| Alterative |
An herb that will gradually restore the proper function of the body and increase health and vitality. Sometimes referred to as blood purifiers. |
American Black Elderberry, Chickweed, Narrow Leaf Plantain, Yarrow |
| Analgesic/Anodyne |
Analgesics or Anodynes are herbs that reduce pain. |
Boneset Seeds, Shagbark Hickory, Woolly Mullein |
| Anthelmintic |
Herbs that work against parasitic worms which may be present in the digestive system. |
Black Walnut |
| Anti‐bacterial |
Herbs with properties that can inhibit bacterial growth. |
Purple Deadnettle, Sassafras, Yarrow |
| Anti‐inflammatory |
These herbs help the body to combat inflammation |
American Black Elderberry, Goldenrod, Narrow Leaf Plantain, Purple Deadnettle, Yarrow |
| Anti‐pyretic/Refrigerant |
Relieves fever and thirst. A cooling remedy. Lowers body temperature. |
Boneset Seeds, Chickweed, Narrow Leaf Plantain, Yarrow |
| Anti‐spasmodic |
Relieves or prevents involuntary muscle spasm or cramps (see nervines) by strengthening nerves and the nervous system. |
Narrow Leaf Plantain, Woolly Mullein, Yarrow |
| Anti‐syphilitic/Antiluetic |
Herbs that improve or cure syphilis |
Narrow Leaf Plantain |
| Anti‐venomous |
Acts against poisonous matter from animals. |
Narrow Leaf Plantain |
| Anti‐viral |
Opposing the action of a virus. |
Sassafras |
| Anti–tussive |
An herb that relieves coughing. |
Woolly Mullein |
| Anticatarrhal |
Herbs that help the body reduce excess mucous and phlegm. |
Goldenrod |
| Antiparasitic |
An herb that helps eliminate parasites |
Black Walnut |
| Antiseptic |
Herbs that can prevent, resist and counteract putrification. |
Black Walnut, Narrow Leaf Plantain, Yarrow |
| Aromatic |
Herbs that have a strong and often pleasant odor and can stimulate the digestive juices. |
Yarrow |
| Astringent |
Astringents contract tissue and can reduce secretions and discharges. |
Black Walnut, Goldenrod, Narrow Leaf Plantain, Purple Deadnettle, Woolly Mullein, Yarrow |
| Bitter |
Herbs that taste bitter act as stimulating tonics for the digestive system. |
American Black Elderberry, Black Walnut, Boneset Seeds |
| Carminative |
An herb that is rich in volatile oils and can expel gas from the stomach and bowels. |
Chickweed, Goldenrod, Yarrow |
| Cathartic |
Causes evacuation of the bowels. |
Boneset Seeds |
| Demulcent |
Herbs that are usually rich in mucilage and can soothe and protect damaged or inflamed tissue. |
Chickweed |
| Deobstruent |
Removes obstructions by opening the natural passages or pores of the body. |
Narrow Leaf Plantain |
| Depurant/Depurative |
Herbs that remove impurities and cleanse the blood. |
Narrow Leaf Plantain |
| Detoxicant |
An herb that removes toxins from the body. |
American Black Elderberry |
| Diaphoretic |
These herbs will aid the skin in the elimination of toxins through perspiration. |
American Black Elderberry, Boneset Seeds, Goldenrod, Purple Deadnettle, Yarrow |
| Digestive/Digestant |
Assists the stomach and intestines in normal digestion. |
Yarrow |
| Discutient |
An herb that causes the dispersal of a tumor or any pathologic accumulation. |
Chickweed |
| Diuretic |
Herbs that increase the flow of urine and help in the removal of toxins from the system. |
Chickweed, Goldenrod, Narrow Leaf Plantain, Purple Deadnettle, Sassafras, Woolly Mullein, Yarrow |
| Emetic |
Causes vomiting. |
Boneset Seeds |
| Emollient |
An herb that is usually used externally to soften and soothe the skin. |
Chickweed, Narrow Leaf Plantain, Woolly Mullein |
| Expectorant |
Promotes the thinning and ejection of mucus or exudate from the lungs, bronchi, and trachea; sometimes the meaning is extended to all remedies that quiet a cough. |
Chickweed |
| Febrifuge |
Reduces body temperature and fever (see also refrigerant). |
Boneset Seeds |
| Hemostatic |
An herb that stops stops bleeding and purifies blood. |
Yarrow |
| Insecticide |
An herb that can kill insects. |
Black Walnut, Shagbark Hickory |
| Laxative |
Herbs that promote the evacuation of the bowels. |
American Black Elderberry, Black Walnut, Chickweed |
| Parasiticide |
Herbs that can kill parasites in the digestive tract and on the skin. |
Black Walnut, Narrow Leaf Plantain |
| Pectoral |
Healing to problems in the bronchio‐pulmonary area. |
Chickweed |
| Purgative |
A substance that promotes the vigorous evacuation of the bowels. Usually used to relieve severe constipation. |
Purple Deadnettle |
| Stimulant |
Herb that increases the activity or efficiency of a system or organ; acts more rapidly than a tonic. |
Boneset Seeds, Yarrow |
| Tonic |
An herb that strengthens and tones either specific organs or the whole body through nutritional stimulation. |
Boneset Seeds, Shagbark Hickory, Yarrow |
| Vermifuge |
An herb that expels intestinal worms or parasites. Same as anthelmintic. |
Black Walnut |
| Vulnerary |
An herb used in treating fresh cuts and wounds, usually used as a poultice. |
Narrow Leaf Plantain, Woolly Mullein, Yarrow |
