretic: | Usually warming, induces sweating. Often used for fevers. |
| Digestive: | Stimulates and aids digestion and appetite. |
| Discutient: | Dissolve tumors and growths. *See also: Anti-tumor* |
| Diuretic: | Eliminates excess water from body, increasing need for urination. Reduces bloating. |
| Dysmenorrhea: | General term used to describe irregular, painful and cramping menses. |
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| Emetic: | Induces vomiting. |
| Emmenagogue: | Promote menstrual flow. WARNING: Emmenagogues can cause miscarriages. |
| Emollient: | Soften and soothe externally when applied topically. *See also: Demulcent* |
| Estrogenic: | Activates and promotes estrogen and its functions. |
| Expectorant: | Stimulates the coughing up of phleghm to clear the lungs. |
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| Febrifuge: | Reduces fevers. |
| Fungicide: | Kills fungus. *See also: Anti-fungal* |
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| Galactagogue: | Stimulates the production of milk in nursing mothers. |
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| Hemostatic: | Stops or significantly slows bleeding. *See also: Astringent and Styptic* |
| Hepatic: | Strengthen, tone and stimulate the liver. |
| Homeopathic: | Pertaining to Homeopathy. Homeopathic practitioners believe that "like cures like". For example, if a substance causes certain symptoms in a person who is well, then it will, in very very dilute doses, cure the same symptoms in someone who is sick. Homeopathy was founded in that late 1700s by Samuel Hahnemann. |
| Hypertensive: | Raises blood pressure or having high blood pressure. |
| Hypnotic: | Induces sleep. |
| Hypoglycemic: | Lowers blood sugar, or having low blood sugar. |
| Hypotensive: | Lowering blood pressure or having low blood pressure. |
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| Immunostimulant: | Stimulates the immune system. |
| Infusion: | A beverage for medicinal purposes created by pouring boiling water over herbs and steeping for 6-8 hours. *See also: Decoction, Tea, and Tincture* |
| Insecticide: | Kills insects. |
| Irritant: | Anything that causes redness, inflammation, or irritation to any part of the body (or mental state!) |
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| Laxative: | Softens the stool and stimulates the bowels so it may be removed. |
| Lithrotriptic: | Dissolve urinary stones and gall bladder stones and gravel. *See: Resolvent* |
| Lymphatic: | Stimulate and cleanse the lymphatic system. |
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| Menorrhagia: | Frequent and heavy menses. |
| Mitogenic: | Affects cell division. |
| Moxa: | Herbs burned on or above the skin in Traditional Chinese Medicine to either stmulate an acupunture point or as a counterirritant (*See also: Counterirritant*). Often prepared Mugwort (Artemesia vulgaris) is used. |
| Mucilage: | Herbs that have a tend to have a soothing 'slime' or gumminess (like Aloe Vera) when bruised and are often used on inflammations.*See also: Demulcent* |
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Herb List |
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Herb List: Common names |
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Herb List: Scientific names |
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Herb List: Family names |
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Actions List |
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Herbal Preparations |
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Book List |
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Herb Home Page |
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| A bibliography is on each individual herb page and on the Book List Page. |
| Copyright 1999. By WhiteFox. |
