Again, this is all from Herb2000.com and I found it very important, credible and worthy enough to save for reference. As a beginner in this field I found this information invaluable. I hope it helps some other beginners here.
The Actions of Herbs
A great deal of pharmaceutical research has gone into analysing the active constituents of herbs to find out how and why they work. A much older approach is to categorise herbs by looking at what kinds of problems can be treated with their help. The understanding of actions and the way they may be used in combination is fundamental to a holistic approach.
In some cases, for instance, the action is due to a specific chemical or combination of chemicals present in the herb - the sedative Valerian is an example - or it may be due to a complex synergistic interaction between various constituents of the herbs. However, it is best to view the actions as an attribute of the herb as a whole, and any understanding of its chemical basis as an aid in prescription.
To understand this approach let us look at a couple of examples. Peppermint for instance, is an anticatarrhal, an aromatic, an antimicrobial, a carminative, a diaphoretic, an emmenagogue, a febrifuge, a nervine and a stimulant. Boneset is also an anticatarrhal, a diaphoretic and a febrifuge as well as being a bitter, a diuretic, an emetic and a tonic, which Peppermint is not. If you needed an anticatarrhal that was at the same time a diuretic, you could use Boneset, and if a stimulating anticatarrhal was needed you could use Peppermint. And the two could be combined for a wider effect.
Evidently both herbs play a part in the treatment of a whole range of problems; they not only work on specifics but have a spectrum of actions, which really makes them into the holistic tools they are. Each herb has its own spectrum of actions, so it is important to take care in combining the herbs to cover a range of related problems and to treat the cause as well as symptoms.
Below you can find a list of actions, which has been put together, and the most useful representatives in each category indicated. The herbs are in alphabetical order, not necessarily order of importance.
Alterative
Alteratives are herbs that will gradually restore the proper function of the body and increase health and vitality. They were at one time known as 'blood cleansers'.
Bladderwrack • Bloodroot • Blue Flag • Bogbean • Burdock • Cleavers • Echinacea
Figwort • Fringetree • Fumitory • Garlic • Guaiacum • Goldenseal • Mountain Grape
Nettles • Pasque Flower • Poke Root • Queen's Delight • Red Clover • Sarsaparilla
Sassafras • Wild Indigo • Yellow Dock.
Analgesic, Anodyne
Analgesics are herbs that reduce pain and are either applied externally or taken internally, depending on the case.
Figwort • Hops • Jamaican Dogwood • Lady's Slipper • Passion Flower • Poppy
Skullcap • St. John's Wort • Valerian.
Anthelmintic
Anthelmintics will destroy or expel worms from the digestive system. Unfortunately many of the most effective anthelmintics are no longer available since the new Medicines Act was introduced, as they can be toxic in high dosage. Therefore those are not listed here.
Aloes • Garlic • Pomegranate • Tansy • Thuja • Wormwood • Rue.
Antibilious
The antibilious herbs help the body to remove excess bile and can thus aid in cases of biliary and jaundice conditions. Compare also cholagogues and hepatics.
Balmony • Barberry • Dandelion • Fringetree • Goldenseal • Mugwort • Vervain
Wild Yam • Wormwood.
Anticatarrhal
The anticatarrhal herbs help the body to remove excess catarrhal buildups, whether in the sinus area or other parts.
Bearberry • Boneset • Cayenne • Coltsfoot • Cranesbill • American Echinacea
Elder • Elecampane • Eyebright • Garlic • Goldenseal • Goldenrod • Hyssop
Iceland Moss • Irish Moss • Marshmallow • Mullein • Peppermint • Sage • Thyme
Wild Indigo • Yarrow.
Anti-emetic
The anti-emetics can reduce a feeling of nausea and can help to relieve or to prevent vomiting.
Balm • Black Horehound • Cayenne • Cloves • Dill • Fennel • Lavender
Meadowsweet • Peach Leaves.
Anti-inflammatory
The anti-inflammatory herbs help the body to combat inflammations. Herbs mentioned under demulcents, emollients and vulneraries will often act in this way, especially when they are applied externally.
Black Willow • Bogbean • Chamomile • Devil's Claw • Marigold • St. John's Wort
White Poplar • Witch Hazel.
Anti-lithic
The anti-lithic herbs prevent the formation of stones or gravel in the urinary system and can help the body in their removal.
Bearberry • Buchu • Corn Silk • Couchgrass • Gravel Root • Hydrangea
Pellitory of the Wall • Parsley • Sea Holly • Stone Root • Wild Carrot.
Anti-microbial
The anti-microbial herbs can help the body to destroy or resist pathogenic micro-organisms.
Aniseed • Balsam of Peru • Bearberry • Caraway Oil • Cayenne • Clove • Coriander
Echinacea • Elecampane • Eucalyptus • Garlic • Gentian • Juniper • Marigold
Marjoram • Myrrh • Olive • Peppermint • Plantain • Rosemary • Rue • Sage
Southernwood • Thyme • Wild Indigo • Wormwood.
Anti-spasmodic
The anti-spasmodics can prevent or ease spasms or cramps in the body.
Black Haw • Black Cohosh • Chamomile • Cramp Bark • Eucalyptus • Lady's Slipper
Lime Blossom • Lobelia • Mistletoe • Motherwort • Pasque Flower • Skullcap
Skunk Cabbage • Thyme • Valerian • Vervain • Wild Lettuce • Wild Yam.
Aperient
Aperient herbs are very mild laxatives.
See 'Laxatives'.
Aromatic
The aromatic herbs have a strong and often pleasant odour and can stimulate the digestive system. They are often used to add aroma and taste to other medicines.
Aniseed •Chinese Angelica • Balm • Basil • Caraway • Cardamon • Celery
Chamomile • Cinnamon • Cloves • Coriander • Dill • Fennel • Hyssop • Ginger
Meadowsweet • Pennyroyal • Peppermint • Rosemary • Valerian • Wood Betony.
Astringent
Astringents contract tissue by precipitating proteins and can thus reduce secretions and discharges. They contain tannins.
Agrimony • Avens • Bayberry • Bearberry • Beth Root • Bistort • Black Catechu
Bugleweed • Cranesbill • Elecampane • Eyebright • Goldenrod • Ground Ivy • Kola
Lungwort • Meadowsweet • Mouse Ear • Mullein • Oak Bark • Periwinkle • Pilewort
Plantain • Ragwort • Raspberry • Sage • Rhubarb Root • Rosemary • Slippery Elm
St.John's Wort • Tormentil • Wild Cherry • Witch Hazel • Yarrow.
Bitter
Herbs that taste bitter act as stimulating tonics for the digestive system through a reflex via the taste buds.
Barberry • Boneset • Chamomile • Centaury • Gentian • Goldenseal • Hops • Rue
Southernwood • Tansy • Horehound • Wormwood.
Cardiac Tonic
Cardiac tonics affect the heart. Their specific function should be looked up in the herbal section.
Broom • Bugleweed • Cayenne • Hawthorn • Lily of the Valley • Motherwort
Night Blooming Cereus.
Carminative
The carminatives are rich in volatile oils and by their action stimulate the peristalsis of the digestive system and relax the stomach, thereby supporting the digestion and helping against gas in the digestive tract.
Chinese Angelica • Aniseed • Balm • Caraway • Cardamon • Cayenne • Cinnamon
Chamomile • Coriander • Dill • Fennel • Galangal • Garlic • Ginger • Hyssop • Juniper
Mustard • Peppermint • Sage • Thyme • Valerian.
Cholagogue
The cholagogues stimulate the release and secretion of bile from the gall-bladder, which can be a marked benefit in gall-bladder problems. They also have a laxative effect on the digestive system since the amount of bile in the duodenum increases when one takes them, and bile is our internally produced, all natural laxative.
Balmony • Barberry • Black Root • Blue Flag • Boldo • Dandelion • Fringetree
Fumitory • Gentian • Goldenseal • Mountain Grape • Wahoo • Wild Yam.
Demulcent
Demulcents are usually rich in mucilage and can soothe and protect irritated or inflamed internal tissue.
Coltsfoot • Comfrey • Corn Silk • Couchgrass • Flaxseed • Irish Moss • Lungwort
Licorice • Mallow • Marshmallow • Mullein • Oatmeal • Parsley • Slippery Elm.
Diaphoretic
Diaphoretics aid the skin in the elimination of toxins and promote perspiration.
Chinese Angelica • Bayberry • Black Cohosh • Boneset • Buchu • Cayenne
Chamomile • Elder • Fennel • Garlic • Ginger • Goldenrod • Guaiacum • Lime Blossom
Peppermint • Pleurisy Root • Prickly Ash • Thuja • Thyme • Horehound • Yarrow.
Diuretic
Diuretics increase the secretion and elimination of urine.
Agrimony • Bearberry • Blue Flag • Boldo • Boneset • Borage • Broom • Buchu
Bugleweed • Burdock • Celery Seed • Cleavers • Corn Silk • Couchgrass • Dandelion
Elder • Gravel Root • Hawthorn Berries • Juniper • Kola • Lily of the Valley
Lime Blossom • Night Blooming Cereus • Parsley • Pellitory of the Wall
Pumpkin Seed • Saw Palmetto • Sea Holly • Stone Root
Wild Carrot • Yarrow.
Emetic
Emetics cause vomiting. Most of the herbs listed cause vomiting only when taken in high dosage which can be found for each herb in the Herbal description.
Balm • Bloodroot • Boneset • Catnip • Elder Flowers • Ipecacuanha • Lobelia • Senega
Squill.
Emmenagogue
Emmenagogues stimulate and normalize menstrual flow. The term is also often used in the wider context of remedies that act as tonics to the female reproductive system.
Beth Root • Black Cohosh • Black Haw • Blessed Thistle • Blue Cohosh
Carline Thistle • Chamomile • Chaste Tree • Cramp Bark • False Unicorn Root
Fenugreek • Gentian • Ginger • Goldenseal • Juniper Berry • Lime • Marigold
Motherwort • Mugwort • Parsley • Pasque Flower • Pennyroyal • Peppermint
Raspberry • Rosemary • Rue • Sage • Shepherd's Purse • Southernwood
Squaw Vine • St. John's Wort • Tansy • Thyme • True Unicorn Root • Valerian
Vervain • Wormwood • Yarrow.
Emollient
Emollients are applied to the skin to soften, soothe or protect it and act externally in a manner similar to the way demulcents act internally.
Balm of Gilead • Borage • Chickweed • Coltsfoot • Comfrey • Elecampane
Fenugreek • Flaxseed • Licorice • Mallow • Marshmallow • Mullein • Plantain
Quince Seed • Rose Petals • Slippery Elm.
Expectorant
The expectorants support the body in the removal of excess amounts of mucus from the respiratory system.
Aniseed • Balm of Gilead • Balsam of Peru • Balsam of Tolu • Bloodroot • Coltsfoot
Comfrey • Elder Flower • Elecampane • Garlic • Goldenseal • Grindelia • Hyssop
Iceland Moss • Irish Moss • Licorice • Lobelia • Lungwort • Marshmallow • Mouse Ear
Mullein • Pleurisy Root • Senega • Skunk Cabbage • Squill • Thuja • Thyme • Vervain
Horehound • Wild Cherry.
Febrifuge • Anti-Pyretic
The febrifuges help the body to bring down fevers.
Chinese Angelica • Balm • Blessed Thistle • Boneset • Borage • Cayenne
Elder Flower • Eucalyptus • Hyssop • Lobelia • Marigold • Pennyroyal • Peppermint
Peruvian Bark • Plantain • Pleurisy Root • Prickly Ash • Raspberry • Sage • Thyme
Vervain.
Galactogogue
The galactogogues can help the breast-feeding mother to increase the flow of mother's milk.
Aniseed • Blessed Thistle • Centaury • Fennel • Goat's Rue • Raspberry • Vervain.
Hepatic
The hepatics aid the liver. Their use tones and strengthens it and increases the flow of bile from the liver.
Agrimony • Aloes • Balm • Balmony • Barberry • Black Root • Blue Flag • Boldo
Bogbean • Cascara Sagrada • Celery • Centaury • Cleavers • Dandelion • Elecampane
Fennel • Fringetree • Fumitory • Gentian • Goldenseal • Horseradish • Hyssop
Mountain Grape • Motherwort • Prickly Ash • Wahoo • Wild Indigo • Wild Yam
Wormwood • Yarrow • Yellow Dock.
Hypnotic
Hypnotics will induce sleep (not a hypnotic trance).
Hops • Jamaican Dogwood • Mistletoe • Passion Flower • Skullcap • Valerian
Wild Lettuce.
Laxative
The laxatives promote the evacuation of the bowels.
Balmony • Barberry • Buckthorn • Burdock • Cascara Sagrada • Cleavers • Dandelion
Flaxseed • Fringetree • Mountain Grape • Pellitory of the Wall • Rhubarb Root • Senna
Wahoo • Yellow Dock.
Mucilage
The mucilaginous herbs contain gelatinous constituents and will often be demulcent and emollient.
Comfrey • Fenugreek • Flaxseed • Iceland Moss • Irish Moss • Mallow • Marshmallow
Quince Seed • Slippery Elm.
Nervine
The nervines have a beneficial effect on the nervous system and tone and strengthen it. Some act as stimulants, some as relaxants.
Balm • Black Cohosh • Black Haw • Blue Cohosh • Bugleweed • Chamomile
Cramp Bark • Damiana • Ginseng • Hops • Kola • Lady's Slipper • Lavender
Lemon Balm • Lime • Lobelia • Mistletoe • Motherwort • Oats • Pasque Flower
Passion Flower • Peppermint • Red Clover • Rosemary • Skullcap • Tansy • Thyme
Valerian • Vervain • Wild Lettuce • Wormwood.
Oxytocic
The oxytocics stimulate the contraction of the uterus and can thereby help in childbirth.
Beth Root • Blue Cohosh • Goldenseal • Rue • Squaw Vine.
Pectoral
Pectorals have a general strengthening and healing effect on the respiratory system.
Aniseed • Chinese Angelica • Balm of Gilead • Balsam of Peru • Balsam of Tolu
Bloodroot • Coltsfoot • Comfrey • Elder • Elecampane • Garlic • Goldenseal
Horehound • Hyssop • Iceland Moss • Irish Moss • Licorice • Lungwort • Marshmallow
Mouse Ear • Mullein • Pleurisy Root • Senega • Skunk Cabbage • Vervain.
Rubefacient
When rubefacients are applied to the skin they cause a gentle local irritation and stimulate the dilation of the capillaries, thus increasing circulation in the skin. The blood is drawn from deeper parts of the body into the skin and thus often internal pains are relieved.
Cayenne • Cloves • Garlic • Ginger • Horseradish • Mustard • Nettle • Peppermint
Rosemary • Rue.
Sedative
The sedatives calm the nervous system and reduce stress and nervousness throughout the body. They can thus affect tissue of the body that has been irritated by nervous problems.
Black Cohosh • Black Haw • Bladderwrack • Blue Cohosh • Bloodroot • Boldo
Bugleweed • Chamomile • Cowslip • Cramp Bark • Hops • Jamaican Dogwood
Lady's slipper • Lobelia • Motherwort • Pasque Flower • Passion Flower • Red Clover
Red Poppy • Saw Palmetto • Skullcap • St. John's Wort • Valerian • Wild Cherry
Wild Lettuce • Wild Yam.
Sialagogue
The sialagogues stimulate the secretion of saliva from the salivary glands.
Bloodroot • Blue Flag • Cayenne • Centaury • Gentian • Ginger • Prickly Ash • Senega.
Soporific
The soporifics induce sleep.
Compare 'Hypnotics'.
Stimulant
Stimulants quicken and enliven the physiological function of the body.
Chinese Angelica • Balm of Gilead • Balmony • Bayberry • Benzoin • Bladderwrack
Caraway • Cardamon • Cayenne • Cinnamon • Dandelion • Eucalyptus • Galangal
Garlic • Gentian • Ginseng • Gravel Root • Ground Ivy • Horehound • Horseradish
Juniper • Marigold • Mustard • Pennyroyal • Peppermint • Prickly Ash • Rosemary
Rue • Sage • Southernwood • Tansy • Wild Yam • Wormwood • Yarrow.
Styptic
Styptics reduce or stop external bleeding by their astringency.
See 'Astringents'.
Tonic
The tonic herbs strengthen and enliven either specific organs or the whole body.
Agrimony • Chinese Angelica • Aniseed • Balm • Balmony • Bayberry • Bearberry
Beth Root • Bistort • Black Cohosh • Black Haw • Black Root • Bogbean • Boldo
Boneset • Buchu • Buckthorn • Bugleweed • Burdock • Calumba • Carline Thistle
Cayenne • Centaury • Chamomile • Cleavers • Coltsfoot • Comfrey • Condurango
Couchgrass • Cranesbill • Damiana • Dandelion • Echinacea • Elecampane
Eyebright • False UniCorn Root • Fringetree • Fumitory • Garlic • Gentian • Ginseng
Goldenseal • Gravel Root • Grindelia • Ground Ivy • Hawthorn • Horse Chestnut
Hydrangea • Hyssop • Iceland Moss • Lady's Slipper • Licorice • Lime • Marigold
Mistletoe • Motherwort • Mountain Grape • Mugwort • Mustard • Myrrh • Nettle
Oats • Parsley • Periwinkle • Poke Root • Raspberry • Red Clover • Rue • Sarsaparilla
Skullcap • Squaw Vine • Tamarind • Tansy • Thyme • Vervain • Virginia Snake Root
Wild Yam • Wood Betony • Wormwood • Yarrow • Yellow Dock.
Vulnerary
Vulneraries are applied externally and aid the body in the healing of wounds and cuts.
Aloes • Arnica • Bistort • Black Willow • Burdock • Chickweed • Cleavers • Comfrey
Cranesbill • Daisy • Elder • Elecampane • Fenugreek • Flaxseed • Garlic • Goldenseal
Horsetail • Hyssop • Irish Moss • Marigold • Marshmallow • Mullein • Myrrh • Plantain
Poke Root • Shepherd's Purse • Slippery Elm • St. John's Wort • Thyme • Witch Hazel
Wood Betony • Yarrow.
The Actions of Herbs
A great deal of pharmaceutical research has gone into analysing the active constituents of herbs to find out how and why they work. A much older approach is to categorise herbs by looking at what kinds of problems can be treated with their help. The understanding of actions and the way they may be used in combination is fundamental to a holistic approach.
In some cases, for instance, the action is due to a specific chemical or combination of chemicals present in the herb - the sedative Valerian is an example - or it may be due to a complex synergistic interaction between various constituents of the herbs. However, it is best to view the actions as an attribute of the herb as a whole, and any understanding of its chemical basis as an aid in prescription.
To understand this approach let us look at a couple of examples. Peppermint for instance, is an anticatarrhal, an aromatic, an antimicrobial, a carminative, a diaphoretic, an emmenagogue, a febrifuge, a nervine and a stimulant. Boneset is also an anticatarrhal, a diaphoretic and a febrifuge as well as being a bitter, a diuretic, an emetic and a tonic, which Peppermint is not. If you needed an anticatarrhal that was at the same time a diuretic, you could use Boneset, and if a stimulating anticatarrhal was needed you could use Peppermint. And the two could be combined for a wider effect.
Evidently both herbs play a part in the treatment of a whole range of problems; they not only work on specifics but have a spectrum of actions, which really makes them into the holistic tools they are. Each herb has its own spectrum of actions, so it is important to take care in combining the herbs to cover a range of related problems and to treat the cause as well as symptoms.
Below you can find a list of actions, which has been put together, and the most useful representatives in each category indicated. The herbs are in alphabetical order, not necessarily order of importance.
Alterative
Alteratives are herbs that will gradually restore the proper function of the body and increase health and vitality. They were at one time known as 'blood cleansers'.
Bladderwrack • Bloodroot • Blue Flag • Bogbean • Burdock • Cleavers • Echinacea
Figwort • Fringetree • Fumitory • Garlic • Guaiacum • Goldenseal • Mountain Grape
Nettles • Pasque Flower • Poke Root • Queen's Delight • Red Clover • Sarsaparilla
Sassafras • Wild Indigo • Yellow Dock.
Analgesic, Anodyne
Analgesics are herbs that reduce pain and are either applied externally or taken internally, depending on the case.
Figwort • Hops • Jamaican Dogwood • Lady's Slipper • Passion Flower • Poppy
Skullcap • St. John's Wort • Valerian.
Anthelmintic
Anthelmintics will destroy or expel worms from the digestive system. Unfortunately many of the most effective anthelmintics are no longer available since the new Medicines Act was introduced, as they can be toxic in high dosage. Therefore those are not listed here.
Aloes • Garlic • Pomegranate • Tansy • Thuja • Wormwood • Rue.
Antibilious
The antibilious herbs help the body to remove excess bile and can thus aid in cases of biliary and jaundice conditions. Compare also cholagogues and hepatics.
Balmony • Barberry • Dandelion • Fringetree • Goldenseal • Mugwort • Vervain
Wild Yam • Wormwood.
Anticatarrhal
The anticatarrhal herbs help the body to remove excess catarrhal buildups, whether in the sinus area or other parts.
Bearberry • Boneset • Cayenne • Coltsfoot • Cranesbill • American Echinacea
Elder • Elecampane • Eyebright • Garlic • Goldenseal • Goldenrod • Hyssop
Iceland Moss • Irish Moss • Marshmallow • Mullein • Peppermint • Sage • Thyme
Wild Indigo • Yarrow.
Anti-emetic
The anti-emetics can reduce a feeling of nausea and can help to relieve or to prevent vomiting.
Balm • Black Horehound • Cayenne • Cloves • Dill • Fennel • Lavender
Meadowsweet • Peach Leaves.
Anti-inflammatory
The anti-inflammatory herbs help the body to combat inflammations. Herbs mentioned under demulcents, emollients and vulneraries will often act in this way, especially when they are applied externally.
Black Willow • Bogbean • Chamomile • Devil's Claw • Marigold • St. John's Wort
White Poplar • Witch Hazel.
Anti-lithic
The anti-lithic herbs prevent the formation of stones or gravel in the urinary system and can help the body in their removal.
Bearberry • Buchu • Corn Silk • Couchgrass • Gravel Root • Hydrangea
Pellitory of the Wall • Parsley • Sea Holly • Stone Root • Wild Carrot.
Anti-microbial
The anti-microbial herbs can help the body to destroy or resist pathogenic micro-organisms.
Aniseed • Balsam of Peru • Bearberry • Caraway Oil • Cayenne • Clove • Coriander
Echinacea • Elecampane • Eucalyptus • Garlic • Gentian • Juniper • Marigold
Marjoram • Myrrh • Olive • Peppermint • Plantain • Rosemary • Rue • Sage
Southernwood • Thyme • Wild Indigo • Wormwood.
Anti-spasmodic
The anti-spasmodics can prevent or ease spasms or cramps in the body.
Black Haw • Black Cohosh • Chamomile • Cramp Bark • Eucalyptus • Lady's Slipper
Lime Blossom • Lobelia • Mistletoe • Motherwort • Pasque Flower • Skullcap
Skunk Cabbage • Thyme • Valerian • Vervain • Wild Lettuce • Wild Yam.
Aperient
Aperient herbs are very mild laxatives.
See 'Laxatives'.
Aromatic
The aromatic herbs have a strong and often pleasant odour and can stimulate the digestive system. They are often used to add aroma and taste to other medicines.
Aniseed •Chinese Angelica • Balm • Basil • Caraway • Cardamon • Celery
Chamomile • Cinnamon • Cloves • Coriander • Dill • Fennel • Hyssop • Ginger
Meadowsweet • Pennyroyal • Peppermint • Rosemary • Valerian • Wood Betony.
Astringent
Astringents contract tissue by precipitating proteins and can thus reduce secretions and discharges. They contain tannins.
Agrimony • Avens • Bayberry • Bearberry • Beth Root • Bistort • Black Catechu
Bugleweed • Cranesbill • Elecampane • Eyebright • Goldenrod • Ground Ivy • Kola
Lungwort • Meadowsweet • Mouse Ear • Mullein • Oak Bark • Periwinkle • Pilewort
Plantain • Ragwort • Raspberry • Sage • Rhubarb Root • Rosemary • Slippery Elm
St.John's Wort • Tormentil • Wild Cherry • Witch Hazel • Yarrow.
Bitter
Herbs that taste bitter act as stimulating tonics for the digestive system through a reflex via the taste buds.
Barberry • Boneset • Chamomile • Centaury • Gentian • Goldenseal • Hops • Rue
Southernwood • Tansy • Horehound • Wormwood.
Cardiac Tonic
Cardiac tonics affect the heart. Their specific function should be looked up in the herbal section.
Broom • Bugleweed • Cayenne • Hawthorn • Lily of the Valley • Motherwort
Night Blooming Cereus.
Carminative
The carminatives are rich in volatile oils and by their action stimulate the peristalsis of the digestive system and relax the stomach, thereby supporting the digestion and helping against gas in the digestive tract.
Chinese Angelica • Aniseed • Balm • Caraway • Cardamon • Cayenne • Cinnamon
Chamomile • Coriander • Dill • Fennel • Galangal • Garlic • Ginger • Hyssop • Juniper
Mustard • Peppermint • Sage • Thyme • Valerian.
Cholagogue
The cholagogues stimulate the release and secretion of bile from the gall-bladder, which can be a marked benefit in gall-bladder problems. They also have a laxative effect on the digestive system since the amount of bile in the duodenum increases when one takes them, and bile is our internally produced, all natural laxative.
Balmony • Barberry • Black Root • Blue Flag • Boldo • Dandelion • Fringetree
Fumitory • Gentian • Goldenseal • Mountain Grape • Wahoo • Wild Yam.
Demulcent
Demulcents are usually rich in mucilage and can soothe and protect irritated or inflamed internal tissue.
Coltsfoot • Comfrey • Corn Silk • Couchgrass • Flaxseed • Irish Moss • Lungwort
Licorice • Mallow • Marshmallow • Mullein • Oatmeal • Parsley • Slippery Elm.
Diaphoretic
Diaphoretics aid the skin in the elimination of toxins and promote perspiration.
Chinese Angelica • Bayberry • Black Cohosh • Boneset • Buchu • Cayenne
Chamomile • Elder • Fennel • Garlic • Ginger • Goldenrod • Guaiacum • Lime Blossom
Peppermint • Pleurisy Root • Prickly Ash • Thuja • Thyme • Horehound • Yarrow.
Diuretic
Diuretics increase the secretion and elimination of urine.
Agrimony • Bearberry • Blue Flag • Boldo • Boneset • Borage • Broom • Buchu
Bugleweed • Burdock • Celery Seed • Cleavers • Corn Silk • Couchgrass • Dandelion
Elder • Gravel Root • Hawthorn Berries • Juniper • Kola • Lily of the Valley
Lime Blossom • Night Blooming Cereus • Parsley • Pellitory of the Wall
Pumpkin Seed • Saw Palmetto • Sea Holly • Stone Root
Wild Carrot • Yarrow.
Emetic
Emetics cause vomiting. Most of the herbs listed cause vomiting only when taken in high dosage which can be found for each herb in the Herbal description.
Balm • Bloodroot • Boneset • Catnip • Elder Flowers • Ipecacuanha • Lobelia • Senega
Squill.
Emmenagogue
Emmenagogues stimulate and normalize menstrual flow. The term is also often used in the wider context of remedies that act as tonics to the female reproductive system.
Beth Root • Black Cohosh • Black Haw • Blessed Thistle • Blue Cohosh
Carline Thistle • Chamomile • Chaste Tree • Cramp Bark • False Unicorn Root
Fenugreek • Gentian • Ginger • Goldenseal • Juniper Berry • Lime • Marigold
Motherwort • Mugwort • Parsley • Pasque Flower • Pennyroyal • Peppermint
Raspberry • Rosemary • Rue • Sage • Shepherd's Purse • Southernwood
Squaw Vine • St. John's Wort • Tansy • Thyme • True Unicorn Root • Valerian
Vervain • Wormwood • Yarrow.
Emollient
Emollients are applied to the skin to soften, soothe or protect it and act externally in a manner similar to the way demulcents act internally.
Balm of Gilead • Borage • Chickweed • Coltsfoot • Comfrey • Elecampane
Fenugreek • Flaxseed • Licorice • Mallow • Marshmallow • Mullein • Plantain
Quince Seed • Rose Petals • Slippery Elm.
Expectorant
The expectorants support the body in the removal of excess amounts of mucus from the respiratory system.
Aniseed • Balm of Gilead • Balsam of Peru • Balsam of Tolu • Bloodroot • Coltsfoot
Comfrey • Elder Flower • Elecampane • Garlic • Goldenseal • Grindelia • Hyssop
Iceland Moss • Irish Moss • Licorice • Lobelia • Lungwort • Marshmallow • Mouse Ear
Mullein • Pleurisy Root • Senega • Skunk Cabbage • Squill • Thuja • Thyme • Vervain
Horehound • Wild Cherry.
Febrifuge • Anti-Pyretic
The febrifuges help the body to bring down fevers.
Chinese Angelica • Balm • Blessed Thistle • Boneset • Borage • Cayenne
Elder Flower • Eucalyptus • Hyssop • Lobelia • Marigold • Pennyroyal • Peppermint
Peruvian Bark • Plantain • Pleurisy Root • Prickly Ash • Raspberry • Sage • Thyme
Vervain.
Galactogogue
The galactogogues can help the breast-feeding mother to increase the flow of mother's milk.
Aniseed • Blessed Thistle • Centaury • Fennel • Goat's Rue • Raspberry • Vervain.
Hepatic
The hepatics aid the liver. Their use tones and strengthens it and increases the flow of bile from the liver.
Agrimony • Aloes • Balm • Balmony • Barberry • Black Root • Blue Flag • Boldo
Bogbean • Cascara Sagrada • Celery • Centaury • Cleavers • Dandelion • Elecampane
Fennel • Fringetree • Fumitory • Gentian • Goldenseal • Horseradish • Hyssop
Mountain Grape • Motherwort • Prickly Ash • Wahoo • Wild Indigo • Wild Yam
Wormwood • Yarrow • Yellow Dock.
Hypnotic
Hypnotics will induce sleep (not a hypnotic trance).
Hops • Jamaican Dogwood • Mistletoe • Passion Flower • Skullcap • Valerian
Wild Lettuce.
Laxative
The laxatives promote the evacuation of the bowels.
Balmony • Barberry • Buckthorn • Burdock • Cascara Sagrada • Cleavers • Dandelion
Flaxseed • Fringetree • Mountain Grape • Pellitory of the Wall • Rhubarb Root • Senna
Wahoo • Yellow Dock.
Mucilage
The mucilaginous herbs contain gelatinous constituents and will often be demulcent and emollient.
Comfrey • Fenugreek • Flaxseed • Iceland Moss • Irish Moss • Mallow • Marshmallow
Quince Seed • Slippery Elm.
Nervine
The nervines have a beneficial effect on the nervous system and tone and strengthen it. Some act as stimulants, some as relaxants.
Balm • Black Cohosh • Black Haw • Blue Cohosh • Bugleweed • Chamomile
Cramp Bark • Damiana • Ginseng • Hops • Kola • Lady's Slipper • Lavender
Lemon Balm • Lime • Lobelia • Mistletoe • Motherwort • Oats • Pasque Flower
Passion Flower • Peppermint • Red Clover • Rosemary • Skullcap • Tansy • Thyme
Valerian • Vervain • Wild Lettuce • Wormwood.
Oxytocic
The oxytocics stimulate the contraction of the uterus and can thereby help in childbirth.
Beth Root • Blue Cohosh • Goldenseal • Rue • Squaw Vine.
Pectoral
Pectorals have a general strengthening and healing effect on the respiratory system.
Aniseed • Chinese Angelica • Balm of Gilead • Balsam of Peru • Balsam of Tolu
Bloodroot • Coltsfoot • Comfrey • Elder • Elecampane • Garlic • Goldenseal
Horehound • Hyssop • Iceland Moss • Irish Moss • Licorice • Lungwort • Marshmallow
Mouse Ear • Mullein • Pleurisy Root • Senega • Skunk Cabbage • Vervain.
Rubefacient
When rubefacients are applied to the skin they cause a gentle local irritation and stimulate the dilation of the capillaries, thus increasing circulation in the skin. The blood is drawn from deeper parts of the body into the skin and thus often internal pains are relieved.
Cayenne • Cloves • Garlic • Ginger • Horseradish • Mustard • Nettle • Peppermint
Rosemary • Rue.
Sedative
The sedatives calm the nervous system and reduce stress and nervousness throughout the body. They can thus affect tissue of the body that has been irritated by nervous problems.
Black Cohosh • Black Haw • Bladderwrack • Blue Cohosh • Bloodroot • Boldo
Bugleweed • Chamomile • Cowslip • Cramp Bark • Hops • Jamaican Dogwood
Lady's slipper • Lobelia • Motherwort • Pasque Flower • Passion Flower • Red Clover
Red Poppy • Saw Palmetto • Skullcap • St. John's Wort • Valerian • Wild Cherry
Wild Lettuce • Wild Yam.
Sialagogue
The sialagogues stimulate the secretion of saliva from the salivary glands.
Bloodroot • Blue Flag • Cayenne • Centaury • Gentian • Ginger • Prickly Ash • Senega.
Soporific
The soporifics induce sleep.
Compare 'Hypnotics'.
Stimulant
Stimulants quicken and enliven the physiological function of the body.
Chinese Angelica • Balm of Gilead • Balmony • Bayberry • Benzoin • Bladderwrack
Caraway • Cardamon • Cayenne • Cinnamon • Dandelion • Eucalyptus • Galangal
Garlic • Gentian • Ginseng • Gravel Root • Ground Ivy • Horehound • Horseradish
Juniper • Marigold • Mustard • Pennyroyal • Peppermint • Prickly Ash • Rosemary
Rue • Sage • Southernwood • Tansy • Wild Yam • Wormwood • Yarrow.
Styptic
Styptics reduce or stop external bleeding by their astringency.
See 'Astringents'.
Tonic
The tonic herbs strengthen and enliven either specific organs or the whole body.
Agrimony • Chinese Angelica • Aniseed • Balm • Balmony • Bayberry • Bearberry
Beth Root • Bistort • Black Cohosh • Black Haw • Black Root • Bogbean • Boldo
Boneset • Buchu • Buckthorn • Bugleweed • Burdock • Calumba • Carline Thistle
Cayenne • Centaury • Chamomile • Cleavers • Coltsfoot • Comfrey • Condurango
Couchgrass • Cranesbill • Damiana • Dandelion • Echinacea • Elecampane
Eyebright • False UniCorn Root • Fringetree • Fumitory • Garlic • Gentian • Ginseng
Goldenseal • Gravel Root • Grindelia • Ground Ivy • Hawthorn • Horse Chestnut
Hydrangea • Hyssop • Iceland Moss • Lady's Slipper • Licorice • Lime • Marigold
Mistletoe • Motherwort • Mountain Grape • Mugwort • Mustard • Myrrh • Nettle
Oats • Parsley • Periwinkle • Poke Root • Raspberry • Red Clover • Rue • Sarsaparilla
Skullcap • Squaw Vine • Tamarind • Tansy • Thyme • Vervain • Virginia Snake Root
Wild Yam • Wood Betony • Wormwood • Yarrow • Yellow Dock.
Vulnerary
Vulneraries are applied externally and aid the body in the healing of wounds and cuts.
Aloes • Arnica • Bistort • Black Willow • Burdock • Chickweed • Cleavers • Comfrey
Cranesbill • Daisy • Elder • Elecampane • Fenugreek • Flaxseed • Garlic • Goldenseal
Horsetail • Hyssop • Irish Moss • Marigold • Marshmallow • Mullein • Myrrh • Plantain
Poke Root • Shepherd's Purse • Slippery Elm • St. John's Wort • Thyme • Witch Hazel
Wood Betony • Yarrow.