Herbalism Basics

The Basics of Herbalism

In the basics of herbalism I will introduce the herbal and medical definitions, weights and measurements, as well as a beginner’s guide to preparation and usage of herbs.

Herbalism refers to the use of plants to create a medicinal action.

Medicinal action:

The medicinal effect an herb has on the body.

Medicinal Actions and their meanings

A , B , C , D , E , F , G , H , I , L , M , N , O , P , R , S ,T , V

A

Abortifacient: Induces an abortion.
Adaptogen: Increases the body’s resistance to stress and trauma.
Alterative: Helps restore the body to normal health.
Analgesic: Relieves pain by affecting the nervous system.
Anaphrodisiac: Lowers a person’s sexual drive.
Anesthetic: Causes loss of sensation.
Anodyne: Relieves pain by lowering the sensitivity of the nervous system.
Antacid: Neutralizes acid, usually used to reduce the acidity of the stomach.
Antiarthritic: Alleviates arthritis.
Antiasthmatic: Helps relieve asthma.
Antibacterial: Kills or inhibits the growth of bacteria.
Antibilious: Relieves excess bile.
Antibiotic: Fights bacterial infections by killing or supressing it’s growth.
Anticatarrhial: Helps relieve inflammation of the mucous membranes.
Anticoagulant: Prevents the coagulation of blood.
Antidermatosic: Helps prevent and cure skin conditions.
Antidote: Counteracts a poison.
Antiecchymotic: Prevents and helps heal bruising.
Antiemetic: Relieves nausea and vomiting.
Antifungal: Kills and inhibits the growth of fungus.
Antihelmintic: Kills and inhibits the growth of parasitic worms.
Antihypothyroid: Helps regulate the thyroid.
Anti-inflammatory: Relieves inflammation.
Antilithic: Helps prevent the formation of calculi, (gallstones, kidneystones).
Antimicrobial: Kills and inhibits the growth of microbes.
Antineoplastic: Kills and inhibits the growth of cancerous cells.
Antioxidant: Helps prevent and destroy free radicals caused by oxidation.
Antiperiodic: Helps prevent the periodic return of recurring symptoms.
Antipruritic: Relieves itching.
Antirheumatic: Alleviates rheumatism.
Antiseptic: Inhibits the growth of microbes.
Antispasmodic: Relieves spams.
Antitussive: Suppresses the urge to cough.
Antiviral: Kills viruses.
Aperient: Mild laxitive.
Aphrodisiac: Increases the libido or sexual drive.
Aromatic: Strong smelling or fragrant.
Astringent: Contracts tissues to reduce the flow of liquids such as blood, mucus, and diarrhea.

B

Bitter: Aids the digestion.

C

Carminative: Helps prevent and relieve flatulence.
Cathartic: Increases the activity of the bowels to purge the digestive system.
Cholagogue: Stimulates the production of bile.
Contraceptive: Helps prevent pregancy.
Cytostatic: Inhibits cellular growth.
Cytotoxic: Toxic to cells.

D

Decongestant: Relieves nasal congestion.
Demulcent: Forms a film or protective barrier to relieve inflammed tissue.
Depurative: Helps eliminate toxins and cleanses.
Diaphoretic: Causes excessive sweating.
Diuretic: Increases the rate of urination.

E

Emetic: Causes vomiting.
Emmenagogue: Helps stimulate blood flow in the pelvic area to promote menstrual flow.
Emollient: Used to soften skin.
Errhine: Helps stimulate nasal discharge.
Expectorant: Helps thin and bring up musus in the lungs.

F

Febrifuge: Reduces fever.

G

Galactofuge: Reduces the flow of milk from the breasts.
Galactagogue: Induces the flow of milk from the breasts.

H

Hallucinogenic: Induces hallucinations.
Hemolytic: Breaks red blood cells.
Hemostatic: Stops bleeding.
Hepatic: Acts on the liver.
Hydrogogue: Causes a watery discharge.
Hypnotic: Induces sleep or a trance.
Hypoglycemic: Lowers blood sugar.
Hypotensive: Lowers blood pressure.

I

Irritant: Causes an irritation.

L

Laxative: Loosens the stool to promote a bowel movement.
Lenitive: Helps releive pain.
Lithotriptic: Helps dissolve calculi, (gallstones, kidneystones).
Lymphagogue: Induces the flow of lymph.
Lymphatic: Acts upon the lymphatic system.

M

Mucilage: Sticky substance used as an adhesive.
Mydriatic: Causes dialation of the pupil.

N

Narcotic: An addictive substancethat alters a person’s mood or behavior.
Nervine: Acts upon the nervous system.

O

Odontalgic: Relieves a toothache.
Ophthalmic: Acts upon the eyes.
Oxytoxic: Increases oxytocin and quickens childbirth by stimulating uterine contractions.

P

Parasiticide: Kills parasites.
Pectoral: Strengthens the respiratory system.
Purgative: Clean out the bowels.

R

Refrigerant: Causes a cooling effect.
Relaxant: Induces relaxation – relieves muscle tension.
Restorative: Helps aid a person’s recovery to normal health.
Rubefacient: Dialates capillaries and brings blood to the area.

S

Sedative: Induces sleep.
Sialagogue: Induces the flow of saliva.
Sternutatory: Causes sneezing.
Stimulant: Increases activity.
Stomachic: Improves the function of the stomach.
Styptic: Reduces or stops the flow of blood.
Sudorific: Increases sweating.

T

Tonic: Helps to strengthen and improve.

V

Vasoconstrictor: Constricts the blood vessels.
Vermifuge: Expels intestinal worms.
Vesicant: Causes blistering.
Vulnerary: Helps heal and treat wounds.

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