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Herb terms

Term	Definition
Adaptogen	has a normalizing effect that tends to 'right' whatever is wrong with the body.  eg. f  blood pressure is too high, it brings it down.  If it is too  low, it raises it.
Alkaloids	Different alkaloids, different functions. Some are hallucinogenic others are poisons.  They are the most potent group of plant constitants and are important tools of herbalists and healers.
Alterative	cleanses or alters the internal environment of the body without producing noticiable laxative or diuretic effects.  Restore proper function of the body.  Blood cleansers
Analgesic	Reduce pain externally and internally
Anthelmentic	Destroy and expel worms from digestive tract: aloe, garlic, wormwood, pumpkin seed, black walnut.
Anti-bilious	remove excess bile. Dandelion, barberry, golden seal, vervain
Anti-catarrhal	removes excess phleghm and mucus. boneset, cayenne, echinacea, eyebright, garlic, golden seal,mullein, slippery elm.
Anti-emetic	reduce nausea and vomiting. black horehound, meadow sweet, cayenne.
Anti-inflammatory	reduces inflammation (heat, swelling and pain) chammomile, st John's Wort, white willow,
Anti-lithic	prevent the formation of stones in urinary tract. Barberry, cornsilk, gravel root, stone root, hydrangea, p
Anti-microbial	destroys microorganisms. cloves, echinacea, garlic, wild indigo, wormwood,
Antioxident	helps prevent free radical damage of oxygen radicals. prevent aging.
Antiseptic	destroys bacteria and other microorganisms.
Anti-spasmodic	relaxes muscles prevents or eases cramps and spasms. Cramp bark, black haw, black cohosh, motherwort, valerian
Anodyne	Reduce pain externally and internally.
Aperient	Mild laxatives.
Anthraquinones	purgatives and natural dyes. Stimulate the colon. Senna, Buckthorn, Aloe, Rhubarb, yellow dock. contain these chemicals.
Aromatic	strong odor from volatile oils.
Astringent	Contract and tones muscle fiber and other tissue . Contain tannins.
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Bitters	Stimulate digestion, liver, antibiotic, anti fungal, anti tumor, sedative, expectorants, anti-inflammatories..
Blood purifier	removes toxins from the blood by strengthening liver function.
Cardiac glycosides	Increase force and power of heart beat without increasing the amount of oxygen requirement. Foxglove, lily of valley, squill.
Carminative	reduces flatulance (intestinal gas)
Cathartic	increases bowel movement
Cholagogue	stimulate release of bile from the gall bladder.  laxative.
Coumarins	Anti clotting.
Decongestant	relieves respiratory congestion
Diaphoretic	increases perspiration and detoxifies through the skin
Demulcent	contains mucilage which can soothe internal tissues. comfrey, flax seed, marshmallow, slippery elm.
Diaphoretic	promotes perspiration and eliminates toxins through the skin
Digestant	aids the digestion of food
Diuretic	increases the flow of urine to expel excess fluids from the body
Emetic	cause vomiting
Emollient	soften, soothe and protect the skin
Expectorant	expels phlegm or mucus from the lungs and sinuses by causing coughing, sneezing, and drainage
Flavones	anti-spasmodic, diuretic, circulatory and cardiac stimulants. Rutin, hesperidin, bio-flavonoids. Buckwheat, many fruits
Febrifuge	reduces fever. cayenne, elder flower, peppermint, quininie
Galactogogue	increases milk flow from mammaries
Hepatiac	strengthen and tones the liver, increases flow of bile. dandelion, golden seal, mountain grape,
Hypnotic	induce sleep. california popy, hopps, valarian, chamomile
Immune-stimulant	causes the immune system to increase activity. echinacea, garlic, astragalus
Laxative	increases bowel movement. barberry, buckthorn, cascara sagrada, senna,
Mineralizer	provides trace minerals`
Nervine	strengthens the nervous system. Some are stimulants otheres are relaxants. black cohosh, ginseng, hops, lemon balm, lavender, red clover, valerian
Oxytocic	stimulate contraction of uterus. Blue cohosh, golden seal, squaw vine
Pectoral	Strengthen and heal respiratory system. coltsfoot, comfrey, elder, elecampane, goldensel, mullein, licorice,
Phenols	Easily form compounds. Have pain killing properties. Eugenol from cloves, thymol from thyme, and salicylic acid from willow are some.
Purgative	increases bowel movement
Rubefacient	topical application to skin causes dialation of surface capillaries. Cayenne, ginger, horseradish
Saponins	anti inflammatories, expectorants, and sex hormones.  golden rod, chickweed, mullein, wild yam,
Sedative	calms the nervous system and reduces stress. blue cohosh, bugleweed, lady's slipper, skullcap, valarian
Sialagogue	induce the flow of saliva. cayenne, gentian, ginger
Soporific	induces sleep.  see hypnotics
Stimulant	increases circulation and energy. bayberry, cayenne, horseradish
Styptic	stop bleeding.  See astringents
Sudorific	Increases perspiration and detoxification through the skin
Tannins	Cause an astringent action.  Treat burns, alleviate diarrhea or internal bleeding, infections in mouth, vagina, cervix, and rectum
Tonic	strengthens and tones a part of the body
Volatile oils	found in aromatic plants. Extraction produces essential oils.  All are antiseptic, all are easily transported throughout the body acting upon the whole system, manifesting in the lungs, urine, sweat, etc. They stimulate the production of white blood cells. They act on the digestive tract and the central nervous system.  Some relax and sedate while others stimulate. Their odor triggers a reaction through the olfactory nerves into the brain.
Vulnerary	promotes the healing of tissues. aloe, comfrey (topical) chickweed, golden seal, plantain, marshmallow, mulllein, slippery elm, St. John's wort (topical)