| Alterative |
An herb that will gradually restore the proper function of the body and increase health and vitality. Sometimes referred to as blood purifiers. |
Black Walnut |
| Analgesic/Anodyne |
Analgesics or Anodynes are herbs that reduce pain. |
Purple Deadnettle, Sassafras, Yarrow |
| Anthelmintic |
Herbs that work against parasitic worms which may be present in the digestive system. |
Goldenrod |
| Anti‐microbial |
Herbs that can help the body destroy or resist pathogenic micro‐organism |
Black Walnut |
| Anti‐nauseate |
Counteracts or prevents nausea |
Boneset Seeds, Chickweed, Narrow Leaf Plantain, Yarrow |
| Anti‐pyretic/Refrigerant |
Relieves fever and thirst. A cooling remedy. Lowers body temperature. |
Black Walnut, Narrow Leaf Plantain, Yarrow |
| Anti‐rheumatic |
Herb that relieves or cures rheumatism. |
Narrow Leaf Plantain, Woolly Mullein, Yarrow |
| Anti‐spasmodic |
Relieves or prevents involuntary muscle spasm or cramps (see nervines) by strengthening nerves and the nervous system. |
Woolly Mullein |
| Anti‐syphilitic/Antiluetic |
Herbs that improve or cure syphilis |
Narrow Leaf Plantain |
| Anti‐venomous |
Acts against poisonous matter from animals. |
Yarrow |
| Anti‐viral |
Opposing the action of a virus. |
Black Walnut, Goldenrod, Narrow Leaf Plantain, Purple Deadnettle, Woolly Mullein, Yarrow |
| Antidiarrheal |
|
American Black Elderberry, Goldenrod, Narrow Leaf Plantain, Purple Deadnettle, Yarrow |
| Antiseptic |
Herbs that can prevent, resist and counteract putrification. |
Narrow Leaf Plantain |
| Astringent |
Astringents contract tissue and can reduce secretions and discharges. |
American Black Elderberry, Black Walnut, Boneset Seeds |
| Bitter |
Herbs that taste bitter act as stimulating tonics for the digestive system. |
Chickweed, Goldenrod, Yarrow |
| Calmative |
Herbs that are soothing, sedating (see also nervines). |
Boneset Seeds |
| Carminative |
An herb that is rich in volatile oils and can expel gas from the stomach and bowels. |
Chickweed, Narrow Leaf Plantain, Woolly Mullein |
| Cathartic |
Causes evacuation of the bowels. |
Narrow Leaf Plantain |
| Demulcent |
Herbs that are usually rich in mucilage and can soothe and protect damaged or inflamed tissue. |
Narrow Leaf Plantain |
| Deobstruent |
Removes obstructions by opening the natural passages or pores of the body. |
American Black Elderberry |
| Depurant/Depurative |
Herbs that remove impurities and cleanse the blood. |
American Black Elderberry, Boneset Seeds, Goldenrod, Purple Deadnettle, Yarrow |
| Detoxicant |
An herb that removes toxins from the body. |
Yarrow |
| Diaphoretic |
These herbs will aid the skin in the elimination of toxins through perspiration. |
Chickweed |
| Digestive/Digestant |
Assists the stomach and intestines in normal digestion. |
Chickweed, Goldenrod, Narrow Leaf Plantain, Purple Deadnettle, Sassafras, Woolly Mullein, Yarrow |
| Discutient |
An herb that causes the dispersal of a tumor or any pathologic accumulation. |
Boneset Seeds |
| Diuretic |
Herbs that increase the flow of urine and help in the removal of toxins from the system. |
Yarrow |
| Emetic |
Causes vomiting. |
Chickweed, Narrow Leaf Plantain, Woolly Mullein |
| Emmenagogue |
Herbs that stimulate and normalize the menstrual flow. |
Chickweed, Narrow Leaf Plantain, Woolly Mullein |
| Emollient |
An herb that is usually used externally to soften and soothe the skin. |
Boneset Seeds, Virginia Mountain Mint Seeds |
| Febrifuge |
Reduces body temperature and fever (see also refrigerant). |
Yarrow |
| Galactogogue |
Herbs that help breast feeding mothers increase the flow of mothers milk. |
Black Walnut, Shagbark Hickory |
| Hemostatic |
An herb that stops stops bleeding and purifies blood. |
American Black Elderberry, Black Walnut, Chickweed |
| Nervine |
Herbs that strengthen and tone the nervous system, easing anxiety and stress. |
Black Walnut, Narrow Leaf Plantain |
| Nutritive |
Pertaining to the process of assimulating food; having the property of nourishing. |
Chickweed |
| Parasiticide |
Herbs that can kill parasites in the digestive tract and on the skin. |
Purple Deadnettle |
| Rubefacient |
Herbs that simulate circulation locally when applied to the skin. |
Boneset Seeds, Virginia Mountain Mint Seeds, Yarrow |
| Stomachic |
Herbs that give strength and tone to the stomach, stimulate digestion, and improve the appetite. |
Boneset Seeds, Shagbark Hickory, Yarrow |
| Styptic |
Causes vascular contraction of the blood vessels or coagulation of the albuminous tissues of the blood. Checks hemorrhage. |
Black Walnut |
| Tonic |
An herb that strengthens and tones either specific organs or the whole body through nutritional stimulation. |
Narrow Leaf Plantain, Woolly Mullein, Yarrow |
