Herbal Terms to Know

The following is a list of terms you should be very familiar with before attempting to work with herbs. �It is very important that you know which of the following terms apply to which herbs before beginning your work.

ABORTIFACIENT---an herb or other means which induces premature expulsion of a fetus. �Do NOT use lightly! �You must know what you are doing here, too little will result in birth defects, too much will kill the patient.

ACRID--having a biting taste or causes heart and irritation when applied to the skin.

ADJUVANT--an herb used to aid the effect of a principal ingredient when added to an herbal mixture.

ALTERNATIVE--indicates a substance which alters a condition by producing a gradual change in the health.

ANALGESIC--relives or diminishes pain a/k/a ANODYNE.

ANAPHRODISIAC--reduces sexual desire.

ANTHELMINITIC--expels intestinal worms (or destroys them).

ANTIBIOTIC--destroys or arrest micro-organisms.

ANTICOAGULANT--Prevents the blood from clotting.

ANTIDOTE--an agent which counters the effects of poison or other medicines.

ANTIEMETIC--Counters nausea and ceases vomiting.

ANTIHYDROTIC--reduces perspiration.

ANTILITHIC--reduces urinary stones and �helps dissolve them.

ANTIPERIODIC--counteracts intermittent disease like malaria.

ANTIPHLOGISTIC--reduces inflammation.

ANTIPYRETIC--prevents or reduces fever.

ANTISEPTIC--destroys or inhibits bacteria.

ANTISPASMODIC--prevents or relieves spasms or cramps.

ANTITUSSIVE--relieves coughing.

APHRODISIAC--stimulates sexual desire.

APERIENT--herbals that act as mild laxatives.

APPETIZER--stimulates the appetite.

AROMATIC--herbs or agents that have a fragrant smell and produce a pungent taste.

ASTRINGENT--causes contraction of tissues.

BALSAMIC--a healing or soothing herb or agent.

CARDIAC--having an effect on the heart.

CARMINATIVE--expels gas from stomach, intestines or bowels.

CATHARTIC--strong laxative than APERIENT

CHOLAGOGUE--increases flow of bile and it's expulsion.

CORDIAL--invigorating herb.

DEMULCENT--soothing, bland. �Used to relieve internal inflammations.

DEPRESSANT--eases nervousness.

DIAPHORETIC--increase the eliminative secretions through the sweat glands, facilitates elimination of toxic and accumulative waste matter.

DIURETIC--promotes the flow of urine

EMETIC--causes evacuation of the stomach contents by inducting vomiting.

EMMENAGOGUE--acts on the reproductive system, strengths and balances the cellular tissues by regulating the body's hormonal flow.

EUPHORANT--brings an abnormal sense of vigor.

EPISPASTIC--causes blisters when applied;plies to the surface of the skin.

FEBRIFIGE--reduces fever.

GALACTAGOGUE--increased the flow of mothers milk.

HEMOSTATIC--capable of slowing down or stopping hemorrhage.

HEPATIC--acts upon the liver.

HYDTAGOGUE--produces large amounts of watery discharge.

NEPHRITIC--applies to disease of the kidneys.

NERVINES--regenerates the nervous system, having a calming effect.

OXYTOCIC--capable of producing uterine contractions.

PECTORAL--relieves affections of the chest and lungs.

POISON--harmful, destructive, fatal.

PURGATIVE--evacuates the bowels. �These are very strong and NEVER given to children!

RUBEFACIENT--used externally and causes redness and increased blood supply when rubbed into the skin.

SEDATIVE--calms the nerves

SIALAGOGUE--increase saliva.

SOPORIFIC--induces sleep.

SUFORIFIC--increase perspiration and facilitates elimination of toxins through through the skin.

STOMACHIC--stimulates the flow of digestive secretions and increases the volume of such.

STYPTIC--contracts blood vessels and stops bleeding.

TENIAFUGE--expels tapeworms.

TONIC--tones the alimentive tract and corrects problems of the digestive system. �They are normally mild and taken daily.

TOPICAL--applied to the skin only.

VASOCONSTRICTOR--narrows blood vessels and raises blood pressure.

VULNERARY--tones and heals the muscular and skeletal system and often used with emollients in a poultice for external wounds.

This list of terms is by no means complete, it is simply to give you a general overview of the more common words you will come in contact with when working with herbs. �