Classifying Herbal Medicinal Properties

The remarkable aspect of herbs is their combination of several different healing properties.  Thus, each herb will have a combination of specific effects on particular systems of the body, and also some very general effects.  By carefully matching the herbal properties with the symptoms being treated, it is possible to confront the entire scope of the disease at once, achieving a cure quickly and with the minimum possible dosage.  Also, by referencing the herbal properties, it becomes easier to substitute one herb for another. 

Alteratives
Also known as blood purifiers, these agents gradually and favorably alter the condition of the body.  They are used in treating toxicity of the blood, infections, arthritis, cancer and skin eruptions. 
Some Alteratives include: Red Clover, Echinacea, Dandelion Root, Alfalfa,  Marshmallow Root, Black Walnut Bark, Burdock, Calendula, Ginseng, Licorice, Raspberry Leaf, Wheatgrass Powder, White Willow Bark, and Nettle Leaf.

Analgesics
Herbs that are taken to relieve pain. 
Some Analgesics include: Echinacea, Chamomile, Ginger, Lemongrass, Noni Fruit, Skullcap, Turmeric, White Willow Bark, and Valerian.

Antacids
Herbs that neutralize excess acids in the stomach and intestines.  Many also have demulcent properties to protect the stomach lining.
Some Antacids are Dandelion Root, Slippery Elm Bark, and Kelp.

Antiabortives
Herbs that help to inhibit abortive tendencies. The herbs will not interfere with the natural process of miscarriage when the fetus is damaged or improperly secured.  Kelp

Antiasthmatics
Herbs that relieve the symptoms of asthma.  Some, like Lobelia, are strong Antispasmodics that dilate the bronchioles.  Others, like Yerba Santa help break up the mucus.  Some herbs like Mullein may be smoked for quick relief, which may also be taken as tea.  Other Antiasthmatics include Acai Berry Juice, Ginseng, Rooibos African Red Tea, and Wild Cherry Bark.

Antibiotics
Substances that inhibit the growth of, or destroy, bacteria, viruses or amoebas.  While many herbal antibiotics have direct germ killing effects, they have as a primary action, the stimulation of the body's own immune response.  Excessive use of antibiotics will eventually destroy the beneficial bacteria of the intestines.  In fighting stubborn infections it is a good idea to maintain favorable intestinal flora by eating miso, tamari, or fresh yogurt.  Important antibiotic herbs include, Echinacea and Olive Leaf

Anticatarrhals
Herbs that eliminate or counteract the formation of mucus.  A treatment for catarrh should also include the use of herbs that aid elimination through sweat (diaphoretics), urine (diuretics), and feces (laxatives). 
Anticatarrhal herbs include: Cayenne Pepper, Ginkgo Biloba, Sage, Cinnamon, Mullein, Wild Cherry Bark, and Yerba Santa.

Antipyretics
Cooling herbs used to reduce or prevent fevers.  Cooling may refer to neutralizing harmful acids in the blood (excess heat) as well as reducing body temperature. 
Antipyretics include: Alfalfa, Skullcap, Dulse, Rosemary, White Willow Bark, and Kelp.

Antiseptics
Herbs that can be applied to the skin to prevent the growth of bacteria.  This includes the Astringents. 
Some Antiseptics include: Calendula, Astragalus, Chamomile, Hibiscus Flower, Nettle Leaf, Olive Leaf, Rosehips, Rosemary, Turmeric, White Willow Bark, Yerba Santa, and Sage.

Antispasmodics
Herbs that prevent or relax muscle spasms.  They may be applied either internally or externally for relief.  Antispasmodics are included in most herb formulas to relax the body and allow it to use its full energy for healing. 
Some Antispasmodics include: Astragalus, Cayenne Pepper, Chamomile, Eleutherococcus,  Skullcap, Hibiscus Flower, Hops, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Licorice, Mullein Leaf, Nettle Leaf, Valerian, Passionflower, Peppermint, Red Clover, Rosehips, Sage, Spearmint Leaf, Yerba Santa, and Raspberry Leaf.

Aphrodisiacs
Substances used to improve sexual potency and power.  Aphrodisiacs include:  Astragalus, Burdock, Ginseng, and Maca Root.

Astringents
Herbs that have a constricting or binding effect.  They are commonly used to check hemorrhages and secretions, and to treat swollen tonsils and hemorrhoids.  The main herbal Astringents contain tannins, which are found in most plants, especially in tree barks. 
Important Astringents include: Aloe Vera, Apple Fiber, Beet Root, Calendula, Cayenne Pepper, Cinnamon, Dandelion Root, Eyebright, Fenugreek, Hawthorn Berry, Hibiscus Flower, Mullein Leaf, Olive Leaf, Peppermint, Raspberry Leaf, Rosehips, Rosemary, Sage, St. John’s Wort, White Willow Bark, Wild Cherry Bark,  and Yucca Root.

Carminatives
Herbs and spices taken to relieve gas and griping (severe pains in the bowels). 
Examples of Carminatives include: Astragalus, Cayenne Pepper, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Cloves, Ginger, Ginseng, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Lemongrass, Peppermint, Sage, Valerian, Wild Cherry Bark, and Yerba Santa.  

Cholagogues
Substances used to promote the flow and discharge of bile into the small intestine.  These will also be laxatives, as the bile will stimulate elimination. 
Some Cholagogues are: Aloe Vera, Dandelion Root, Licorice, Red Clover, Wormwood, and Yerba mate.

Demulcents
Soothing substances, usually mucilage, taken internally to protect damaged or inflamed tissues.  Usually a Demulcent herb will be used along with diuretics to protect the kidney and urinary tract, especially when kidney stones and gravel are present. 
Important Demulcents include: Apple Fiber, Burdock, Cinnamon, Dulse, Fenugreek, Ginseng, Kelp,  Marshmallow Root Root, Milk Thistle, Mullein Leaf, Slippery Elm Bark, Licorice, and Oat Straw.

Diaphoretics
Herbs used to induce sweating. To administer Diaphoretics effectively, the stomach and bowels should be emptied by fasting and using an enema.  However, laxatives should not be used before using these herbs.  Sweating teas should be hot; when given cold, they act as diuretics. 
Some Diaphoretics include: Burdock, Calendula, Cayenne Pepper, Chamomile, Elder Berries, Ginger, Lemon Balm, Peppermint, Rosemary, and Spearmint Leaf.

Diuretics
Herbs that increase the flow of urine.  They are used to treat water retention, obesity, lymphatic swellings, nerve inflammations such as lumbago and sciatica, infections of the urinary tract, skin eruptions, and kidney stones.  Whenever a Diuretic is given, a lesser amount of Demulcent herb is also given to buffer the effect of the diuretic on the kidneys (especially when the Diuretic contains irritating properties) and to protect the tissues from the movement of kidney stones. 
Some Diuretics include: Alfalfa, Astragalus, Beet Root, Elder Berries, Hibiscus Flower, Marshmallow, Nettle Leaf, Burdock, Dandelion, Hops, Oat Straw, Red Clover, Yerba mate, and Hawthorn Berry.

Emmenagogues
Herbs that promote menstruation, usually causing it to occur earlier, and sometimes with increased flow.  These have been used in the past to induce abortions, so extreme caution is advised.  All of these, when taken in sufficient quantity to cause abortion, have other strong effects on the body.  None of these should be taken when a woman wants to be pregnant.  These are now commonly used to help regulate the menstrual cycle. 
Herbs with strong Emmenagogue properties include: Pennyroyal, Juniper Berries, and Black Cohosh.
Herbs with some emmenagogue properties include: Aloe Vera, Calendula, Chamomile, Lemon Balm, and Nettle Leaf.

Emollients
Substances that are softening, soothing, and protective to the skin. 
These include Aloe Vera, Fenugreek, Kelp, Marshmallow Root, and Slippery Elm Bark.

Expectorants
Herbs that assist in expelling mucus from the lungs and throat. 
Expectorants include: Eyebright, Fenugreek, Ginseng, Lemongrass, Licorice, Mullein, Nettle Leaf, Red Clover, Slippery Elm Bark, Wild Cherry Bark, Yucca Root, and Yerba Santa.

Galactogogues
Substances that increase the secretion of milk. 
Anise Seed, Cumin, Dandelion Root, and Fennel.

Hemostatics
Substances that arrest hemorrhaging.  These include astringents and herbs that affect the coagulation of blood. 
Cayenne Pepper, Mullein, Nettle Leaf, and Raspberry Leaf.

Laxatives
Herbs that promote bowel movements.  A strong laxative that causes increased intestinal peristalsis is called a purgative in many texts.
Some laxatives include: Aloe Vera, Black Walnut Bark, Elder Berries, Licorice, Yerba mate, and Yucca Root.

Lithotriptics
Herbs that help to dissolve and eliminate urinary and biliary stones and gravel. 
For kidney and bladder stones, use Parsley, Dandelion Root and Nettle Leaf. 
For the gallbladder, use Wild Cherry Bark and Cascara Sagrada.

Nervines
Herbs that calm nervous tension and nourish the nervous system.  
Herbs with nervine properties include: Chamomile, Hops, Passionflower, Rooibos African Red Tea, Rosemary, Skullcap, and Valerian.

Parasiticides
Herbs that destroy parasites in the digestive tract or on the skin. 
Parasiticides include: Chamomile, Cinnamon, Cloves, Black Walnut Bark, Nettle Leaf, and Wormwood.

Rubefacients
Substances that increase the flow of blood at the surface of the skin and produce redness where they are applied.  Their function is to draw inflammation and congestion from deeper areas.  They are useful for the treatment of arthritis, rheumatism, and other joint problems and for sprains. 
Rubefacients include: Cayenne Pepper, Cinnamon, Olive Leaf, and Wheatgrass Powder.

Sedatives
Herbs that strongly quiet the nervous system.  These will include antispasmodics and nervines.  Useful Sedatives include: Valerian, Hops, Chamomile, Passionflower, St. John’s Wort, Wild Cherry Bark, and Skullcap.

Sialagogues
Substances that stimulate the flow of saliva and thus aid in the digestion of starches. 
Some Sialagogues are Beet Root, Echinacea, Ginger, Licorice, Rooibos African Red Tea, and Yerba Santa.

Stimulants
Herbs that increase the energy of the body, drive the circulation, break up obstruction and warm the body. 
Stimulants include:  Bee Pollen, Cloves, Cayenne Pepper, Cinnamon, Echinacea, Eleutherococcus, Ginseng, Ginger, Ginkgo Biloba, Rosemary, Sage, Peppermint, Raspberry Leaf, Valerian, Yerba Santa,and Astragalus.

Stomachics - see Tonics

Tonics
Herbs that promote the functions of the systems of the body.  Most Tonics have general effects on the whole body, but also have a marked effect on a specific system.
Some tonic herbs include: Acai Berry Juice, Alfalfa, Apple Fiber, Burdock, Cayenne Pepper, Dandelion Root, Fenugreek, Ginseng, Hawthorn Berry, Hops, Milk Thistle, and Yerba mate.

Vulneraries
Herbs that encourage the healing of wounds by promoting cell growth and repair. 
Some Vulneraries are: Aloe Vera, Cayenne Pepper,  Calendula, Fenugreek, Ginseng, Mullein Leaf, Rosemary, Marshmallow Roott, and Slippery Elm Bark.