The energetic description of herbs based upon their heating and cooling energies, the five flavours (bitter, sweet, spicy, salty and sour), along with their more specific therapeutic actions, is probably the oldest way of classifying herbs. It makes possible a system of medicine whose integration of the physical and psychological aspects of disease and holistic approach to diagnosis is by far the best way of helping a person reach an optimum level of health and well-being.
A
- Adaptogenic
- A substance that increases the body’s resistance or adaptation to physical, environmental, emotional or biological stressors and promotes normal physiological function.
- Alterative
- A substance that improves detoxification and aids elimination to reduce the accumulation of metabolic waste products within the body.
- Analgesic
- A substance that relieves pain.
- Antacid
- A substance that counteracts or neutralises acidity in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Anthelmintic
- A substance that kills or assists in the expulsion of intestinal worms and parasites.
- Antiallergic
- A substance that tones down the allergic response, often by stabilising mast cells.
- Antiarrhythmic
- A substance that prevents or is effective against arrhythmias.
- Antiasthmatic
- A substance that prevents or relieves asthma attacks.
- Antibacterial
- A substance that inhibits the growth of bacteria (bacteriostatic) or destroys bacteria (bactericidal).
- Anticatarrhal
- A substance that reduces the formation of catarrh or phlegm.
- Anticonvulsant
- A substance that tends to prevent or arrest seizures.
- Antidepressant
- A substance that alleviates depression.
- Antidiabetic
- A substance that alleviates diabetes or the effects of diabetes.
- Antidiarrhoeal
- A substance that alleviates diarrhoea.
- Antiemetic
- A substance that reduces nausea and vomiting.
- Antifungal
- A substance that inhibits the growth of or destroys fungi.
- Antihyperhidrotic
- A substance that reduces excessive sweating.
- Anti-inflammatory
- A substance that reduces inflammation.
- Antilithic
- A substance that reduces the formation of calculi (stones) in the urinary tract.
- Antioxidant
- A substance that protects against oxidation and free radical damage.
- Antiplatelet
- A substance that reduces platelet aggregation and may prevent thrombus formation.
- Antiprostatic
- A substance that reduces symptoms from the prostate gland.
- Antipruritic
- A substance that prevents or relieves itching.
- Antipsoriatic
- A substance that tends to relieve the symptoms of psoriasis.
- Antipyretic
- A substance that reduces or prevents fever.
- Antitussive
- A substance that reduces the amount or severity of coughing.
- Antiulcer
- A substance that prevents or relieves ulceration, usually in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Antiviral
- A substance that inhibits the growth of or destroys viruses.
- Anxiolytic
- A substance that alleviates anxiety.
- Astringent
- A substance that causes constriction of mucous membranes and exposed tissues, usually by precipitating proteins, producing a protective barrier on mucous or exposed surfaces.
B
- Bitter tonic
- A substance that is bitter tasting and stimulates the upper gastrointestinal tract via the bitter-sensitive taste buds of the mouth and/or by direct interaction with gastrointestinal tissue.
- Bladder tonic
- A substance that improves the tone and function of the bladder and reduces post-void residual urine.
C
- Cardioprotective
- A substance that protects cardiac tissue against hypoxia (oxygen deficiency) and decreases the risk of heart damage.
- Cardiotonic
- A substance that improves the force of contraction of the heart.
- Carminative
- A substance that relieves flatulence and soothes intestinal spasm and pain, usually by relaxing intestinal muscles.
- Cathartic
- A substance that assists or induces evacuation of the bowel and has a strong laxative action. Also known as purgatives.
- Cholagogue
- A substance that increases the release of stored bile from the gallbladder.
- Choleretic
- A substance that increases the production of bile by the liver.
- Circulatory stimulant
- A substance that improves blood flow through peripheral body tissues. Warming in nature, supporting vitality in the body tissues.
- Cognition enhancing
- A substance that facilitates learning, memory or concentration.
D
- Demulcent
- A substance that has a soothing effect on mucous membranes, for example within the respiratory, digestive and urinary tracts.
- Diaphoretic
- A substance that controls a fever, often by promoting sweating.
- Diuretic
- A substance that increases urinary output.
E
- Emetic
- A substance that causes vomiting.
- Emmenagogue
- A substance that initiates and promotes the menstrual flow.
- Emollient
- A substance used to soothe, soften or protect skin.
- Expectorant
- A substance that improves the clearing of excess mucus from the lungs by either altering the production and viscosity of mucus or improving the cough reflex.
G
- Galactogogue
- A substance that increases breast milk production.
H
- Hepatic tonic
- A substance that improves the tone, vigour and function of the liver.
- Hepatoprotective
- A substance that protects the hepatocytes (liver cells) against toxic damage.
- Hepatotropho-restorative
- A substance that restores the integrity of liver tissue.
- Hypocholesterolaemic
- A substance that reduces the level of cholesterol in the blood.
- Hypoglycaemic
- A substance that reduces the level of glucose in the blood.
- Hypolipidaemic
- A substance that reduces the lipid level (cholesterol and triglycerides) of blood.
- Hypotensive
- A substance that reduces blood pressure.
I
- Immune enhancing
- A substance that enhances immune function.
- Immune modulating
- A substance that modulates and balances the activity of the immune system.
L
- Laxative
- A substance that facilitates evacuation of the bowel.
- Lymphatic
- A substance that assists detoxification by its effect on lymphatic tissue and often also improves immune function. Used when the lymph glands are enlarged or tender.
M
- Male tonic
- A substance that improves the tone, vigour and function of the male reproductive system.
- Mucolytic
- A substance that helps break up and disperse sticky mucus in the respiratory tract.
- Mucoprotective
- A substance that protects the mucous membranes, especially in the context of the gastric lining.
- Mucous membrane tonic
- A substance that improves the tone, vigour and function of the mucous membranes, particularly of the respiratory tract.
N
- Nervine tonic
- A substance that improves the tone, vigour and function of the nervous system. Nervine tonics relax and energise the nervous system.
- Neuroprotective
- A substance that helps prevent damage to the brain or spinal cord from ischaemia, stroke, convulsions or trauma.
O
- Oestrogen modulating
- A substance that acts by subtle mechanisms to promote oestrogen production and/or effects in the body. Used to balance hormonal effects, promote fertility and alleviate menopausal symptoms.
- Ovarian tonic
- A substance that improves the tone, vigour and function of the ovaries.
P
- Progesterogenic
- A substance that promotes the effects or production of progesterone.
- Pungent
- A hot-tasting substance that acts upon a common group of nerve cell receptors, having the effect of warming the body and improving digestion and circulation.
S
- Sedative (mild)
- A substance that reduces activity, particularly in the nervous system, and decreases nervous tension. May alleviate pain, anxiety or spasm and induce sleep.
- Spasmolytic
- A substance that reduces or relieves smooth muscle spasm (involuntary contractions).
T
- Thymoleptic
- A substance that elevates mood.
- Thyroid stimulant
- A substance that enhances the activity of the thyroid gland.
U
- Urinary antiseptic
- A substance that inhibits the growth of or destroys micro-organisms within the urinary tract.
- Urinary demulcent
- A substance that has a soothing effect on mucous membranes of the urinary tract.
- Uterine antihaemorrhagic
- A substance that reduces the menstrual flow when taken internally.
- Uterine tonic
- A substance that increases the tone of the uterine muscles.
V
- Vasoconstrictor
- A substance that constricts or narrows the blood vessels.
- Vasodilator
- A substance that dilates or widens the blood vessels.
- Vasoprotective
- A substance that protects the integrity of the blood vessels, especially the fine and more delicate ones.
- Vulnerary
- A substance that promotes the healing of wounds when applied locally.