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Every herb contains hundreds of biochemical constituents
that may have an effect on the body. These constituents lend
themselves to descriptions according to their physiological effects, or
properties. You may see one or more of the following terms to
describe a herb's effect on the body while browsing this site:
Alteratives: Blood purifiers, treats toxicity of the blood. Helps you to assimilate nutrients and eliminate waste products.
Analgesics: Herbs that are taken to relieve pain.
Antacids: Herbs that are taken to neutralize excess acids in the stomach and intestines.
Antiasthmatics: Herbs that relieve the symptoms of Asthma.
Antiseptics: Substances applied to the skin to prevent the growth of bacteria.
Antispasmodics: Herbs that prevent or relax muscle spasms, relax the body, and allow it to use its full energy for healing.
Astringents: Substances that have a constricting or binding effect, commonly used to stop hemorrhages and secretions.
Carminatives: Herbs taken to relieve gas and bowel pain.
Demulcents: Soothing substances, taken internally to protect damaged or inflamed tissue.
Diuretics: Herbs that increase the flow of urine.
Emmenagogues: Herbs that promote menstruation, usually causing it to occur earlier, and sometimes with increased flow.
Emollients: Substances that are softening, soothing and protective to the skin.
Expectorants: Herbs that will assist in expelling mucus from the lungs and throat.
Hemostatics: Substances that arrest hemorrhaging.
Laxatives: Substances that promote bowel movements.
Nervines: Herbs that calm nervous tension.
Tonics: Herbs that promote the functions of the systems of the body. Most tonics have general effects on the whole body, but can also have a marked effect on a specific system.
Vulneraries: Herbs that encourage the healing of wounds by promoting cell growth and repair.
Analgesics: Herbs that are taken to relieve pain.
Antacids: Herbs that are taken to neutralize excess acids in the stomach and intestines.
Antiasthmatics: Herbs that relieve the symptoms of Asthma.
Antiseptics: Substances applied to the skin to prevent the growth of bacteria.
Antispasmodics: Herbs that prevent or relax muscle spasms, relax the body, and allow it to use its full energy for healing.
Astringents: Substances that have a constricting or binding effect, commonly used to stop hemorrhages and secretions.
Carminatives: Herbs taken to relieve gas and bowel pain.
Demulcents: Soothing substances, taken internally to protect damaged or inflamed tissue.
Diuretics: Herbs that increase the flow of urine.
Emmenagogues: Herbs that promote menstruation, usually causing it to occur earlier, and sometimes with increased flow.
Emollients: Substances that are softening, soothing and protective to the skin.
Expectorants: Herbs that will assist in expelling mucus from the lungs and throat.
Hemostatics: Substances that arrest hemorrhaging.
Laxatives: Substances that promote bowel movements.
Nervines: Herbs that calm nervous tension.
Tonics: Herbs that promote the functions of the systems of the body. Most tonics have general effects on the whole body, but can also have a marked effect on a specific system.
Vulneraries: Herbs that encourage the healing of wounds by promoting cell growth and repair.
Herbal Effect Terms