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Herbal Actions
Herbs have specific actions that can work with the body to bring balance. Learning about these actions can help you determine what herb(s) to use for your body.
Adaptogenic: increases the ability to handle stress
Alterative: cleanses the blood, gradually restoring healthy bodily functions
Analgesic: relieves or reduces pain
Anesthetic: numbs the nerves and causes lack of sensation
Anthelmintic: kills or expels intestinal worms
Antibacterial: prevents the growth of bacteria and kills it
Antibiotic: destroy or inhibit the growth or viruses and bacteria
Anticatarrhal: breakdown and eliminate mucus
Anticoagulant: prevents the blood from clotting
Antidepressant: alleviates or prevents depression
Antiemetic: relieve nausea, vomiting and stomach problems
Antifungal: kills fungal infections
Antigalactagogue: lessens the production of milk in nursing mothers
Anti-inflammatory: reduces inflammation
Antimicrobial: inhibits the growth of micro-organisms
Antineuralgic: stops nerve pain
Antioxidant: protects the body against free radicals
Antipruritic: prevents and relieves itching
Antipyretic: reduces and relieves fever
Antiseptic: destroys or prevents the growth of bacteria
Antispasmodic: relieves or prevents spasms, cramps and convulsions
Antisudorific: stops perspiration
Antitussive: stops coughing
Antiviral: weakens and kills viruses
Astringent: increases firmness and tone of tissues
Bitter: promote the flow of digestive juices, good for digestion
Calmative: mild sedative or tranquilizer
Cardiac: improves the power and regularity of the heart
Carminative: expels gas from the intestines
Cholagogue: stimulates the flow of bile
Decongestant: relives congestion
Demulcent: soothes irritated or inflamed tissue internally
Deodorant: eliminates offensive odors
Derivative: Draws blood and other fluids from one part of the body to relieve congestion in another
Diaphoretic: increases perspiration - good for fever and illness
Digestive: promotes and aids digestion
Discutient: dissolve growths and tumors
Disinfectant: kills infections and disease promoting germs
Diuretic: increases the flow of urine
Emmenagogue: promotes and regulates menstruation
Emollient: softens the skin and soothes inflamed tissue - externally
Expectorant: promotes the discharge of mucous from the throat and lungs
Febrifuge: Reduces or prevents fevers
Galactagogue: promotes or increases the milk in nursing mothers
Hemostatic: stops hemorrhaging
Hepatic: strengthens and tones the liver
Hypotensive: stabilizes blood pressure, whether too high or too low
Hypolipidemic: decreases the level of cholesterol in the blood
Immunostimulant: improves the body's innate healing capacity
Laxative: promotes bowl action
Lithotriptic: dissolves and discharge urinary and gall bladder stone
Lymphatic: stimulates and cleanses the lymphatic system
Nephritic: supports and strengthens kidney
Nervine: supports, soothes and calms the nervous system
Nootropic: supports the brain
Nutritive: herbs containing a substantial supply of nutrients, building the body
Ophthalmic: supports and strengthens eyes
Oxytocic (Parturient): facilitates labor and childbirth
Parasiticide: kills and removes parasites from the skin
Pectoral: effects and supports the respiratory system
Purgative: powerful bowl action
Refrigerant: cools and lowers body temperature
Regenerator: promotes new growth or repair of tissue that is diseased or injured
Relaxant: reduces tension and produces relaxation
Rubefacient: stimulates and increases blood flow to the surface of the skin
Sedative: calms anxiety and promotes drowsiness
Sialagogues: increased the flow of saliva
Soporifics: tends to induce drowsiness or sleep, hynotic
Stimulant: excites or quickens an activity in the body
Stomachic: strengthens, stimulates and tones the stomach
Styptic: reduces or stops external bleeding
Sudorific: promotes or increases perspiration
Tonic: strengthens and invigorates the entire body (or specific organs)
Vermifuge: expels intestinal worms
Vulnerary: wound healing both internally and externally