The Actions Of Herbs

A great deal of pharmaceutical research has gone into analysing the active constituents of herbs to find out how and why they work. A much older approach is to categorise herbs by looking at what kinds of problems can be treated with their help. The understanding of actions and the way they may be used in combination is fundamental to a holistic approach.

In some cases, for instance, the action is due to a specific chemical or combination of chemicals present in the herb - the sedative Valerian is an example - or it may be due to a complex synergistic interaction between various constituents of the herbs. However, it is best to view the actions as an attribute of the herb as a whole, and any understanding of its chemical basis as an aid in prescription.

To understand this approach let us look at a couple of examples. Peppermint for instance, is an anticatarrhal, an aromatic, an antimicrobial, a carminative, a diaphoretic, an emmenagogue, a febrifuge, a nervine and a stimulant. Boneset is also an anticatarrhal, a diaphoretic and a febrifuge as well as being a bitter, a diuretic, an emetic and a tonic, which Peppermint is not. If you needed an anticatarrhal that was at the same time a diuretic, you could use Boneset, and if a stimulating anticatarrhal was needed you could use Peppermint. And the two could be combined for a wider effect.

Evidently both herbs play a part in the treatment of a whole range of problems; they not only work on specifics but have a spectrum of actions, which really makes them into the holistic tools they are. Each herb has its own spectrum of actions, so it is important to take care in combining the herbs to cover a range of related problems and to treat the cause as well as symptoms.

Below you can find a list of actions, which has been put together, and the most useful representatives in each category indicated. The herbs are in alphabetical order, not necessarily order of importance.

Alterative

Alteratives are herbs that will gradually restore the proper function of the body and increase health and vitality. They were at one time known as 'blood cleansers'.

Bladderwrack • Bloodroot • Blue Flag • Bogbean • Burdock • Cleavers • Echinacea • Figwort • Fringetree • Fumitory • Garlic • Guaiacum • Goldenseal • Mountain Grape • Nettles • Pasque Flower • Poke Root • Queen's Delight • Red Clover • Sarsaparilla • Sassafras • Wild Indigo • Yellow Dock.

Analgesic, Anodyne

Analgesics are herbs that reduce pain and are either applied externally or taken internally, depending on the case.

Figwort • Hops • Jamaican Dogwood • Lady's Slipper • Passion Flower • Poppy • Skullcap • St. John's Wort • Valerian.

Anthelmintic

Anthelmintics will destroy or expel worms from the digestive system. Unfortunately many of the most effective anthelmintics are no longer available since the new Medicines Act was introduced, as they can be toxic in high dosage. Therefore those are not listed here.

Aloes • Garlic • Pomegranate • Tansy • Thuja • Wormwood • Rue.

Antibilious

The antibilious herbs help the body to remove excess bile and can thus aid in cases of biliary and jaundice conditions. Compare also cholagogues and hepatics.

Balmony • Barberry • Dandelion • Fringetree • Goldenseal • Mugwort • Vervain • Wild Yam • Wormwood.

Anticatarrhal

The anticatarrhal herbs help the body to remove excess catarrhal buildups, whether in the sinus area or other parts.

Bearberry • Boneset • Cayenne • Coltsfoot • Cranesbill • American Echinacea • Elder • Elecampane • Eyebright • Garlic • Goldenseal • Goldenrod • Hyssop • Iceland Moss • Irish Moss • Marshmallow • Mullein • Peppermint • Sage • Thyme • Wild Indigo • Yarrow.

Anti-emetic

The anti-emetics can reduce a feeling of nausea and can help to relieve or to prevent vomiting.

Balm • Black Horehound • Cayenne • Cloves • Dill • Fennel • Lavender • Meadowsweet • Peach Leaves.

Anti-inflammatory

The anti-inflammatory herbs help the body to combat inflammations. Herbs mentioned under demulcents, emollients and vulneraries will often act in this way, especially when they are applied externally.

Black Willow • Bogbean • Chamomile • Devil's Claw • Marigold • St. John's Wort • White Poplar • Witch Hazel.

Anti-lithic

The anti-lithic herbs prevent the formation of stones or gravel in the urinary system and can help the body in their removal.

Bearberry • Buchu • Corn Silk • Couchgrass • Gravel Root • Hydrangea • Pellitory of the Wall • Parsley • Sea Holly • Stone Root • Wild Carrot.

Anti-microbial

The anti-microbial herbs can help the body to destroy or resist pathogenic micro-organisms.

Aniseed • Balsam of Peru • Bearberry • Caraway Oil • Cayenne • Clove • Coriander • Echinacea • Elecampane • Eucalyptus • Garlic • Gentian • Juniper • Marigold • Marjoram • Myrrh • Olive • Peppermint • Plantain • Rosemary • Rue • Sage • Southernwood • Thyme • Wild Indigo • Wormwood.

Anti-spasmodic

The anti-spasmodics can prevent or ease spasms or cramps in the body.

Black Haw • Black Cohosh • Chamomile • Cramp Bark • Eucalyptus • Lady's Slipper • Lime Blossom • Lobelia • Mistletoe • Motherwort • Pasque Flower • Skullcap • Skunk Cabbage • Thyme • Valerian • Vervain • Wild Lettuce • Wild Yam.

Aperient

Aperient herbs are very mild laxatives.

See 'Laxatives'.

Aromatic

The aromatic herbs have a strong and often pleasant odour and can stimulate the digestive system. They are often used to add aroma and taste to other medicines.

Aniseed •Chinese Angelica • Balm • Basil • Caraway • Cardamon • Celery • Chamomile • Cinnamon • Cloves • Coriander • Dill • Fennel • Hyssop • Ginger • Meadowsweet • Pennyroyal • Peppermint • Rosemary • Valerian • Wood Betony.

Astringent

Astringents contract tissue by precipitating proteins and can thus reduce secretions and discharges. They contain tannins.

Agrimony • Avens • Bayberry • Bearberry • Beth Root • Bistort • Black Catechu • Bugleweed • Cranesbill • Elecampane • Eyebright • Goldenrod • Ground Ivy • Kola • Lungwort • Meadowsweet • Mouse Ear • Mullein • Oak Bark • Periwinkle • Pilewort • Plantain • Ragwort • Raspberry • Sage • Rhubarb Root • Rosemary • Slippery Elm • St.John's Wort • Tormentil • Wild Cherry • Witch Hazel • Yarrow.

Bitter

Herbs that taste bitter act as stimulating tonics for the digestive system through a reflex via the taste buds.

Barberry • Boneset • Chamomile • Centaury • Gentian • Goldenseal • Hops • Rue • Southernwood • Tansy • Horehound • Wormwood.

Cardiac Tonic

Cardiac tonics affect the heart. Their specific function should be looked up in the herbal section.

Broom • Bugleweed • Cayenne • Hawthorn • Lily of the Valley • Motherwort • Night Blooming Cereus.

Carminative

The carminatives are rich in volatile oils and by their action stimulate the peristalsis of the digestive system and relax the stomach, thereby supporting the digestion and helping against gas in the digestive tract.

Chinese Angelica • Aniseed • Balm • Caraway • Cardamon • Cayenne • Cinnamon • Chamomile • Coriander • Dill • Fennel • Galangal • Garlic • Ginger • Hyssop • Juniper • Mustard • Peppermint • Sage • Thyme • Valerian.

Cholagogue

The cholagogues stimulate the release and secretion of bile from the gall-bladder, which can be a marked benefit in gall-bladder problems. They also have a laxative effect on the digestive system since the amount of bile in the duodenum increases when one takes them, and bile is our internally produced, all natural laxative.

Balmony • Barberry • Black Root • Blue Flag • Boldo • Dandelion • Fringetree • Fumitory • Gentian • Goldenseal • Mountain Grape • Wahoo • Wild Yam.

Demulcent

Demulcents are usually rich in mucilage and can soothe and protect irritated or inflamed internal tissue.

Coltsfoot • Comfrey • Corn Silk • Couchgrass • Flaxseed • Irish Moss • Lungwort • Licorice • Mallow • Marshmallow • Mullein • Oatmeal • Parsley • Slippery Elm.

Diaphoretic

Diaphoretics aid the skin in the elimination of toxins and promote perspiration.

Chinese Angelica • Bayberry • Black Cohosh • Boneset • Buchu • Cayenne • Chamomile • Elder • Fennel • Garlic • Ginger • Goldenrod • Guaiacum • Lime Blossom • Peppermint • Pleurisy Root • Prickly Ash • Thuja • Thyme • Horehound • Yarrow.

Diuretic

Diuretics increase the secretion and elimination of urine.

Agrimony • Bearberry • Blue Flag • Boldo • Boneset • Borage • Broom • Buchu • Bugleweed • Burdock • Celery Seed • Cleavers • Corn Silk • Couchgrass • Dandelion • Elder • Gravel Root • Hawthorn Berries • Juniper • Kola • Lily of the Valley • Lime Blossom • Night Blooming Cereus • Parsley • Pellitory of the Wall • Pumpkin Seed • Saw Palmetto • Sea Holly • Stone Root • Wild Carrot • Yarrow.

Emetic

Emetics cause vomiting. Most of the herbs listed cause vomiting only when taken in high dosage which can be found for each herb in the Herbal description.

Balm • Bloodroot • Boneset • Catnip • Elder Flowers • Ipecacuanha • Lobelia • Senega • Squill.

Emmenagogue

Emmenagogues stimulate and normalize menstrual flow. The term is also often used in the wider context of remedies that act as tonics to the female reproductive system.

Beth Root • Black Cohosh • Black Haw • Blessed Thistle • Blue Cohosh • Carline Thistle • Chamomile • Chaste Tree • Cramp Bark • False Unicorn Root • Fenugreek • Gentian • Ginger • Goldenseal • Juniper Berry • Lime • Marigold • Motherwort • Mugwort • Parsley • Pasque Flower • Pennyroyal • Peppermint • Raspberry • Rosemary • Rue • Sage • Shepherd's Purse • Southernwood • Squaw Vine • St. John's Wort • Tansy • Thyme • True Unicorn Root • Valerian • Vervain • Wormwood • Yarrow.

Emollient

Emollients are applied to the skin to soften, soothe or protect it and act externally in a manner similar to the way demulcents act internally.

Balm of Gilead • Borage • Chickweed • Coltsfoot • Comfrey • Elecampane • Fenugreek • Flaxseed • Licorice • Mallow • Marshmallow • Mullein • Plantain • Quince Seed • Rose Petals • Slippery Elm.

Expectorant

The expectorants support the body in the removal of excess amounts of mucus from the respiratory system.

Aniseed • Balm of Gilead • Balsam of Peru • Balsam of Tolu • Bloodroot • Coltsfoot • Comfrey • Elder Flower • Elecampane • Garlic • Goldenseal • Grindelia • Hyssop • Iceland Moss • Irish Moss • Licorice • Lobelia • Lungwort • Marshmallow • Mouse Ear • Mullein • Pleurisy Root • Senega • Skunk Cabbage • Squill • Thuja • Thyme • Vervain • Horehound • Wild Cherry.

Febrifuge • Anti-Pyretic

The febrifuges help the body to bring down fevers.

Chinese Angelica • Balm • Blessed Thistle • Boneset • Borage • Cayenne • Elder Flower • Eucalyptus • Hyssop • Lobelia • Marigold • Pennyroyal • Peppermint • Peruvian Bark • Plantain • Pleurisy Root • Prickly Ash • Raspberry • Sage • Thyme • Vervain.

Galactogogue

The galactogogues can help the breast-feeding mother to increase the flow of mother's milk.

Aniseed • Blessed Thistle • Centaury • Fennel • Goat's Rue • Raspberry • Vervain.

Hepatic

The hepatics aid the liver. Their use tones and strengthens it and increases the flow of bile from the liver.

Agrimony • Aloes • Balm • Balmony • Barberry • Black Root • Blue Flag • Boldo • Bogbean • Cascara Sagrada • Celery • Centaury • Cleavers • Dandelion • Elecampane • Fennel • Fringetree • Fumitory • Gentian • Goldenseal • Horseradish • Hyssop • Mountain Grape • Motherwort • Prickly Ash • Wahoo • Wild Indigo • Wild Yam • Wormwood • Yarrow • Yellow Dock.

Hypnotic

Hypnotics will induce sleep (not a hypnotic trance).

Hops • Jamaican Dogwood • Mistletoe • Passion Flower • Skullcap • Valerian • Wild Lettuce.

Laxative

The laxatives promote the evacuation of the bowels.

Balmony • Barberry • Buckthorn • Burdock • Cascara Sagrada • Cleavers • Dandelion • Flaxseed • Fringetree • Mountain Grape • Pellitory of the Wall • Rhubarb Root • Senna • Wahoo • Yellow Dock.

Mucilage

The mucilaginous herbs contain gelatinous constituents and will often be demulcent and emollient.

Comfrey • Fenugreek • Flaxseed • Iceland Moss • Irish Moss • Mallow • Marshmallow • Quince Seed • Slippery Elm.

Nervine

The nervines have a beneficial effect on the nervous system and tone and strengthen it. Some act as stimulants, some as relaxants.

Balm • Black Cohosh • Black Haw • Blue Cohosh • Bugleweed • Chamomile • Cramp Bark • Damiana • Ginseng • Hops • Kola • Lady's Slipper • Lavender • Lemon Balm • Lime • Lobelia • Mistletoe • Motherwort • Oats • Pasque Flower • Passion Flower • Peppermint • Red Clover • Rosemary • Skullcap • Tansy • Thyme • Valerian • Vervain • Wild Lettuce • Wormwood.

Oxytocic

The oxytocics stimulate the contraction of the uterus and can thereby help in childbirth.

Beth Root • Blue Cohosh • Goldenseal • Rue • Squaw Vine.

Pectoral

Pectorals have a general strengthening and healing effect on the respiratory system.

Aniseed • Chinese Angelica • Balm of Gilead • Balsam of Peru • Balsam of Tolu • Bloodroot • Coltsfoot • Comfrey • Elder • Elecampane • Garlic • Goldenseal • Horehound • Hyssop • Iceland Moss • Irish Moss • Licorice • Lungwort • Marshmallow • Mouse Ear • Mullein • Pleurisy Root • Senega • Skunk Cabbage • Vervain.

Rubefacient

When rubefacients are applied to the skin they cause a gentle local irritation and stimulate the dilation of the capillaries, thus increasing circulation in the skin. The blood is drawn from deeper parts of the body into the skin and thus often internal pains are relieved.

Cayenne • Cloves • Garlic • Ginger • Horseradish • Mustard • Nettle • Peppermint • Rosemary • Rue.

Sedative

The sedatives calm the nervous system and reduce stress and nervousness throughout the body. They can thus affect tissue of the body that has been irritated by nervous problems.

Black Cohosh • Black Haw • Bladderwrack • Blue Cohosh • Bloodroot • Boldo • Bugleweed • Chamomile • Cowslip • Cramp Bark • Hops • Jamaican Dogwood • Lady's slipper • Lobelia • Motherwort • Pasque Flower • Passion Flower • Red Clover • Red Poppy • Saw Palmetto • Skullcap • St. John's Wort • Valerian • Wild Cherry • Wild Lettuce • Wild Yam.

Sialagogue

The sialagogues stimulate the secretion of saliva from the salivary glands.

Bloodroot • Blue Flag • Cayenne • Centaury • Gentian • Ginger • Prickly Ash • Senega.

Soporific

The soporifics induce sleep.

Compare 'Hypnotics'.

Stimulant

Stimulants quicken and enliven the physiological function of the body.

Chinese Angelica • Balm of Gilead • Balmony • Bayberry • Benzoin • Bladderwrack • Caraway • Cardamon • Cayenne • Cinnamon • Dandelion • Eucalyptus • Galangal • Garlic • Gentian • Ginseng • Gravel Root • Ground Ivy • Horehound • Horseradish • Juniper • Marigold • Mustard • Pennyroyal • Peppermint • Prickly Ash • Rosemary • Rue • Sage • Southernwood • Tansy • Wild Yam • Wormwood • Yarrow.

Styptic

Styptics reduce or stop external bleeding by their astringency.

See 'Astringents'.

Tonic

The tonic herbs strengthen and enliven either specific organs or the whole body.

Agrimony • Chinese Angelica • Aniseed • Balm • Balmony • Bayberry • Bearberry • Beth Root • Bistort • Black Cohosh • Black Haw • Black Root • Bogbean • Boldo • Boneset • Buchu • Buckthorn • Bugleweed • Burdock • Calumba • Carline Thistle • Cayenne • Centaury • Chamomile • Cleavers • Coltsfoot • Comfrey • Condurango • Couchgrass • Cranesbill • Damiana • Dandelion • Echinacea • Elecampane • Eyebright • False UniCorn Root • Fringetree • Fumitory • Garlic • Gentian • Ginseng • Goldenseal • Gravel Root • Grindelia • Ground Ivy • Hawthorn • Horse Chestnut • Hydrangea • Hyssop • Iceland Moss • Lady's Slipper • Licorice • Lime • Marigold • Mistletoe • Motherwort • Mountain Grape • Mugwort • Mustard • Myrrh • Nettle • Oats • Parsley • Periwinkle • Poke Root • Raspberry • Red Clover • Rue • Sarsaparilla • Skullcap • Squaw Vine • Tamarind • Tansy • Thyme • Vervain • Virginia Snake Root • Wild Yam • Wood Betony • Wormwood • Yarrow • Yellow Dock.

Vulnerary

Vulneraries are applied externally and aid the body in the healing of wounds and cuts.

Aloes • Arnica • Bistort • Black Willow • Burdock • Chickweed • Cleavers • Comfrey • Cranesbill • Daisy • Elder • Elecampane • Fenugreek • Flaxseed • Garlic • Goldenseal • Horsetail • Hyssop • Irish Moss • Marigold • Marshmallow • Mullein • Myrrh • Plantain • Poke Root • Shepherd's Purse • Slippery Elm • St. John's Wort • Thyme • Witch Hazel • Wood Betony • Yarrow.

Herbs In Alphabetical Order

A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

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