Herbal Glossary
Alterative - promotes and/or stimulates a change in the body's response to chronic and acute conditions
Analgesic - relieves pain
Anodyne - strong pain reliever Anthelmintic - dispels parasites
Antibacterial - kills or prohibits the growth of bacteria Antidepressant - relieves depression
Antifungal - prohibits the growth of fungus
Antihistamine - reduces and/or inhibits the release of histamine produced by the body Anti-inflammatory - reduces inflammation
Antilithic - reduces or dissolves mineral buildup, i.e. stones
Antimicrobial - kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms Antipyretic - reduces fevers
Antirheumatic - relieves painful joints and muscles
Antiseptic - cleans and prevents the growth of microorganisms Antispasmodic - relieves and/or stops spasms
Antithrombotic - prevents and/or lowers the chance of blood clots; may thin the blood
Antitumor - reduces and/or prevents tumor growth
Antitussive - relieves and/or reduces coughing
Antiviral - kills or inhibits the growth of viruses
Aromatic - containing volatile oils
Astringent - tightens membranes and/or dries secretions
Bitter tonic - stimulates and/or normalizes the flow of digestive secretions
Bitter - stimulating flavor of plants on the digestive system.
Cardiac relaxant - relaxes peripheral arteries, relieving back-pressure on the valves
Carminative - relieves intestinal gas and nausea
Cholagogue - promotes the flow of bile from the liver
Circulatory stimulant - increases circulation usually by dilating the peripheral arteries
Demulcent - soothes internal membranes
Detoxifying - reduces toxins with in the body
Diaphoretic - increases rerspiration, either by:
- dilating the peripheral blood vessels
- directly stimulating by drug action the nerves that affect the sweat glands
- introducing a volatile oil into the bloodstream that
performs both tasks
*Herbal/Medical Dictionary -11iichael Morre Diuretic - increases the flow of urine, either by relaxing the bladder, or by irritating the tissues
Emmenagogue - stimulates the uterus, normalizes the female reproductive system
Emollient - soothes external membranes
Expectorant - promotes the discharge of mucus from the lungs
Febrifuge - reduces and/or eliminates fevers
Galactagogue - increases milk production in nursing mothers
Hemostatic - stops or slows internal and/or external bleeding Hepatic - pertaining to the liver, a direct effect on the liver, often in reference, either, to strengthening the liver or to the term hepatoprotective
Hypnotic - induces sleep
Hypoglycemic - pertaining to hypoglycemia; a direct effect on blood sugar levels
Hypotensive - lowers high blood pressure
Immune stimulant - increases the body's immune response, by increasing white blood cell production Laxative- promotes bowel action
Nervine - calms and/or nourishes the nerves
Peripheral vasodilator - dilates the peripheral circulatory system
Refrigerant - acts as a coolant to the body
Sedative - calms motor-nerve activity
Stimulant - stimulates motor-nerve activity
Thyroid tonic - promotes proper functioning of the
thyroid
Tonic - improves a specific body system and/or the body as a whole
Vasoconstrictor - constricts the peripheral circulatory system
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