A Glossary Of Herbal Terms

I am offering this glossary of herbal terms in case you find some terms describing herbs or herbal remedies which are unfamiliar to you. I try to write in plain English, so you may not need this herb glossary to understand this website. But if you find anything here, or elsewhere on this website that you don't understand, use the Ask A Question button in the upper left of each page to send me your question, and I will do my best to give you an answer. You can also ask me a question if you came upon some information elsewhere that you're not sure about.

ADAPTOGEN: increases the body's ability to adapt to environmental and internal stress.

ALTERATIVE: having a gradual, not immediately noticeable, effect on the body; see also: NEUTRAL.

ANALGESIC: relieves pain.

ANTIBIOTIC: kills microorganisms.

ANTIOXIDANT: prevents or delays oxidation or deterioration.

ANTIPYRETIC: prevents or reduces fevers.

ANTISEPTIC: opposes the growth of, or causes the death of, microorganisms.

ANTISPASMODIC: reduces involuntary muscular contractions.

APERIENT: gently relieves constipation.

APPETIZER: stimulates hunger.

AROMATIC: having a strong, volatile, fragrant odor.

ASTRINGENT: dries, tightens or shrinks tissue, stops discharges.

CALMATIVE: mildly relaxes.

CARMINATIVE: reduces flatulence (intestinal gas).

CATHARTIC: relieves constipation by stimulating intestines; strongly evacuates colon.

CHOLAGOGUE: promotes the discharge of bile (a liver secretion which helps to digest fats) or increases the flow of bile into the intestines.

COAGULANT: helps the blood to clot.

CORROBORANT: invigorates or tonifies.

DEMULCENT: soothes irritated tissues, especially mucous membranes.

DEOBSTRUENT: clears natural ducts in the body.

DEPURANT: purifying agent, cleanses and purifies, especially the blood.

DETERGENT: cleanses wounds or sores.

DIAPHORETIC: causes or increases sweating.

DIGESTIVE: promotes or aids digestion.

DIURETIC: increases urination.

EMETIC: causes vomiting.

EMMENAGOGUE: promotes menstruation.

EMOLLIENT: softens and soothes, usually externally.

EXPECTORANT: loosens and discharges phlegm.

FEBRIFUGE: eases or relieves fever.

GALACTAGOGUE: promotes the secretion of milk.

HEMOSTATIC: stops bleeding.

LAXATIVE: stimulates and quickens peristalsis (the involuntary muscular contractions of the digestive tract, these contractions move food and waste products through the digestive system), or moistens the colon, to relieve constipation.

NERVINE: tonic to the nervous system, relaxes the body, or part of the body, affecting the nerves.

NEUTRAL: gradually strengthens and tones; sometimes used to balance stronger herbs.

PECTORAL: tonic to the lungs or chest.

PURGATIVE: strongly cathartic, produces vigorous emptying of the colon.

REFRIGERANT: cools, especially the blood and reduces fevers.

RESTORATIVE: restores consciousness or normal physiological functioning.

RUBEFACIENT: reddens, increases the blood flow to area applied.

SEDATIVE: calms or relaxes the nervous system, reduces nervousness, distress, or irritation.

SOPORIFIC: produces sleep.

SPECIFIC: having a distinct influence on.

STIMULANT: temporarily increases physical or mental activity, excites or quickens physiological processes.

STOMACHIC: strengthens, stimulates, or tonifies the stomach.

SUDORIFIC: causes massive sweating.

TONIC: invigorates and strengthens.

VERMICIDE, VERMIFUGE: kills or expels parasites, especially worms.

VULNERARY: helps heal wounds and sores, usually applied externally.