Herbs have different medicinal properties that are use to improve the body’s condition. I have listed some of the herbal terms used when describing the medicinal properties of the different herbs.

Herbal Terms:

• Alternatives (Blood purifiers): These herbs promote the cleaning action of spleen, liver, kidneys, and bowels and should be used for a long period of time in order to work little by little detoxify the bloodstream. Taking blood purifying herbs will improve digestion and glandular secretions. Impure blood causes infections, arthritis, skin disease, cancer, etc. Add stimulant herb, such as cayenne and ginger, to speed the action of the alternative. Examples of blood purifying hers: alfalfa, cayenne, comfrey, echinacea, goldenseal, gotu kola.
• Anodynes: Herbs that relieve pain by reducing the tension in the nerves and nerve centers. They can be used as stimulant on the surface or internally as teas and tinctures. Examples of anodynes herb: chamomile, valerian, echinacea, ginger, hops.
• Anthelmintics: Herbs that kill or expel intestinal worms and parasites. Laxatives are always used with anthelmintics. Examples of anthelmintic: Garlic, black walnut.
• Antiacids: Herbs which normalize acid conditions in the stomach, blood and bowels. Examples of antacids: comfrey leaves or root, flaxseed, raspberry.
• Antibiotics: Herbs that does not only inhibit the growth of viruses and bacteria, but it also makes the body's immune system strong. Examples of antibiotic herbs: Echinacea, garlic, taheebo or pau d' arco.
• Anticatarrhals: Herbs which eliminate mucous in the body. Examples: cayenne, comfrey, garlic, ginger, wild cherry.
• Antiemetics: Herbs which relieve sickness of the stomach and prevent vomiting. Laxative herb should also be used to clean out the bowel, greatly reducing the chance of nausea. Examples of antiemetics herbs: ginger, cloves, goldenseal, peppermint.
• Antipyretics (refrigerants): Herbs that help cool the body and reduce the fevers. Cooling herbs is best use with stimulant herbs (cayenne and ginger) to increase circulation therefore removing the toxin in the body. Examples of antipyretic herbs: alfalfa, lemons, licorice, limes, oranges, valerian.
• Antiseptics: Herbs which prevent the growth of bacteria. Examples: garlic, Echinacea, saw palmetto, goldenseal.
• Antispasmodics: Herbs which help relieve cramps, muscular spasms, and convulsions. Examples: cayenne, black cohosh, fennel, garlic, sage, peppermint, valerian.
• Aperients: Herbs which produce a mild laxative effect, softening stool without purging. Examples: figs, flaxseed, fruit, licorice root, olive oil, prunes, raisins.
• Aromatics: Herbs that have a fragrant odor and delicious taste which mask the bitter taste of some herbs. This herb stimulate the gastro-intestinal mucous membrane. It aids digestion and expels wind from the stomach. Don't use aromatic herbs if stomach is inflamed. Examples: anise seed, cloves, coriander seed, fennel, ginger, juniper berries, peppermint, rosemary, sage.

• Astringents: These herbs increases the tone and firmness of the tissues, and reduce mucous discharge from the nose, intestines, vagina, and wounds. Examples: witch hazel, cayenne, eyebright, fenugreek, mullein, raspberry, sage.
• Cardiacs: Herbs that strengthen the heart muscle. Examples: black cohosh, hawthorn berries.
• Carminatives: Herbs that contain volatile oils which stimulate expulsion of gas from the gasto-intestinal tract. Examples: Anise, coriander, cumin, fennel, thyme, peppermint, catnip, cayenne, chamomile, garlic, ginger, juniper berries, valerian.
• Cathartics or Laxatives: Herbs which produce a fast evacuation of the contents of the entire intestinal tracts and bowel. Example: aloe vera, senna.
• Cholagogues: Herbs which promote the flow of bile. Examples: beets, barberry, cayenne, goldenseal, hops, olive oil, grape root.
• Demulcents: Herbs which soften and relieve irritation of the mucous membranes (which are the walls of all inner cavities of the body). Examples: flaxseed, psyllium seed, aloe vera, comfrey root, corn silk, fenugreek, kelp, licorice root, mullein.
• Diaphoretics (Sudorifics): Herbs which increase perspiration.
• Discutients: Herbs which dissolve and remove tumors and abnormal growths. Examples: garlic, burdock root, devils claw.
• Diuretics: Herbs which increase the flow of urine. Examples: corn silk, black cohosh, dandelion, fennel, gotu kola, juniper berries, cranberry
• Emetics: Herbs which induce vomiting. Examples: lobelia, bayberry.
• Emmenagogues: Herbs which promote menstrual flow. Examples: black cohosh, goldenseal.
• Emollients: Herbs which soften and soothe, when applied externally as poultice. Examples: flaxseed, wheat germ oil, comfrey root, fenugreek, comfrey root.
• Expectorants: Herbs which help excrete mucus from the throat and lungs. Examples: garlic, comfrey, fenugreek
• Febrifuges: Herbs which reduce fevers. Examples: dandelion, peppermint,
• Galactagogues: Herbs which help secretion of milk from nursing mother. Examples: moringa, anise seed, cumin, dandelion, fennel, fenugreek.
• Hemostatics: Herbs which stop internal bleeding or hemorrhages. Examples: beet root, witch hazel.
• Hepatics: Herbs which strengthens, tone and stimulate the secretive function of the liver. Examples: aloe vera, carrot, dandelion
• Lithotriptics (Resolvents): Herbs which solve and discharge urinary and gallbladder stones. Examples: corn silk, dandelion
• Lyphatics: Herbs which stimulate and cleanse the lymphatic system. Examples: garlic, dandelion, Echinacea
• Mucilages: Herbs which soothes inflamed parts. Examples: flaxseed, comfrey root
• Nervines: Herbs which tone and regulate the nervous system. Examples: hops, peach bark, mistletoe

• Nutritives: Herbs that provide the body with substantial nutrients. Examples: alfalfa, spirulina, parsley, comfrey leaves, comfrey roots, rose hips.
• Opthalmics: Herbs which help heal and strengthen the eyes. Examples: Eyebright (first and foremost) fennel, rue.
• Oxytocics (Parturients): Herbs which promote easy childbirth. Examples: black cohosh, angelica, juniper berries, raspberry.
• Parasiticides: Herbs which kill and remove parasites from the skin. Example: black walnut, Echinacea, garlic, thyme
• Rubefacients: Herbs which are applied locally to stimulate and increase the blood flow to the surface. Examples: Cayenne, mustard seed, rosemary oil, thyme oil,
• Sedatives: Herbs which calm the nervous system. Examples: catnip, black haw, lemon balm, passionflower, valerian, witch hazel
• Sialagogues: Herbs which promote an increased flow of saliva. Examples: cayenne, licorice, Echinacea, ginger.
• Stimulants: Herbs which assist in the function of the body, thereby increasing energy. Examples: cayenne, garlic, ginseng, ginger, foti, juniper berries
• Tonics: Herbs which increase energy and strengthen the body. They increase muscular strength and tone the nervous system while improving digestion and assimilation, resulting in a general sense of well-being. Examples: goldenseal, parsley, grape root. Heart tonics: ginseng; Intestinal tonic: goldenseal; Kidney tonics: foti, parsley, saw palmetto; Liver tonics: barberry, dandelion, foti, goldenseal; Lung tonic: beetroot, comfrey, garlic; Nerve tonic: chamomile, hops, valerian. Stomach tonics: goldenseal.
• Vulneraries: Herbs which promote the healing of cuts, wounds, and burns by stimulating cellular growth. Examples: aloe vera, tea tree oil, garlic, comfrey