Herbal Terminology


"Let food be your medicine and your medicine be your food. Each one of the substances in a person's diet, acts upon the body and changes it in some unique way, and upon these changes the whole life depends, whether in health, in sickness or convalescent."  

Hippocrates 2 000 years ago.

Once upon a time, long long ago, healing plants were an integral part of our forefathers lives, but they never really knew for sure why these plants produced the required results for their ailments, all they knew was that they worked.

So with this in mind, we have compiled a comprehensive list of Healing Plants which highlights a specific medical action and links all the applicable common herbs to that action.



Herbal Terminology - A

ALTERATIVE:  "A substance that produces a gradual, beneficial change in the body".

  • betony

ANALEPTIC: "An analeptic in medicine is a central nervous system stimulant medication".

  • camphor

ANALGESIC:  "A medication that eliminates or reduces pain".

  • aloe
  • arnica
  • Balm of Gilead
  • camphor
  • eucalyptus
  • holy basil
  • lavender
  • marjoram
  • meadowsweet
  • nutmeg
  • passion flower
  • rue
  • St John's wort
  • tea tree oil
  • tumeric
  • wild lettuce

ANODYNE: "A medicine or agent that relieves or soothes pain".

  • Balm of Gilead
  • wild lettuce

ANTACID:   "An antacid is a substance which neutralizes stomach acidity".

ANTI-ALLERGENIC:   "Medicinal properties of herbs classifies some of the best-known herbs according to their actions".

  • dong quai
  • echinacea
  • licorice
Licorice Tea

ANTI-BACTERIAL:  "An antibacterial is a compound or substance that kills or slows down the growth of bacteria".

  • arnica
  • astralagus
  • Balm of Gilead
  • aloe
  • basil
  • betony
  • calendula
  • cardamon
  • chamomile
  • echinacea
  • ginger
  • ginkgo
  • ginseng
  • golden seal
  • jasmine
  • hops
  • lemon balm
  • nasturtium
  • origanum
Calendula for Athlete's FootCalendula
  • jasmine
  • hops
  • lemon balm
  • nasturtium

  • Oregon grape
  • peppermint
  • red sage
  • rosemary
  • sarsaparilla
  • St John's Wort
  • turmeric
  • yellow dock

ANTIBIOTIC: "The word antibiotic comes from the Greek meaning "against" and "life".


ANTI-CANCER/ANTI-TUMOR

  • astralagus
  • burdock
  • cats'claw
  • cranberry
  • dandelion
  • fennel
  • garlic
  • green tea
  • feverfew
  • licorice
  • milk thistle
  • parsley
  • rosemary
  • rooibos
  • turmeric


ANTI-CATARRHAL: "Counteracting or supressing catarrh (inflammation of the mucous membranes)".

  • eyebright

ANTI-COAGULANT:  "A substance that prevents clotting of the blood".

  • ginger

ANTI-DANDRUFF

  • lavender


ANTI-DEPRESSANT: "An anti-depressant is a psychiatric medication used to alleviate mood disorders".

  • ginseng
  • lavender
  • lemon balm
  • peppermint
  • rosemary
  • St John's Wort



ANTI-EMETIC: "Is a substance that is effective against vomiting and nausea".

  • cinnamon
  • ginger

ANTI-HISTAMINE: "A substance that counteracts the effects of histamine, used in treating allergies".

  • nettles
  • evening primrose
  • parsley
  • ginger
  • chamomile
  • saffron
  • anise
  • fennel
  • caraway
  • basil
  • Echinacea
  • thyme

WARNING;  People who are allergic to ragweed can also cross-react to Echinacea.

ANTI-HYSTERIA

  • anise

ANTI-FUNGAL: "A medication used to treat fungal infections".

  • aloe
  • golden seal
  • origanum
  • red clover
  • thyme


ANTI-HELMINTIC: A substance that expels or destroys intestinal worms (also called vermifuge)".

  • cloves

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY: "Refers to the property of a substance or treatment that reduces inflammation".

  • aloe
  • arnica
  • astralagus
  • Balmof Gilead
  • basil
  • borage
  • calendula
  • devil's claw
  • chamomile
  • echinacea
  • elderberry
  • fennel
  • feverfew
  • gingko
  • golden seal
  • horse chestnut
  • lavender
  • licorice
  • marshmellow
  • myrrh
  • meadowsweet
  • Oregon grape
  • rosemary
  • sarsaparilla
  • St John's Eort
  • tea tree oil
  • turmeric




ANTI-IRRITANT:

  • camphor

ANTI-MICROBIAL: "A substance that kills or inhibits the growth of micro-organisms such as bacteria or fungi".

  • cinnamon
  • nasturtium
  • red sage
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ANTI-NAUSEA:

  • ginger

ANTI-OXIDANT: "Antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules".

  • basil
  • clove
  • ginger
  • hawthorone
  • holy basil
  • limeflower
  • oregon grape
  • rooibos


ANTI-PLATELET: "A substance that decreases platelet aggregation and inhibits thrombus formation".

  • cinnamon

ANTI-PYRETIC:  'Are drugs or herbs that reduce fever".

  • betony
  • feverfew

ANTI-RHEUMATIC: "Anti-rheumatics are substances used to treat rheumatoid arthritis".

  • anise
  • chickweed
  • eucalyptus
  • nutmeg

ANTISEPTIC: " Are antimicrobial substances that are applied to iving tissue to reduce the possibility of infection".

  • aloe
  • bearberry
  • betony
  • camphor
  • calendula
  • cinamon
  • clove
  • chammomile
  • echinacea
  • eucalyptus
  • ginkgo
  • golden seal
  • lavender
  • myrrh
  • nutmeg
  • parsley
  • rosemary
  • thyme
  • tumeric


ANTI-SCLEROTIC: "Reduces hardening of tissues, especially arteries".

  • cinnamon

ANTI-SPASMODIC: "Is a drug or substance that suppresses muscle spasms".

  • anise
  • angelica
  • betony
  • blackhaw
  • calendula
  • cardamon
  • catnip
  • motherwort
  • nutmeg
  • passion flower
  • parsley
  • peppermint
  • red clover
  • rooibos
  • rue
  • wild lettuce
  • yarrow





ANTI-THROMBOTIC: An antithrombotic is a drug or substance which reduces thrombus formation".

  • cinnamon

ANTI-VIRALS: "Are a class of medication used specifically for treating viral infections.

  • astralagus
  • cardamon
  • echinacea
  • eucalyptus
  • ginger
  • jasmine
  • lemon balm
  • St John's Wort
  • sarsaprilla

APERIENT: "A laxative in the form of a medicine or a food".

  • anise
  • elderberry

APHRODISIAC: "An aphrodisiac is a substance that increases sexual desire".

  • cardamon
  • cinnamon
  • sawpalmetto

APPETITE SUPPRESSOR:

  • sarsaparilla

ASTRINGENT: "Causing skin or body tissue to contract".

  • alfalfa
  • bearberry
  • betony
  • cranberry
  • ginkgo
  • golden seal
  • jasmine
  • motherwort
  • myrrh
  • raspberry leaf
  • red sage
  • St John's Wort
  • thyme
  • watercress
  • yarrow

Herbal Terminology - B to D

BALSAMIC:  "Means balsam-like in the sense of "restorative" or "curative.

  • borage
  • eucalyptus
  • myrrh
  • tea tree oil


BLOOD PURIFYER

  • burdock
  • sarsaparalla


BONES AND JOINTS

  • alfalfa
  • cat's claw
  • cayenne
  • cayenne
  • celery
  • dandelion
  • devil's claw
  • feverfew
  • garlic
  • ginger
  • peppermint
  • primrose
  • red raspberry
  • St John's Wort
  • sarsaparilla
  • wintergreen


"The World Health Organization estimates that 80% of the earth's population depends on healing plants to treat common ailments".



CARMINATIVE: "Is a herb or preparation that either prevents formation of gas in the gastro-intestinal tract or facilitates the expulsion of gas, combating flatulence".

  • anise
  • angelica
  • betony
  • camphor
  • catnip
  • chamomile
  • clove
  • echinacea
  • ginger
  • lavender
  • lemon balm
  • motherwort
  • peppermint
  • rosemary


CHOLAGOGUE:"Cholagogue is a medicinal agent that promotes the discharge of bile from the system".

  • oregon grape
  • soapwort
  • wild lettuce




CHOLERETIC:   "An agent that stimulates the liver to increase output of bile"'

  • fennel
  • yarrow


CHOLESTEROL INHIBITOR

  • alfalfa


CIRCULATORY STIMULANT

  • gingko
  • rosemary


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DECONGESTANT:" A decongestant is a type of pharmaceutical drug or substance that is used to relieve nasal congestion".

  • anise
  • eucalyptus


DEMULCENT: "An agent that forms a soothing film over a mucous membrane relieving pain and inflammation.

  • nasturtium


DEPURATIVE: "Used for, or capable of depurating, purifying, a purgative".



  • Balm of Gilead
  • red clover
  • sarsaparilla
  • soapwort





DETOXIFIER:  "To get rid of poison or its effects".

  • alfalfa
  • cat's claw
  • dandelion
  • garlic
  • ginger
  • goldenseal
  • elderberry
  • holy basil
  • oregon grape
  • rosemary
  • yellow dock


DIAPHORETIC:  "Is the state of sweating profusely, commonly associated with shock and other medical emergencies".

  • angelica
  • burdock
  • catnip
  • elderberry
  • soapwort
  • tea tree oil


  • aloe
  • anise
  • chamomile
  • elderberry
  • ginger
  • gingko
  • golden seal
  • parsley


DISINFECTANT: "Disinfectants are subtances that are applied to non-living objects to destroy micro-organisms that are living on the objects".

  • holy basil
  • oraganum
  • red sage
  • tea tree oil


DIURETIC:  "A substance that causes more urine to be secreted".

  • alfalfa
  • anise
  • angelica
  • astralagus
  • bearberry
  • betony
  • burdock
  • dandelion
  • dong quai
  • fennel
  • hawthorne
  • holy basil
  • horse chestnut
  • lime flowers
  • marjoram
  • meadowsweet
  • milk thistle
  • nettles
  • raspberry leaf
  • red clover
  • saw palmetto
  • soapwort
  • watercress




Herbal Terminology - E to L

EMMENAGOGUE: "Are herbs which stimulate blood flow in the pelvic area, some stimulate menstruation".

  • angelica
  • lavender
  • motherwort
  • rue


EMETIC:  "A substance or agent that induces vomiting".

  • elderberry


EMOLIENT:  "A substance that softens and soothes the skin".

  • elderberry


ESTROGENIC:  "Having the properties of, or similar to, estrogen".

  • licorice


EDEMA REDUCER:  "Edema means swelling caused by fluid in your body's tissues".

  • horse chestnut


EXPECTORANT: "Is an agent which dissolves thick mucus and is usually used to help respiratory difficulties".

  • anise
  • angelica
  • cardomon
  • cinnamon
  • elderberry
  • eucalyptus
  • ginger
  • holy basil
  • marshmellow
  • nasturtium
  • peppermint
  • red clover
  • saw palmetto
  • soapwort
  • tea tree oil
  • watercress


FEVER REDUCER

  • chamomile
  • feverfew
  • horse chestnut
  • lavender


HEPATIC


  • angelica
  • fenner
  • motherwort
  • oregon grape


IMMUNE SYSTEM STIMULANT

  • astragulus
  • echinacea
  • elderberry
  • ginger
  • ginseng


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LACTATION STIMULANT

  • milk thistle


LIVER TONIC

  • aloe
  • dong quai
  • motherwort
  • oregon grape
  • parsley
  • wild lettuce




LAXATIVE

  • aloe
  • dong quai
  • motherwort
  • oregon grape
  • parsley
  • wild lettuce

LYMPHATIC TONIC

  • burdock
  • calendula
  • echinacea




Herbal Terminology - M to Z

MUSCLE RELAXANT

  • devils claw
  • ginger
  • hops
  • parsley

NERVINE:

  • motherwort
  • rue
  • wild lettuce

PURGATIVE: "Are foods, compounds, or drugs taken to loosen the stool, most often to treat constipation".

  • elderberry
  • soapwort
  • wild lettuce


RUBEFACIENT: "Is a substance for topical application causing dilation of the capillaries and an increase in blood circulation".

  • arnica
  • eucalyptus
  • lavender
  • rue

SEDATIVE: "Having a soothing, calming or tranquilizing effect:  reducing or relieving anxiety, stress irritability or excitement".

  • chamomile
  • devil's claw
  • holy basil
  • hops
  • lemon balm
  • lineflowers
  • passion flower
  • saw palmetto
  • wild lettuce

SPASMOLYTIC: "May refer to a type of muscle relaxant".

  • camphor
  • lavender
  • licorice

STIMULATES THE MIND

  • nutmeg

STOMACHIC: "while many herbs claim stomachic effect, modern pharmacology does not have an equivalent term for this type of effect".

  • angelica

STIMULANT: "are substances which induce temporary improvements in either mental or physical function or both".

  • anise
  • angelica
  • golden seal

UTERINE TONIC

  • Raspberry leaf

VASODILATOR: "refers to the widening of blood vessels resulting from relaxing of smooth muscles cells within the vessel walls particularly in the large arteries and large veins".

  • dong quai


VENOUS HEALTH BOOSTER

  • horse chestnut

VERMIFUGE: "A substance that expels or destroys intestinal worms".

  • rue

VULNERARY:"A remedy used in healing or treatment of wounds".

  • eucalyptus
  • lavender
  • myrrh
  • nasturtium
Growing Herbs
Preparing Herbs

And there you have it..... quite an informative list of healing plants and the conditions that they can be used for.


IMPORTANT NOTICE

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