Actions of Different Types of Herbs

Alteratives	Anodynes	Antacids	Antibiotics
Anticatarrhals	Antiemetics	Antipyretics	Antiseptics
Antispasmodics	Aphrodisiacs	Aromatics	Astringents
Cardiacs	Carminatives	Cathartics	Cholagogues
Demulcents	Deobstruents	Diaphoretics (stimulating)	Diaphoretics (relaxing
Discutients	Diuretics	Emetics	Emmenagogues
Emollients	Expectorants	Febrifuges	Galactagogues
Hemostatics	Hepatics	Laxatives	Lithotriptics
Lymphatics	Mucilages	Nervines	Nutritives
Opthalmics	Oxytocics	Rubefacients	Sedatives
Sialogogues	Stimulants	Stomachics	Styptics
Tonics	Vasodilators	Vulneraries

Alteratives:

Herbs that:

• purify the blood
• promote the cleaning action of the
  spleen, liver, kidneys, and bowels

Burdock | Dandelion | Echinacea | Nettle | Red Clover

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Anodynes

Herbs that relieve pain by lessening the
excitability of the nerves and nerve centers.

Chamomile | Cloves | Kava Kava | Scullcap | Valerian | White Willow

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Antacids

Herbs that correct acid conditions in
the stomach, blood, and bowels.

Comfrey | Red Raspberry

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Antibiotics

Herbs that:

• inhibit the growth of bacteria and viruses
• destroy germs and promote the body's immunity

Echinacea | Goldenseal | Myrrh | Chaparral

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Anticatarrhals

Herbs that dry up mucus conditions
and clear the sinuses.

Cayenne | Elecampagne | Garlic | Lobelia | Marshmallow | Yerba Santa

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Antiemetics

Herbs that:

• relieve nausea and stomach upset
• prevent vomiting

Anise | Cloves | Ginger | Peppermint

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Antipyretics

Herbs that are cooling to the
internal system and help reduce fevers.
(also called "refrigerants")

Gotu Kola | Licorice | Pau D'arco | Scullcap | Valerian

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Antiseptics

Herbs that prevent the growth of bacteria.

Echinacea | Garlic | Goldenseal | Myrrh | Nettle |
Rosemary | Tea Tree Essential Oil

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Antispasmodics

Herbs that relieve muscle spasms, convulsions, or cramps.

Angelica (Dong Quai) | Black Cohosh | Calendula | Cascara Sagrada | Cayenne | Fennel | Kava Kava |
Lobelia | Scullcap | Valerian | Vervain

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Aphrodisiacs

Herbs that correct impotence.

Ginseng | Kava Kava | Saw Palmetto

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Aromatics

Herbs that aid digestion and expel wind
from the stomach and bowels. These herbs
are also used to cover the taste of
the more bitter herbs.

Anise | Cloves | Fennel | Ginger | Peppermint | Rosemary

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Astringents

Herbs that:

increase the tone and firmness of the tissues in the: lessen mucus discharge from the:

nose intestines vagina draining sores.

Calendula | Cayenne | Comfrey | Dandelion | Elecampagne | Eyebright |
Horsetail | Red Raspberry | Rosemary | Uva Ursi | Vervain | Yerba Santa

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Cardiacs

Herbs that strengthen the heart.

Black Cohosh | Hawthorne Berry

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Carminatives

Herbs that:

• stimulate expulsion of gas from
  the gastrointestinal tract
• increase muscle tone

Aromatics are also carminatives.

Angelica (Dong Quai) | Anise | Cayenne | Fennel | Garlic | Ginger

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Cathartics

Herbs that cause rapid evacuation from
the upper intestines and bowels.

Cascara Sagrada

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Cholagogues

Herbs that promote the flow of bile.

Cascara Sagrada | Dandelion | Elecampagne | Vervain | Yellow Dock

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Demulcents

Herbs that soften and relieve irritation of the mucus membranes.

Aloe Vera | Burdock | Comfrey | Licorice | Marshmallow

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Deobstruents

Herbs that remove obstructions.

Barberry (for the liver, gall bladder) | Culvers root (for the bowel) |
Goldenseal (for the glands) | Hydrangea root (for the kidneys)

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Diaphoretics (Stimulating)

Herbs that increase perspiration
(this acts, in turn, to
influence the circulatory system).

Angelica (Dong Quai) | Ephedra | Garlic | Ginger | Peppermint

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Diaphoretics (Relaxing)

Herbs that increase perspiration
(this acts, in turn, to
influence the circulatory system).

Burdock | Calendula | Chamomile | Vervain | White Willow

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Discutients

Herbs that dissolve and remove tumors
and abnormal growths. Used in poultices
and taken internally as teas.

Burdock | Chaparral | Garlic | Red Clover

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Diuretics

Herbs that increase the flow of urine.
Best combined with demulcents to soothe irritations.
Used to treat backache, prostate, sciatica, kidney stones,
swelling, scalding urine, gonorrhea, skin eruptions,
water retention, and obesity.

Black Cohosh | Burdock | Chaparral | Dandelion | Elecampagne |
Fennel | Gotu Kola | Hawthorne | Horsetail | Pau D'arco | Uva Ursi

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Emetics

Herbs that induce vomiting.

Ipecac (homeopathic) | Lobelia (tincture) | Plantain (fresh young leaves) |

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Emmenagogues

Herbs that promote menstrual flow.
DO NOT TAKE DURING PREGNANCY!!!

Angelica (Dong Quai) | Blessed Thistle | Black Cohosh | Chamomile | Blue Cohosh |
Damiana | Gentian | Goldenseal | Horsetail | Mistletoe |
Motherwort | Mugwort | Myrrh | Pennyroyal | Prickly Ash |
Rue | Safflower | Squaw Vine | Tansy

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Emollients

Herbs that,(when applied externally), soften and soothe.
These herbs may be taken internally as a demulcent.

Comfrey Root | Fenugreek | Marshmallow | Slippery Elm | Olive Oil

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Expectorants

Herbs that facilitate the excretion
of mucus from the throat and lungs.
These herbs may be combined with soothing demulcents.

Chaparral | Elecampagne | Ephedra | Fennel | Fenugreek |
Horehound | Hyssop | Licorice | Lobelia |
Mullein | Myrrh | Nettle | Yerba Santa

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Febrifuges

Herbs that reduce fevers.

Feverfew | Hyssop | White Willow

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Galactagogues

Herbs that help the nursing mother
with milk secretion.

Anise | Dandelion | Fennel | Fenugreek | Red Raspberry | Vervain

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Hemostatics

Herbs that arrest internal bleeding or
hemorrhaging. Use these herbs with Astringents. Horsetail | Mullein | Nettle |
White Oak Bark | Witch Hazel | Yarrow

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Hepatics

Herbs that strengthen, tone,
and stimulate the liver.

Aloe Vera | Bayberry | Dandelion |
Horsetail | Milk Thistle | Yellowdock

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Laxatives

Herbs that assist with bowel action.

Cascara Sagrada | Goldenseal | Licorice | Psyllium Seed | Senna | Yellowdock

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Lithotriptics

Herbs with agents that dissolve
and discharge gall bladder stones.

Cascara Sagrada | Chaparral | Hydrangea Root | Marshmallow | Uva Ursi

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Lymphatics

Herbs that stimulate and
cleanse the lymphatic system.

Chaparral | Dandelion | Echinacea | Garlic | Yellowdock

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Mucilages

Herbs that have mucilaginous properties used to soothe inflamed parts. Use with demulcents.

Comfrey Root | Marshmallow | Mullein | Slippery Elm

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Nervines

Herbs that act as nerve tonics.
These herbs relieve pain and
regulate the nervous system.

Chamomile | Lobelia | Scullcap | St. John's Wort | Vervain

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Nutritives

Herbs that supply a substantial amount of
nutrients and aid in building and toning the body.

Comfrey Root | Dandelion | Horsetail | Kelp | Marshmallow | Nettle | Red Clover

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Opthalmics

Herbs that are used for healing the eyes.

Bilberry | Eyebright | Fennel | Mullein

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Oxytocics

Herbs that are used to assist labor
and promote easy childbirth.

Angelica (Dong Quai) | Black Cohosh | Red Raspberry

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Rubefacients

Herbs that are used as external applications
to stimulate and increase blood flow to the surface wound.

Cayenne | Peppermint Essential Oil |
Rosemary Essential Oil | Thyme Essential Oil

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Sedatives

Herbs that allay excitement of
activities of an organ or
body part. These herbs reduce
nervous expenditure.

Chamomile | Kava Kava | Scullcap | St. John's Wort | Valerian | Witch Hazel

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Sialogogues

Herbs that have agents that
promote an increased flow of saliva.

Cayenne | Echinacea | Ginger | Licorice

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Stimulants

Herbs that increase and stimulate the body's processes.

Angelica (Dong Quai) | Bayberry | Cayenne | Cloves | Elecampagne |
Ephedra | Fennel | Garlic | Ginger | Ginseng |
Goldenseal | Hyssop | Myrrh | Peppermint | Red Raspberry |
Red Clover | Rosemary | Valerian | Yarrow | Yerba Santa

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Stomachics

Herbs that

• strengthen the functions of the stomach
• improve digestion and appetite

Barberry | Dandelion | Elecampagne | Ginseng | Goldenseal

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Styptics

Herbs that arrest bleeding and draining wounds.

Horsetail | Witch Hazel | Yarrow

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Tonics

Herbs that increase energy and strengthen the body.

Gall Bladder Tonic: Goldenseal
Heart Tonic: Hawthorne Berry
Intestinal Tonic: Barberry
Kidney Tonic: Burdock
Liver Tonic: Eyebright
Lung Tonic: Elecampagne
Nerve Tonic: Valerian
Sexual Tonic (female): Damiana
Sexual Tonic (male):Saw Palmetto
Stomach Tonic: Red Raspberry

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Vasodilators

Herbs that open blood vessels
and increase blood circulation.

Cayenne | Feverfew | Ginkgo

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Vulneraries

Herbs that have agents that
promote the healing of cuts,
wounds, and burns by protecting
against infection and stimulating cell growth.

Aloe Vera | Calendula | Comfrey Root | Fenugreek | Garlic | Horsetail | Marshmallow | Mullein | Rosemary | Slippery Elm | Yarrow

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