Defining The Actions Of Herbs
Defining The Actions Of Herbs
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Through the ages of herbal practice, more than 100 terms have come about to describe the actions of herbs. However, just over three dozen of these terms are enough to describe the physical effects of herbs.
These terms are also referred to as medicinal properties, medicinal uses, medical actions, medicinal plant actions, therapeutic actions, herbal properties, physical effects of herbs, herbal actions, and medical uses of herbs.
As with all supplements, herbal nutrition supplements should only be used in amounts typically recommended for medicinal purposes and you should always consult with a health professional first, especially if you are pregnant, nursing or taking prescription medications.
Below is a guide with facts and data of the most frequently regarded actions of herbs, a definition of the action, and some of the herbs that express that action.
Adaptogen Actions that increases the body's resistance to stress, trauma, anxiety, and fatigue. Also known as rejuvenating herbs.
Astragalus, Ashwaganda, Basil, Dong Quai, Ginkgo Biloba, Gotu Kola, Licorice, Schizandra, Shiitake, Siberian Ginseng, Skullcap, Suma, Valerian.
Alterative Actions that slowly and positively "alter" the condition of the body by purifying the blood. They help the body to assimilate nutrients and eliminate waste products of metabolism.
Alfalfa, Aloe Vera, Angelica, Black Cohosh, Buckthorn, Burdock, Cascara Sagrada, Chaparral, Comfrey, Dandelion, Dong Quai, Echinacea, Golden Seal, Gotu Kola, Irish Moss, Kelp, Licorice, Mandrake, Oregon Grape, Pau d'Arco, Psyllium, Prickly Ash, Red Clover, Red Raspberry, Rhubarb, St. John's Wort, Stinging Nettle, White Willow, Wild Indigo, Yarrow, Yellow Dock, Yucca.
Analgesic Actions that reduce pain when taken orally. Also known as anodynes, which reduce pain when applied externally.
Aloe Vera, Camphor, Celandine, Chamomile, Chaparral, Cinnamon, Comfrey, Dong Quai, Hops, Meadowsweet, Mint, Passion Flower, Rosemary, Skullcap, Stinging Nettle, Thyme, Valerian, White Willow.
Anti-abortive Actions that prevent premature expulsion of the fetus.
Black Cohosh, Blue Cohosh, Chamomile, Cramp bark, False Unicorn, Lobelia, Red Raspberry.
Anti-asthmatic Actions that relieve the stresses of asthma, bronchitis, and airborne allergies.
Angelica, Astragalus, Black Cohosh, Coltsfoot, Comfrey, Lobelia, Mullein, Tea, Wild Cherry Bark, Wild Yam.
Antibacterial Actions that can prevent bacterial growth.
Astragalus, Burdock, Cinnamon, Echinacea, Garlic, Kelp, Licorice, Myrrh, Passion Flower, Skullcap, Tea, Yucca.
Antibiotic Actions that destroy or arrest growth of harmful micro-organisms. (Excessive use of antibiotics will destroy the beneficial bacteria within the intestines, but by eating fresh yogurt, friendly intestinal flora can be encouraged.)
Aloe Vera, Basil, Blue Cohosh, Buchu, Burdock, Chamomile, Chaparral, Cinnamon, Dandelion, Echinacea, Garlic, Ginseng, Goldenseal, Juniper, Kelp, Licorice, Meadowsweet, Mints, Myrrh, Rosemary, Thyme.
For bacterial infections: Balm, Burdock, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Ginseng, Meadowsweet, Mints.
For fungal infections: Aloe Vera, Burdock, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Dandelion.
For parasitic infections: Basil.
Anti-catarrhal Actions that eliminate or prevent the formation of mucus.
Anise, Black Cohosh, Black Pepper, Cayenne, Cinnamon, Coltsfoot, Comfrey, Eyebright, Ginger, Gotu Kola, Mullein, Peppermint, Sage, Saw Palmetto, Thyme, Wild Cherry Bark, Yerba Santa.
Anti-inflammatory Actions that reduce inflammation.
Angelica, Astragalus, Aswagandha, Black Cohosh, Blue Cohosh, Chamomile, Chaparral, Comfrey, Dandelion, Dong Quai, Eyebright, Fennel, Feverfew, Ginseng, Gotu Kola, Horehound, Horsetail, Licorice, Meadowsweet, Mullein, Purslane, Saw Palmetto, Shepherd's Purse, Stinging Nettle, St. John's Wort, White Willow, Yarrow, Yucca.
Antioxidant A group of vitamins, minerals and enzymes that protect the body from the formations of free radicals by neutralizing them before they can cause cellular damage and disease.
Astragalus, Balm, Basil, Chaparral, Comfrey, Gingko Biloba, Ginseng, Gotu Kola, Kelp, Licorice, Purslane, Sage, Tea.
Anti-pyretic Actions that reduce or prevent fever.
Alfalfa, Astragalus, Balm, Basil, Boneset, Chickweed, Gotu Kola, Meadowsweet, Skullcap, White Willow.
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Balm, Calendula, Chamomile, Chaparral, Cinnamon, Eyebright, Goldenseal, Meadowsweet, Myrrh, Saw Palmetto, White Willow. And the oils of; Garlic, Juniper, Pine, Sage, Thyme.
Anti-spasmodic Actions that prevent or relax muscle spasms.
Balm, Black Cohosh, Blue Cohosh, Boneset, Chamomile, Dong Quai, Fennel, Licorice, Lobelia, Mullein, Passion Flower, Red Clover, Red Raspberry, Rosemary, Skullcap, Thyme, Valerian, Wild Yam.
Aphrodisiac Actions that improve sexual potency, passion, and performance.
Angelica, Astragalus, Damiana, Dong Quai, False Unicorn, Ginseng, Kava Kava, Saw Palmetto, Yohimbe.
Aromatic Herbs with a strong and often pleasant odor that stimulate the digestive juices.
Angelica, Balm, Basil, Catnip, Chamomile, Cloves, Dong Quai, Fennel, Hawthorn, Meadowsweet, Mint, Rosemary, Stinging Nettle, Thyme.
Astringent Actions that have a binding/constricting effect (shrinks blood vessels) and can reduce secretions and discharges. (Most of these contain tannic acid.)
Bayberry, Blackberry, Black Cohosh, Cinnamon, Coltsfoot, Comfrey, Eyebright, Hawthorn, Horsetail, Meadowsweet, Mullein, Psyllium, Red Raspberry, Saw Palmetto, Shepherd's Purse, Stinging Nettle, Squawvine, St. John's Wort, Tea, Yarrow, Yellow Dock, Yucca.
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Carminative Actions that sooth the digestive tract and relieve gas and bowel cramps.
Alfalfa, Angelica, Anise, Balm, Basil, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Cloves, Comfrey, Dandelion, Dill, Fennel, Feverfew, Garlic, Ginger, Meadowsweet, Passion Flower, Peppermint, Rosemary, Thyme.
Cholagogue Actions that promote the flow and discharge of bile into the small intestines. (They have a laxative effect on the digestive system.)
Aloe Vera, Barberry, Dandelion, Goldenseal, Licorice, Mandrake, Yellow Dock.
Demulcent Actions that protect injured tissue internally. Most of them contain mucilage as a rule.
Aloe Vera, Burdock, Coltsfoot, Comfrey, Fenugreek, Kelp, Licorice, Psyllium.
Diaphorectic Actions that promote perspiration.
Angelica, Astragalus, Balm, Black Cohosh, Blessed Thistle, Boneset, Cayenne, Fennel, Garlic, Ginger, Passion Flower, Peppermint, White Willow, Yarrow.
Diuretic Actions that increase the flow of urine.
Alfalfa, Angelica, Astragalus, Buchu, Burdock, Dandelion, Dill, Dong Quai, Fennel, Gotu Kola, Hawthorn, Horsetail, Mint, Psyllium, Saw Palmetto, Stinging Nettle, White Willow, Yarrow.
Emetic Actions that induce vomiting when taken in specific doses. (Generally, in high doses.)
Bayberry, Blessed Thistle, Buckthorn, Lobelia, Mandrake.
Emmenagogue Actions that promote suppressed menstrual flow.
Angelica, Balm, Black Cohosh, Blessed Thistle, Blue Cohosh, Buchthorn, Chamomile, Dong Quai, False Unicorn, Fennel, Golden Seal, Rosemary, St. John's Wort, Valerian, Yarrow.
Emollient Actions that soften, sooth and protect the skin when applied externally or internally to sooth inflamed or irritated mucous membranes.
Aloe Vera, Basil, Burdock, Camphor, Chamomile, Coltsfoot, Comfrey, Fenugreek, Flaxseed, Irish Moss, Kelp, Licorice, Marshmallow, Mullein, Olive, Saw Palmetto, Slippery Elm.
Expectorant Actions that expel mucus from the lungs and throat.
Angelica, Anise, Bay Leaves, Black cohosh, Camphor, Chaparral, Coltsfoot, Comfrey, Fenugreek, Garlic, Ginseng, Golden Seal, Horehound, Licorice, Marshmallow, Mullein, Red Clover, Rosemary, Saw Palmetto, Stinging Nettle, Slippery Elm, Thyme, Wild Cherry Bark.
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Alfalfa, Angelica, Basil, Blessed Thistle, Dill, Fennel, Fenugreek, Horsetail, Marshmallow, Red Raspberry, Shepherd's Purse, Stinging Nettle, Vervain.
Hemostatic Actions that stop hemorrhaging.
Bayberry, Blackberry, Cayenne, Comfrey, Golden Seal, Horsetail, Mullein, Psyllium, Red Raspberry, Shepherd's Purse, Yellow Dock.
Hypoglycemic Actions that reduce sugar in the blood.
Astragalus, Black Cohosh, Burdock, Ginseng, Red Raspberry, Stinging Nettle.
Hypotensive Actions that reduce elevated blood pressure.
Astragalus, Black Cohosh, Cat's Claw, Chamomile, Dandelion, Dong Quai, Feverfew, Gotu Kola, Hawthorn, Mint, Passion Flower, Shepherd's Purse, Siberian Ginseng, Stinging Nettle, Valerian, Yarrow.
Laxative Actions that promote bowel movements.
Aloe Vera, Basil, Barberry, Boneset, Buckthorn, Burdock, Cascara Sagrada, Comfrey, Dandelion, Golden Seal, Licorice, Psyllium, Purslane, Rhubarb, Senna, Yellow Dock.
Lilthotriptic Actions that dissolve and eliminate kidney and gallstones and gravel. For kidney and bladder stones use: Cleavers, Dandelion, Horsetail, Parsley, Stinging Nettle, Uva Ursi, for the gallbladder use: Cascara Sagrada, Wild Cherry.
Nervine Actions that calm, sooth, strengthen, or tone the nervous system easing anxiety and stress.
Balm, Black Cohosh, Blue Cohosh, Blue Vervain, Chamomile, Cramp Bark, Damiana, Dong Quai, Feverfew, Ginkgo Biloba, Ginseng, Gotu Kola, Passion Flower, Red Clover, Skullcap, Valerian.
Oxytocic Actions that promote uterine contractions to assist and induce labor.
Angelica, Black Cohosh, Blue Cohosh, Dong Quai, Golden Seal, Red Raspberry, Shepherd's Purse, Squaw Vine.
Parasiticide Actions that destroy parasites in the stomach and colon and on the skin.
Basil, Cinnamon, Chaparral, Feverfew, Garlic, Thyme.
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Purgative Actions that work like fast laxatives.
Aloe Vera, Buckthorn, Cascara Sagrada, Rhubarb, Senna, Yellow Dock.
Rubefacient Actions that increase the flow of blood at the surface of the skin and produces redness where they are applied. Their main purpose is to draw inflammation and congestion from a deeper area within the body. Good for arthritis, rheumatism and other joint problems and sprains.
Black Pepper, Cayenne, Cloves, Fennel, Garlic, Peppermint, Stinging Nettle.
Sedative Actions that calm and tranquilize the nerves.
Balm, Black Cohosh, Chamomile, Comfrey, Cramp Bark, Dong Quai, Hops, Kava Kava, Lobelia, Passion Flower, Saw Palmetto, Skullcap, St. John's Wort, Valerian, Wild Yam.
Sialagogue Actions that stimulate saliva flow and thereby aid in the digestion of carbohydrates.
Black Pepper, Cayenne, Echinacea, Ginger, Licorice, Rhubarb.
Stimulant Actions that increase physical energy, accelerate blood circulation, break up obstructions and warm the body.
Angelica, Astragalus, Basil, Bayberry, Black Pepper, Blue Cohosh, Camphor, Cayenne, Cinnamon, Dandelion, Dong Quai, Echinacea, Fennel, Ginger, Ginkgo Biloba, Ginseng, Gotu Kola, Hawthorn, Juniper, Peppermint, Rosemary, Tea, Thyme.
Stomachic Actions that strengthen, stimulate or tone the digestive tract.
Astragalus, Basil, Chamomile, Cloves, Comfrey, Dandelion, Fennel, Ginger, Golden Seal, Peppermint, Red Raspberry, Rhubarb.
Tonic Actions that strengthen or invigorate organs or the entire body. (Comfrey is an excellent tonic.)
Nerves; (Nervines): Lobelia, Skullcap, Valerian. Heart; (Cardiac): Ginseng, Hawthorn, Motherwort. Stomach; (Stomachics, Bitters): Agrimony, Barberry, Gentian. Liver; (Hepatics): Cascara Sagrada, Dandelion, Mandrake. Biliary; (Stimulates bile): Dandelion, Golden Seal, Parsley. Rhubarb. Sexual; (Aids sexual functions): Damiana, Dong Quai, Ginseng, Saw Palmetto. Adrenal; (Adrenal glands) Licorice. Immune System; Astragalus
Vulnerary Actions that heal wounds by promoting cell growth and repair.
Aloe Vera, Cayenne, Comfrey, Golden Seal, Gotu Kola, Horsetail, Marshmallow, Mullein, Psyllium, Rhubarb, Rosemary, St. John's Wort, Slippery Elm, Thyme.
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