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Carminative—Rich in aromatic volatile oils having a sweet, spicy or fragrant aroma which can lend a pleasant flavor to other herbs, excite peristalsis, promote the expulsion of gas, and soothe the stomach, supporting healthy digestion.

Cholagogue—Promotes the discharge and flow of bile from the gallbladder (gogue = to flow).

Counter-irritant (revulsive)—Induces local irritation of skin, drawing blood and other materials to the surface from deeper tissues, relieving congestion and inflammation.

Demulcent—Mucilaginous herbs which relax, soothe, and protect tissue.

Derivative—Draws blood and other fluids from one part of the body to relieve congestion in another.

Diaphoretic—Induces increased perspiration, dilates capillaries, increasing elimination through the skin.

Diuretic—Increases the flow of urine.

Emmenagogue—Increases menstrual flow.

Emollient—Applied to the skin to soften, soothe, and protect.

Expectorant—Supports the respiratory system by assisting it to remove excess mucus.

Febrifuge—Assists the body to reduce fever.

Galactagogue—Increases the flow of mother’s milk.

Hemostatic—Arrests bleeding.

Hepatic—Strengthens and tones the liver, stimulating its secretory function.

Hypnotic—Has a powerful relaxant and sedative action and helps to induce sleep.

Hypotensive—Reduces elevated blood pressure.

Immune stimulant—Helps stimulate immune response and deal with infections.

Laxative—Promotes evacuation of the bowels.

Lymphatic—Support the health and activity of the lymphatic system.

Nervine—Affects the nervous system; having either a relaxing, stimulating, and/or tonic effect, depending on the herb used.

Refrigerant—Cooling agents which lower body temperature and relieve thirst.

Rubefacient—Generates a localized increase in blood flow when applied to the skin. Often used to warm the skin and ease the pain and swelling of joints.

Sedative—Calms the nervous system by reducing stress and nervous irritation throughout the body.

Sialagogue—Promotes the flow of saliva.

Stimulant—Warms the body, quickens circulation, and breaks up obstructions and congestion.

Stomachic—Stimulative tonic to the stomach.

Styptic—Reduces or stops external bleeding by astringent action.

Tonic—Stimulates nutrition by improving assimilation which improves systemic tone, giving increased vigor and strength to the tissues of body organs.

Vasodilator—Expands blood vessels, allowing increased circulation.

Vulnerary—Assists the body to heal wounds. This action is used externally.

It is most useful to recognize and understand the terms that describe herbal actions. These simple concepts constitute a major portion of the vocabulary of herbal knowledge.

ACTIONS AND INDICATIONS FOR THE CSHS LIST OF 30 HERBS

Blackberry (Bramble) is astringent, especially for the gastrointestinal tract. It allays excessive fluid loss from diarrhea, and when medical intervention is not available may save lives. Hemostatic—it stops bleeding of the gastrointestinal tract.

Black Cohosh (an at-risk plant, seek organically cultivated or employ substitutes when possible) is antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic and is most useful for its ability to reduce dull aching pain just about anywhere in the body. Along with this generalized effect, Black Cohosh has a specific affinity for the reproductive organs. It relieves the aching pains in the reproductive tract of males, but is most often used as a regulator of female imbalances. As an emmenagogue, it is used for relief of painful menstruation, but is also very effective for relieving suppressed menstruation. This, along with the fact that its effects are often long-lasting, suggests that it has a generalized tonic effect on the uterus and most likely on the male reproductive organs as well. This plant is widely used for the treatment of rheumatism and neuralgia and all cases characterized by that kind of pain known as rheumatic, dull, tensive, and intermittent. Black Cohosh is nervine, hypotensive, having a powerful influence over the nervous system as it appears to have a sedating