Abortifacient: Induces the premature expulsion (abortion) of a fetus; same meaning as Ecbolic: Angelica, Black Cohosh, Blue Cohosh, Cotton Root Bark, Parsley, Pennyroyal, Tansy and Yellow Cedar.
Adaptogenic: Helping the human organism adapt to stressful conditions: Asian Ginseng, American Ginseng, Siberian Ginseng and Licorice.
Amenorrhea: Absence or suppression of menstruation: Angelica, Black Cohosh, Blue Cohosh, Cotton Root Bark, Parsley, Pennyroyal, Tansy and Yellow Cedar.
Analgesic: A pain-relieving medicine. Same as anaphrodisiac: White Willow (bark), Devils Claw, Chamomile and Rosemary.
Anhydrotic: Stops sweating: Sage.
Anodyne: A pain-relieving medicine, milder than analgesic: Catnip, Skullcap and Valerian.
Antacid: Neutralizes the acid produced by the stomach: Apple (juice), Fig, Ground Ivy and Mint.
Anthelmintic: An agent that destroys and expels worms from the intestines. Same as vermifuge: Aloe, Garlic, Pomegranate, Tansy, Wormwood and Rue.
Anti-aphrodisiac: Suppressing sexual desire: Chaste Tree, Lavender and Water Lily.
Antibacterial: Destroys or stops the growth of bacteria: Echinacea, Garlic and Poke (root).
Antibilious: An herb that combats biliousness. The term biliousness refers to a group of symptoms consisting of nausea, abdominal discomfort, headache, constipation, and gas that are caused by an excessive secretion of bile: Balmony, Barberry, Dandelion, Golden Seal, Mugwort, Vervain, Wild Yam and Wormwood.
Antibiotic: An agent that inhibits the growth or multiplication of, or kills, a living organism; usually used in reference to bacteria or other microorganisms: Garlic, Echinacea, Chinese Ginseng, Licorice (root) and Wild Indigo.
Anti-convulsant: Reducing or relieving convulsions or cramps: Blue Cohosh, Camphor, Lady’s Slipper, Linden, Mistletoe, Passion Flower, Peony, Skullcap, Sweet Violet, Thorn Apple and Bedstraw.
Anti-emetic: Prevents or alleviates nausea and vomiting: Balm, Black Horehound, Cloves, Dill, Fennel and Ginger (root).
Anti-epileptic: An agent that combats the convulsions or seizures of epilepsy: Blue Cohosh, Camphor, Lady’s Slipper, Linden, Mistletoe, Passion Flower, Peony, Skullcap, Sweet Violet, Thorn Apple and Bedstraw.
Antifungal: An agent that inhibits the growth or multiplication of fungi, or kills them outright: Galangal.
Antigalactagogue: Prevents or decreases secretion of milk: Sage and Black Walnut.
Antihistaminic: Neutralizing the effect or inhibiting production of histamine: Nettle, Eyebright, Horsetail, Ground Ivy, and Plantain.
Anti-inflammatory: Reducing or neutralizing inflammation: White Willow (bark), Bogbean, Chamomile, Devil’s Claw, Marigold, St Johns Wort, White Poplar (leaves) and Witch Hazel.
Anti-lithic: Aids in preventing the formation of stones in the kidneys and bladder: Bearberry, Corn (silk), Couchgrass, Gravelroot, Parsley, Sea Holly and Wild Carrot.
Antimicrobial: An agent that inhibits the growth or multiplication of microorganisms, or kills them: Cyan, Clove, Garlic, Juniper, Marigold, Myrrh, Peppermint, Plantain, Rue and Sage.
Anti-oxidant: Preventing oxidation; a preservative: Bilberry, Garlic, Ginger, St Johns Wort, Rosemary, Milk Thistle, Peppermint, Green Tea Tree and Grape (seeds).
Antiparasitical: Destructive to parasites: Aloe, Garlic, Pomegranate, Tansy, Wormwood and Rue.
Anti-periodic: Prevents the periodic recurrence of attacks of a disease, as in malaria: Barberry and Green Tea.
Antiphlogistic: An agent that counteracts inflammation: White Willow (bark), Bogbean, Chamomile, Devil’s Claw, Marigold, St Johns Wort, White Poplar (leaves) and Witch Hazel.
Antipyretic: Reduces fever. Same as febrifuge or refrigerant: Aloe and Ginger.
Anti-rheumatic: An agent that relieves or cures rheumatism: White Willow (bark), Nettle, Horsetail, Bitch (leaves), Cottonwood and Dandelion (root and herb).
Antiscorbutic: An agent effective against scurvy: Pine and Lime.
Antiseptic: Preventing sepsis, decay, and putrefaction; also, an agent that kills germs, microbes: Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit and Orange.
Antispasmodic: Preventing or relieving spasms or cramps: Licorice, Peppermint, Spearmint, Black Cohosh, Evening Primrose, Lobelia, Motherwort and Nettle.
Anti-syphilitic: Herbs that improve or cure syphilis. Also called antileutic: Black Pepper, Cedar, Butchers Broom, American Spikenard, Iris (blue), Myrrh, Sassafras and Yellow Dock.
Antitumor: Preventing or effective against tumors or cancers: Dandelion, Ash, Blessed Thistle, Clivers, Fenugreek, Goldenseal, Mayapple, Mistletoe and Poke (root).
Antitussive: Preventing or relieving cough: Mullein and Coltsfoot.
Antivenomous: Acts against poisonous matter from animals and snakes: Pennyroyal and Skullcap.
Antiviral: An agent that inhibits growth or multiplication of viruses, or kills them: Aloe, Lysine, Licorice, Lemon Balm, Astragals, Garlic, Goldenseal, Juniper and Ginger.
Antizymotic: Herbs that can destroy disease-producing organisms: Aloe, Garlic, Pomegranate, Tansy, Wormwood and Rue.
Aperient: Causes a gentle bowel movement: Rhubarb and Prune.
Aphrodisiac: Increasing or exciting sexual desire: Damiana, Horny Goat Weed, Ginseng and Yohimbe.
Astringent: An agent that causes tissue to contract: Ground Ivy, Oak (bark), Witch Hazel and Yarrow.
Calmative: An agent with mild sedative or calming effects: Chamomile and Lavender.
Cardioactive: Affecting the heart: Broom, Bugleweed, Cyan, Hawthorn and Motherwort.
Carminative: An agent that relieves and removes gas from the digestive system: Fennel, Flax and Dill.
Cathartic: A powerful purgative or laxative, causing severe evacuation, with or without pain: Prunes, Olive, Senna, Castor and Aloe.
Cholagogue: An agent that increases bile flow to the intestines: Balmony, Barberry, Dandelion, Golden Seal and Wild Yam.
Counterirritant: An agent that produces inflammation or irritation when applied locally to affect another, usually irritated surface to stimulate circulation: Mustard, Cyan and Club Moss.
Demulcent: An agent that is locally soothing and softening: Coltsfoot, Lungwort, Licorice, Mallow, Mullein and Slippery Elm (bark).
Demulcent febrifuge: Reduces heat while building bodily fluids: Coltsfoot, Comfrey, Corn (silk), Couch Grass, Flaxseed, Irish Moss, Icelandic Moss, Licorice, Lungwort, Marshmallow, Mullein and Slippery Elm.
Deobstruent: Removes obstructions by opening natural passages or pores of the body: Butchers Broom and Prickly Ash.
Depurative: Tends to purify and cleanse the blood. Same as blood purifier: Chicory, Angelica, and Burdock (root).
Detergent: An agent that cleanses boils, sores, wounds, etc.: Willows.
Detoxicant: Removes toxins: Licorice, Elder (berries), Soy and Corn (silk).
Diaphoretic: An agent that induces sweating: Bayberry, Black Cohosh, Boneset, Cyan, Elder and Yarrow.
Digestant: Contains substances (i.e. ferments, acids) that aid in digestion: Coriander and Cumin.
Digestive: An agent that promotes digestion: Coriander and Cumin
Discutient: An agent that dissolves or causes something, such as a tumor, to disappear. Also called discussive: Arnica, Tobacco and Wheat.
Diuretic: An agent that induces urination: Clivers, Dandelion, Bladderwrack, Green Tea, Pumpkin (seed) and Yarrow.
Drastic: A violent purgative: Ipecac.
Emetic: An agent that induces vomiting: Ipecac, Lobelia and Licorice.
Emmenagogue: A substance that promotes or assists the flow of menstrual fluid: Bethroot, Black Cohosh, Blue Cohosh, Blessed Thistle, False Unicorn (root), Motherwort, and Pennyroyal.
Emollient: An agent that softens and soothes the skin when applied locally: Borage, Chickweed, Coltsfoot, Comfrey, Licorice, Mallow, Mullein, Plantain and Rose (petals).
Estrogenic: A substance that induces female hormonal activity: Soy and Blue Cohosh.
Exanthematous: Refers to any eruptive disease or fever. An herbal remedy for skin eruptions such as measles, scarlet fever, etc: Elder (berry), Oat (straw), Lemon Balm, Peppermint and Licorice.
Expectorant: An agent that induces the removal (coughing up) of mucous secretions from the lungs: Coltsfoot, Garlic, Hyssop, Mallow, Lungwort, Skunk Cabbage and Mullein.
Febrifuge: That which reduces fever. Same as antipyretic or refrigerant: Blessed Thistle, Boneset, Borage, Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Plantain and Raspberry.
Fungicidal: An agent that kills fungi: Myrrh, Tea Tree and Garlic.
Galactagogue: Promotes secretion of milk: Anise, Blessed Thistle, Fennel, Goat’s Rue, Raspberry, Basil and Vervain.
Hepatic: An herb that promotes the well-being of the liver and increases the secretion of bile: Clivers, Dandelion, Fennel, Golden Seal, Horseradish, Motherwort, Prickly Ash, Wild Yam, Wormwood, Yarrow and Yellow Dock.
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