Please read our Glossary of Terms – Herbs below when reading information on herbs at our website or prior to purchasing herbs.
ANULTRATIVE:
Tends to restore normal health, cleanses and purifies the blood and alters existing nutritive and excretory processes gradually restoring normal body functions.
AMENORRHEA:
The absence or suppression of menstruation.
ANTI-BACTERIAL:
Destroys and/or stops the growth of bacteria.
ANTI-BIOTIC:
Inhibits the growth of and/or destroys micro-organisms.
ANTI-METIC:
Lessens and eases nausea and prevents or relieves vomiting.
ANTI-FUNGAL:
Destroys and/or prevents the growth of fungi.
ANTI-GALACTAGOGUE:
Prevents or decreases the secretion of milk.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY:
Counteracts and/or diminishes inflammation and its effects.
ANTI-OXIDANT:
Inhibits oxidation.
ANTI-SPASMODIC:
Relieves voluntary and involuntary spasm of muscles.
ANTI-VIRAL:
Inhibits a virus and/or viral strain.
APERIENT:
A mild laxative.
AROMATIC:
An herb which contains volatile essential oils which aids digestion and relieves gas.
ASTRIGENT:
Firms tissue and organs and reduces discharge and secretion.
BITTER TONIC:
A bitter herb which (in small amounts) stimulates digestion and otherwise regulates fire in the body.
CALMATIVE:
Gives a soothing and sedative action.
CARDIAC:
Heart tonic or restorative.
CARMINITIVE:
Relieves intestinal gas, pain and distention and promotes peristalsis (balance).
CHOLAGOGUE:
Promotes the flow and discharge of bile into the intestine (gall bladder).
DEMULCENT:
Soothes, protects and nurtures internal membranes.
DITOXICANT:
Removes toxins from the body.
DIAPHORITIC:
Causes perspiration and increases elimination through the skin.
DIGESTANT:
Contains substances that aid digestion (ferments acids).
DIARETIC:
Promotes activity of the kidney and bladder and increases urination.
DYSMENORRHEA:
For painful or difficult menstruation.
EMETIC:
Induces vomiting.
EMMENAGOGUE:
Helps promote and regulate menstruation.
ENURESIS:
Involuntary urination.
EXPECTORANT:
Promotes the discharge of phlegm and mucus from the lungs and throat.
FEBRIFUGE:
Reduces fever.
GALACTAGOGUE:
Promotes the secretion of milk.
HOMEOSTASIS:
Equilibrium of the internal environment.
HYPNOTIC:
A powerful nervine relative and sedative that induces sleep.
MENORRHAGIA:
Excessive bleeding during menstruation.
NARCOTIC:
Depresses the central nervous system, thus reducing pain and promoting sleep.
NERVINE:
Strengthens the function activity of the nervous system - both sedatives or stimulants.
NUTRITIVE:
Increase weight and density and nourishes the body.
PURGATIVE:
Causes watery evacuation of intestinal contents.
REFRIGERANT:
Reduces body temperature and relieves thirst.
RUBEFACIENT:
With local application, stimulates capillary dilation and action. Causes skin redness.
SEDATIVE:
Calms and tranquilizes by lowering functional activity of the organ or body part.
STIMULANT:
Increases internal heat, dispels internal chill, strengthens metabolism and circulation.
STOMACHIC:
Strengthens the stomach function.
TONIC:
Stimulates nutrition and increases the systemal tone, usually in the absence of illness.
VERMIFUGE:
Expels or repels intestinal worms.
VULNERARY:
Assists in the healing of wounds.
