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Actions of HerbsAnd Weeds!Research in the actions of herbs and its active properties have been huge. An old approach is to categorize herbs by understanding what kind of illness’s etc they can alleviate or help treat but also how they can increase ones well being, remember that herbs are just not medicinal but very beneficial the prevention of illness by way of essential vitamins, minerals etc which in turn provides YOU with optimum health. 
Understanding and the actions of herbs and the way they can be applied together is fundamental to a holistic approach. (No use in knowing what it heals if you don’t know how to take it). Many medicinal herbs will help with the same ailment but some may have further properties that can cover other problem areas. Herbs have their own spectrum of actions and it is very important to understand that when combining healing herbs that care is taken in treating that specific problem(s) and that the cause as well as the symptom is treated. While minor irritations, problems like common colds, scratches etc can be treated by yourself, with more serious illness’s etc, it is very advisable that a trained herbalist be able to assess the condition and advise on specifics of the remedy. Here I have listed for you the definition of the action of herbs and how they are represented and in some cases I have listed some of the herbs that come under that category. Adaptogen: Energizes or invigorates the system. Alterative: The alterative herb gradually restores the intended function of the body and there increases the health and vitality of the body.Blue Flag, Burdock, Cleavers, Echinacea, Figwort, Fumitory, Garlic, Golden Seal, Mountain Grape, Nettles, Queens Delight, Red Clover, Sarsaparilla, Wild Indigo, Yellow Dock. Analgesic/Anodyne: These herbs are a pain reliever, but less potent than an anesthetic. Hops, Jamaican Dogwood, Lady’s Slipper, Passion Flower, Skullcap, St Johns Wort, Valerian. Anti-Fungal: Works to clear and balance fungal infections. Anthelmintic: Works to eliminate and destroy worms from the digestive system. Unfortunately many of the most effective anthelmintics are not available since the Medical Act of 1968 due to the toxic effect in high dosages. Garlic, Aloe, Wormwood, Pomegranate. Anti-Hydrotic: Reduces or suppresses perspiration. Anti-Bilious: This herb will help the body remove excess bile, beneficial for jaundice. (See also Cholagogue )Balmony, Barberry, Dandelion, Golden Seal, Mugwort, Vervain, Wild Yam and Wormwood. Anti-Inflammatory: Helps to combat the body of swelling/inflammation.Black Willow, Chamomile, Bogbean, Devils Claw, Marigold, Meadowsweet, St Johns Wort, Witch Hazel. Anti-Catarrhal: The Anti-Catarrahl herb helps to remove the body of excess catarrhal build-ups (mucus) in the nose (sinus) and throat area.American Cranesbill, Bearberry, Boneset, Cayenne, Echinacea, Elder, Elecampane, Eyebright, Garlic, Golden Seal, Hyssop, Irish Moss, Marshmallow, Mullein, Peppermint, Sage, Thyme, Wild Indigo, Yarrow. Anti-Emetic: Anti-Emetics can reduce a feeling of nausea, therefore helping with the prevention of vomiting.Black Horehound, Cayenne, Cloves, Dill, Fennel, Lavender, Meadowsweet, Peach leaves. Anit-Lithic: Which can prevent the formation of stones or gravel in the urinary system, also helps to remove them if they are unfortunate enough to be in the body.Bearberry, Buchu, Corn Silk, Couchgrass, Gravel Root, Hydrangea, Parsley, Piert, Pellitory of the Wall, Stone Root, Wild Carrot. Anti-Microbial: These herbs help to destroy of inhibit growth of pathogenic (agent causing bacteria) micro-organisms.Aniseed, Bearberry, Caraway Oil, Cayenne, Clove, Coriander, Echinacea, Elecampane, Garlic, Gentian, Juniper, Marigold, Marjoram, Myrrh,, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage, Southernwood, Thyme, Wild Indigo, Wormwood. Anti-Pyretic: Helps with a fever. Anti-Spasmodic: These herbs can prevent or alleviate spasms or cramps.Black Cohosh, Black haw, Chamomile, Cramp Bark, Lady’s Slipper, Lime Blossom, Lobelia, Mistletoe, Motherwort, Pasque Flower, Skullcap, Skunk Cabbage, thyme, Valerian, Vervain, Wild Lettuce, Wild Yam. Aperient: These are a mild laxative. (See Laxatives) Aperitif: Stimulates the appetite. Aphrodisiac: Aromatic: While they have a strong aroma, these herbs can stimulate the digestive system and are often used to add taste in other medicines.Angelica, Aniseed, Balm, Caraway, Cardamon, Celery, Cinnamon, Cloves, Coriander, Dill, Fennel, Hyssop, Ginger, Meadowsweet, Pennyroyal, Peppermint, rosemary, Valerian. Astringent: Astringents contracts tissue, therefore reducing secretions and discharge. Also a control for bleeding.Agrimony, American Cranesbill, Avens, Bayberry, Bearberry, Beth Root, Bistort, Black Catechu, budleweed, Eyebright, Golden Rod, Ground Ivy, Kola, Lungwort, Meadowsweet, Mouse, Ear, Oak, Periwinkle, Pilewort, Plantain, Raspberry, Red Sage, Rhubarb Root, Rosemary, Slippery Elm, St Johns Wort, Wild Cherry, Witch Hazel, Yarrow. Basalmic: Soothes or Heals. Bitter: Most herbs that taste bitter actually stimulate saliva (via taste-buds) and help the digestive system.Barberry, Boneset, Centaury, Chamomile, Gentian, golden Seal, Hops, Rue, Southernwood, Tansy, White Horehound, Wormwood, Yarrow. Cardiac Tonic: Affects the heart, the specific functions of these herbs should be looked up individually.Hawthorn, Motherwort, Night Blooming Cereus. Calmative: Mild sedative or hypnotic properties. Carminative: The carminative herbs are rich in volatile oils, they stimulate the system and relax the stomach, which aids in the prevention of gas and help to rid of gas already in the body.Angelica, Aniseed, Balm, Black Mustard, Caraway, Cardamon, Cayenne, Cinnamon, Chamomile, Coriander, Dill, Fennel, Galangah, Garlic, Ginger, Hyssop, Juniper, Peppermint, Sage, Thyme, Valerian. Catarrh: Inflammation of mucous membranes. Cholegogue: These herbs help to stimulate and release bile from the gall-bladder which if you have gall-bladder problems this should help. They also have a laxative effect and increase the amount of bile in the duodenum. Bile is our internally produced all natural laxative.Balmony, Barberry, Black Root Blue Flag, Boldo, Dandelion, Fringetree, Fumitory, Gentian, Golden Seal, Mountain Grape, Wahoo, Wild Yam. Decoction: A herb extract made by boiling or simmering the herb. Demulcent: Rich in mucilage, can soothe and protect inflamed or irritated internal tissue.Coltsfoot, Comfrey, Corn Silk, Couchgrass, Flax Seed, Irish Moss, Lungwort, Licorice, Mallow, Marshmallow, Mullein Oats, Parsley, Slippery Elm. Diaphoretic: These herbs aid elimination of toxins in the body and promote sweating.Angelica, Bayberry, Boneset, Bulcm, Cayenne, Chamomile, Elder, Fennel, Garlic, Ginger, Golden Rod, Guaiacum, Lime Blossom, Peppermint, Pleurisy Root, Prickly Ash, Thuja, Thyme, White Horehound, Yarrow. Diuretic: Increases the flow of urine.Agrimony, Bearberry, Blue Flag, Boldo, Boneset, Borage, Broom, Buche, Bugleweed, Burdock, Celery Seed, Cleavers, Corn Silk, Couchgrass, Dandelion, Elder, Gravel Root, Hawthorn Berries, Juniper, Kola, Lily of the Valley, Lime Blossom, Parsley, Stone Root, Wild Carrot, Yarrow. Emetic: Herbs that induce vomiting, most of the following herbs will induce vomiting if taken in a high dosage.Blood Root, Boneset, Elder Flowers, Ipecacuanha, Lobelia, Senega, Squill. Emmenogogue: Herbs that stimulate menstrual flow.Beth Root, Black Cohosh, Black Haw, Blessed Thistle, Blue Cososh, Chamomile, Chaste Tree, Cramp Bark, False Unicorn Root, Fenugreek, Gentian, Ginger, Golden Seal, Juniper Berry, Marigold, Motherwort, Mugwort, Parsley, Pasque Flower, Pennyroyal, Peppermint, Raspberry, Red Sage, Rosemary, Rue, Southernwood, Squaw Vine, Tansy, True Unicorn Root, Vervain, Wormwood, Yarrow. Emollient: Used to soothe, soften the skin and protect.(similar effect of Demulcents but externally).Borage, Chickweed, Coltsfoot, Comfrey, Elecampane, Fenugreek,Flax Seed, Licorice, Mallow, Marshmallow, Mullein, Plantain, Quice Seed, Slippery Elm. Expectorant: Increases and supports the removal of excess mucus from the respiratory system.Aniseed, Balm of Gilead, Balsam of Tolu, Blood Root, Coltsfoot, Comfrey, Elder Flower, Elecampane, Garlic, Golden Seal Grindelia, Hyssop, Iceland Moss, Irish Moss, Licorice, Lobelia,Lungwort, Marshmallow, Mouse Ear, Mullein, Pleurisy Root, Senega, Skunk Cabbage, Thuja, Thyme, Vervian, White Horehound, Wild Cherry. Febrifuge: (anti-pyretic) Helps to alleviate fever.Angelica, Balm, Blessed Thistle, Boneset, Borage, Cayenne, Elder Flower, Hyssop, Pennyroyal, Peppermint, Peruvian Bark, Pleurisy Root, Prickly Ash, Raspberry, Red Sage, Thyme, Vervian. Galactogogue: Helps to increase the flow of milk for breast feeding mothers.Aniseed, Blessed Thistle, Centaury, Fennels, Goats, Rue, Vervain. Hemostatic: To stop internal bleeding. Hepatic: Herbs that aid the liver, tones and strengthens and also increases the flow of bile.Agrimony, Aloe, Balm, Balmony, Barberry, Black Root, Blue Flag, Boldo, Bogbean, Cascara Sagrade, Celery, Centaury, Cleavers, Dandelion, Elecampane, Fennel, Fringetree, Fumitory, Gentian, Golden Seal, Horseradish, Hyssop, Mothewort, Mountain Grape, Prickly Ash Wahoo, Wild Indigo, Wild Yam, Worm wood, Yarrow, Yellow Dock. Hypnotic: Herbs that help with sleep.Chamomile, Californian Poppy, Hops, Jamaican Dogwood, Mistletoe, Passion Flower, Skullcap, Valerian, Wild Lettuce. Lactagogue: Increases the flow of milk. Laxative: Promotes the evacuation of the bowel.Balmony, Barberry, Buckthorn, Burdock, Cleavers, Dandelion, Flax Seed. Fringetree, Mountain Grape, Pellitory of the Wall, Rhubarb Root, Senna, Wahoo, Yellow Dock. Nervine: Plants that have a beneficial effect on the nervous system. Some act as stimulants & relaxants.Balm, Black Cohosh, Black Haw, Blue Cohosh, Bugleweed Chamomile, Cramp Bark, Ginseng, Hops, Lady’s Slipper, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Lime Blossom, Oats, Pasque Flower, Passion Flower, Peppermint, Red Clover, Rosemary, Skullcap, Valerian, Vervain, Wild Lettuce. Oxytocic: Stimulates the contraction of the uterus, can be used during and after childbirth.Beth Root, Blue Cohosh, Golden Seal, Squaw Vine. Pectoral: Herbs that have a strengthening and healing effect on the respiratory system.Angelica, Aniseed, Balm of Gilead, Blood Root, Coltsfoot, Comfrey, Elder, Elecampane, Garlic, Golden Seal, Hyssop, Irish Moss, Licorice, Lungwort, Marshmallow, Mullein, Pluerisy Root, Skunk Cabbage. Vervan, White Horehound. Purgative: Used to relieve severe constipation. Rubefacient: Used to increase blood circulation by applying on the skin, it can cause a mild irritation but blood is drawn from deep in the body to relieve internal pain.Black Mustard, Cayenne, garlic, Ginger, Horseradish, Nettles, Peppermint Oil, Rosemary Oil, Rue. Sedative: Herbs that calm the nervous system, reducing stress.Black Cososh, Black Haw, Blue Cohosh, Boldo, Bugleweed, Chamomile, Cowslip, Cramp Bark, Hops, Lobelia, Jamaican Dogwood, Lady’s Slipper, Motherwort, Pasque Flower, Passion Flower, Red Poppy, Skullcap, St Johns’ Wort, Valerian, Wild Cherry. Wild Lettuce. Sialagogue: Another herb that stimulates saliva from the salivary glands.Bleu Flag, Cayenne, Centaury, Gentian, Ginger, Prickly Ash, Senega. Soporific: Relaxes and induces sleep.(Refer to Hypnotics) Stimulant: To Excite, quicken a physiological function of the body. Angelica, Balm of Gilead, Balmony, Cardamon, Cayenne, Cinnamon, Galangal, Garlic, Gentian, Ginseng, Ground Ivy, Horseradish, Juniper, Pennyroyal, Peppermint, Prickly Ash, Rosemary, Rue, Sage, Southernwood, Tansy, White Horehound, Wormwood. Styptic: To reduce or stop external bleeding. (Refer Astringents) Thoratic: A rescue for a respiratory ailment.(See Pectoral) Tonic: Herbs that strengthens and enlivens the body or targets specific organs. Vermifuge: Expels or destroys intestinal worms. Vulnerary: Applied externally to aid cuts and wounds.Aloe, American Cranesbill, Black Willow, Arnica, Bistort, Burdock, Chickweed, Cleavers, Comfrey, Daisy, Elder, Elecampane. Fenugreek, Flax Seed, Garlic, Golden Seal, Greater Plantain, Horsetail, Hyssop, Irish Moss, Marigold, Marshmallow, Mullein, Myrrh, Shepherds Purse, Slippery Elm, St John’s Wort, Thyme, Witch Hazel, Wood Betony, Yarrow.
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