A B C D E F G H I L M N O P R S T U V W
/ Botanical Preparations Terminology
/ Classical Herbal Medicine Terminology
↳A B C D E F G H L M N O P R S T V
A
Adventitious Root: a root, which arises from any part of a plant other than in the normal sequence of growth of the root system.
Adventitious Shoot: a shoot arising in a position other than the axil of a leaf or at the tip of a stem.
Air Pruning: the use of bottomless containers, or containers with holes in the sides, to arrest root development.
Alien: a plant originally introduced from other areas.
Alpine: a plant, which is indigenous to the zone above the line at which trees cease to flourish and below the limits of perpetual snow (and by extension, a plant that will thrive in simulated alpine conditions).
Alternate (Leaves): borne singly at each node on opposite sides of the stem.
Annual: a plant, which grows from seed, flowers, fruits and dies within one year.
Anther: pollen-bearing part of the stamen.
Apical Dominance: of growth, the dominance of the terminal bud to the lateral buds.
Aquatic Plant: a non-woody plant suitable for growing within in shallow water or in saturated soil.
Axil: angle formed by a leaf or lateral branch with the stem, or that formed by a vein with the midrib.
Axillary: produced in the axil.
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B
Bedding Plant: a plant suitable for short-term display in an ornamental bed.
Berry: strictly a pulpy, normally several-seeded, indehiscent fruit.
Biennial: a plant, which grows from seed one year and flowers, fruits and dies the next.
Bipinnate: twice pinnate.
Bisexual: both male and female organs in the same flower.
Blade: expanded part of a leaf or petal.
Bloom: a fine powder-like, waxy deposit.
Bog Plant: a plant, which thrives in permanently wet soil.
Bole: trunk of a tree.
Bract: modified, usually reduced leaf at the base of a flower-stalk, flower- cluster or shoot.
Bud Sport: a shoot produced by a sudden and permanent change in vegetative cells in a growing point, causing a change of character.
Budded: produced by obtaining a union between a bud from one plant and a rooted portion of another (the stock).
Bulblet: a small immature bulb developed from seed, arising at the base of a parent bulb or in the axil of a leaf.
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C
Calcicole: of plants, which thrive in a soil containing free calcium compounds.
Calcifuge: of plant, which will not tolerate a soil containing free calcium com- pounds.
Callus: new tissue which forms over a wound.
Calyx: outer part of a flower, the sepals.
Cambium: the layer of actively dividing cells between bark and wood.
Capsule: dry, several-celled pod.
Catkin: normally dense spike or spike-like raceme of tiny, scalybracted flowers or fruits.
Central leader: the clearly defined single, dominant stem at the top of the tree.
Ciliate: fringed with hairs.
Cladode: flattened leaf-like stem.
Collar: the position of the main stem or stems of a plant, which coincides with the surface level of the soil.
Columnar: tall and cylindrical or tapering.
Compound: composed of two or more similar parts.
Conical: cone-shaped.
Coniferous: cone-bearing (mainly evergreen).
Container Grown: having been individually grown from propagation in a container.
Containerised: having been transferred at some stage of development (usually prior to transplanting) into a container for purposes of sale, transport or decorative effect.
Cordate: shaped like a heart.
Corolla: inner, normally conspicuous, part of a flower, the petals.
Corymb: flat-topped or dome-shaped flower head with the outer flowers opening first.
Cotyledon Stage: the stage of growth of a seedling at which seed leaves have developed above ground.
Crenate: toothed with shallow, rounded teeth, scalloped.
Crown: the base of an herbaceous perennial where stem and root meet and from which fresh shoots and roots arise.
Cyme: flat-topped or domed-shaped flower head with the inner flowers opening first.
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D
Deciduous: shedding all its leaves before the emergence of next season’s leaves.
Decumbent: reclining, the tips ascending.
Dentate: toothed with teeth directed outward.
Digitate: with the members arising from one point like fingers.
Dioecious: bearing male and female flowers on different plants.
Dichasium: fork-shaped pattern.
Dissected: divided into many narrow segments.
Division: a form of propagation by splitting clumps of a plant, or by separating the rhizomes in a clump.
Dormancy: a state of greatly reduced metabolism in which a plant or part of a plant is alive but not growing.
Dorsiventral: Flattened and having distinct upper and lower surfaces, as most leaves do.
Double (Flowers): with more than the usual number of petals, often with the style and stamens changed to petals.
Doubly Serrate: large teeth and small teeth alternating.
Downy: covered with soft hair or down.
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E
Elliptic: widest at or about the middle, narrowing equally at both ends.
Embryo: a rudimentary plant within a seed.
Entire: undivided and without teeth.
Ephemeral: a short-lived annual, capable of producing more than one generation in one season.
Epiphyte: A plant, such as a tropical orchid or a staghorn fern that grows on another plant upon which it depends for mechanical support but not for nutrients.
Evergreen: remaining green during the winter, having leaves all the year round.
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F
F1: first filial generation, the immediate offspring of cross-fertilization. A term used commercially to designate a generation FO seed or resulting plants which does not transmit all its desirable characteristics and can be obtained only by a repetition of the cross.
F2: second filial generation, arising from the intercrossing or self-fertilization of an F1 generation.
Fastigiate: with branches erect and close together.
Fertile: of stamens producing food pollen or fruit containing good seeds, or of stems with flowering organs.
Fibrous Roots: roots, which are relatively thin, much branched throughout and have ample fine growth.
Filament: stalk of a stamen.
Florets: small, individual flowers of a dense inflorescence.
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G
Glabrous: hairless.
Graft Chimera: a plant composed of tissues from two cytologically different plants.
Grafted: produced by obtaining a union between a shoot (the scion) of one plant and a rooted portion of another (the stock).
Ground Cover: a group of plants which by their natural habit of low, close growth are suitable for covering the ground surface and discouraging weeds.
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H
Half-Hardy Annual: an annual, or a plant commonly treated as an annual, which cannot be grown in the open before the warm season of the year; usually raised from seed under glass for summer display in the open.
Harden Off: gradually to accustom seedlings or other plants, which have been growing in a protected environment, to more rigorous conditions.
Hardy: able to thrive in a given climate all the year round without special protection.
Heath Plant: a heather, or plant suitable for growing in the same dry and sandy conditions as heather.
Heel: portion of older tissue at the base of a young shoot torn or cut from its parent.
Herb: a flowering plant of which the stem does not become woody and which generally dies to the ground at the end of the season.
Hermaphrodite: bisexual, hearing both male and female organs in the same flower.
High or Top Worked: grafted or budded at the point of the future crotch of standard or half standard tree.
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I
Incised: sharp and usually deeply and irregularly cut.
Indehiscent: said of fruits, which do not (burst) open.
Indigenous: having origin in a particular locality, district, county or country.
Indumentum: dense hairy covering.
Inflorescence: flowering part of the plant.
Internode: portion of stem between two nodes or joints.
Involucre: whorl of bracts surrounding a flower or flower cluster.
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L
Lanceolate: lance-shaped, widening above the base and long-tapering to the apex.
Lateral: on or at the side.
Layer: a plant produced by layering.
Leader: the main terminal shoot at the apex of a stem or principal branch.
Leaflet: part of a compound leaf.
Linear: long and narrow with nearly parallel margins.
Low Worked: grafted or budded at or near ground level.
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M
Marginal Plant: a plant capable of adapting itself to growing either in shallow water or in saturated soil.
Mature: of trees, fully developed.
Midrib: central vein or rib of a leaf.
Monoecious: bearing male and female flowers separately, but on the same plant.
Mother Bulb: a bulb, especially a Narcissus bulb, which has formed a number of offsets, all of which, however, remain attached, giving the appearance of a single bulb.
Mother Plant: the parent plant from which all subsequent stock of a particular variety, clone, cultivar or strain have been derived.
Mutant: a plant with new characteristics resulting from a heritable change (mutation) in the reproductive cells.
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N
Native: an indigenous plant.
Naturalized: having been introduced, and colonized, placed where not indigenous.
Node: point on the stem where the leaves are attached, the joint.
Notch planting: planting by setting a tree’s roots in a vertical notch, or group of notches, cut in the soil with a spade or mattock, and specified in I-notch, L- notch, H-notch planting according to the shape of the notch (es).
Nut: non-splitting, one-seeded, hard or bony fruit.
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O
Obovate: inversely ovate.
Obtuse: blunt (as in apex of leaf or petal).
Offset: a new plant formed from a short, rooted side-growth, which can be detached from its parent.
One Year Budded: having been grown for one season in a nursery plant bed after propagation.
Open Ground Grow: having been established and grown in the ground without protection and not grown in a container or frame.
Opposite (Leaves): borne two to each note, opposite each other.
Oval: broadest at the middle.
Ovary: basal ‘box’ part of the pistil, containing the ovules.
Ovate: broadest below the middle.
Ovule: female germ cell in flowering plant.
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P
Palmate: lobed or divided in hand-like fashion, usually five- or seven-lobed.
Panicle: branching raceme.
Paniculate: bearing flowers in panicles.
Pedicel: stalk of an individual flower in an inflorescence.
Peduncle: stalk of a flower cluster or of a solitary flower.
Pendulous: hanging, weeping.
Perennial: living for several years.
Perfoliate: of leaves in pairs fused at the base whose stem appears to pass through them.
Perianth: calyx and corolla together; also commonly used for a flower in which there is no distinction between corolla and calyx.
Pericarp: the wall of a ripened ovary, fruit wall.
Pernicious: persistent and having qualities harmful to other plants.
Persistent: remaining attached.
Petal: one of the separate segments of a corolla.
Petaloid: petal-like (as in a stamen).
Petiole: leaf-stalk
Pinnate: with leaflets arranged on either side of a central stalk.
Pistil: female organ of a flowering plant comprising ovary, style and stigma.
Pit Planting: planting in a prepared pit.
Plumose: feather, as the down of a thistle.
Pollard: to cut off all the branches of a tree, leaving only the trunk.
Pollen: spores or grains contained in the anther, containing the male element.
Polygamous: bearing bisexual and unisexual flowers on the same plant.
Procumbent: lying or creeping.
Propagation: the production of plants, by sexual, asexual or vegetative means.
Prostrate: lying flat on the ground.
Pubescent: covered with short, soft hairs, downy.
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R
Raceme: simple elongated inflorescence with stalked flowers.
Reniform: kidney-shaped.
Reticulate: like a network (as in veins).
Rhizome: a prostrate thickened stem emitting roots and capable of producing leafy shoots and flowering stems from lateral and terminal buds.
Rib: prominent vein in leaf.
Rogue: a plant differing from, wrongly placed, or appearing in, a batch of otherwise uniform plants.
Root Bound: having roots restricted, due to confined conditions, and unable to extend, resulting in a root mass.
Rootstock: the rooted portion of a plant or a root upon which one or more scions are to be or have been worked.
Rugose: wrinkled or rough.
Runner: trailing shoot taking root at the nodes.
Runner: a young elongated prostrate herbaceous stem producing new plant at nodes.
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S
Sagittate: shaped like an arrowhead.
Scabrous: rough to the touch.
Scale: minute leaf or bract, or a flat gland-like appendage on the surface of a leaf, flower or shoot.
Scandant: with climbing stems.
Scion: the part of a plant used to provide the shoot system when grafted upon the rootstock.
Scree Plant: a plant, which is indigenous to mountain scree or adaptable to planting on a site simulating a mountain scree and mainly composed of loose stones.
Semi-Evergreen: evergreen in its normal habitat but liable to shed some or all of its leaves under rigorous conditions.
Sepal: one of the segments of the calyx.
Serrate: saw-toothed.
Sessile: attached without a stalk.
Simple: said of a leaf that is not compound or an unbranched inflorescence.
Spathulate: spoon-shaped.
Spermatophytes: seed producing plants.
Spike: simple, elongated inflorescence with sessile flowers.
Sport: a plant propagated vegetatively from a bud sport.
Spur: a short stubby lateral branch with short internodes.
Stamen: male organ of a flowering plant comprising filament and anther.
Standard: largest, normally uppermost petal in a pea-flower; tall, lear stemmed young tree; shrub (often rose) trained in this fashion.
Stellate: star-shaped
Stem: the main body of the portion above ground of a shrub, tree or other plant.
Sterile: incapable of producing viable seed.
Stigma: summit of the pistil, which receives the pollen, often sticky or feathery.
Stipule: appendage (normally two) at the base of some petioles.
Stolon: shoot at or below the surface of the ground, which produces a new plant at its tip.
Stool: the base of a woody plant, which has been cut down to produce new shoots for propagation purposes, ornamental effect or small timber production (coppice).
Stooled: cut back to ground level annually or less frequently, but regularly.
Style: middle part of the pistil, often elongated between the ovary and stigma.
Sub-Shrub: a shrub-like plant, but with woody parts confined to the lower portion of the plant.
Succulent: juicy, flesh, soft and thickened in texture.
Sucker: a woody shoot arising from an underground stem or root; or a shoot arising from the understock of a worked plant.
Suckering: producing underground stems; also the shoots from the stock of a grafted plant.
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T
Tender: only able to grow without protection in mild climatic conditions.
Tendril: twining thread-like appendage.
Tepal: subdivision of a perianth that cannot be clearly differentiated into sepal or petal.
Tomentose: with dense, woolly pubescence.
Tray: A seed tray (or one used for plug production) of standard dimensions.
Trifoliate: three-leafed.
Trunk: the main stem of a tree.
Tuber: a short, thick, usually underground, modified stem, of one year’s duration, in which food reserves are stored, and which usually has buds (eyes) from which new plants are produced.
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U
Umbel: normally flat-topped inflorescence in which the pedicels or peduncles all arise from a common point.
Umbellate: flowers in umbels.
Undercutting: the operation of severing downward growing plant roots in situ, to control root development; usually by machine.
Understock: the rooted portion of a plant used for propagation by budding or grafting.
Union: in a worked plant, the junction of scion and rootstock.
Unisexual: of one sex.
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V
Venation: arrangement of veins.
Verrucose: having a wart-like or nodular surface.
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W
Waterside plant: a plant suitable for growing in the edge of water and tolerant of periodic flooding.
Weed: a plant growing where it is not intended to be.
Well-furnished: having even and adequate branches, spurs, leaf growth and bud formation.
Whorl: three or more flowers or leaves arranged in a ring.
Wilding: any plant occurring naturally.
Woodland Plant: a plant suitable for growing under a degree of shade and drip from trees.
Woody: composed in part of wood or hard wood-like tissue.
Worked: produced by budding or grafting.
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Botanical Preparations Terminology
Decoction: A tea made from boiling plant material, usually the bark, rhizomes, roots or other woody parts, in water. May be used therapeutically. Natural dyes are often made this way.
Infusion: A tea made by pouring water over plant material (usually dried flowers, fruit, leaves, and other parts, though fresh plant material may also be used), then allowed to steep. The water is usually boiling, but cold infusions are also an option. May be used therapeutically as hot tea, and is an excellent way to administer herbs.
Tincture: An extract of a plant made by soaking herbs in a dark place with a desired amount of either glycerin, alcohol, or vinegar for two to six weeks. The liquid is strained from the plant material and then may be used therapeutically.
Liniment: Extract of a plant added to either alcohol or vinegar and applied topically to employ the therapeutic benefits.
Poultice: A therapeutic topical application of a soft moist mass of plant material (such as bruised fresh herbs), usually wrapped in a fine woven cloth.
Essential Oils: Aromatic volatile oils extracted from the leaves, stems, flowers, and other parts of plants. Therapeutic use generally includes dilution of the highly concentrated oil.
Herbal Infused Oils: A process of extraction in which the volatile oils of a plant substance are obtained by soaking the plant in a carrier oil for approximately two weeks and then straining the oil. The resulting oil is used therapeutically and may contain the plant’s aromatic characteristic.
Percolation: A process to extract the soluble constituents of a plant with the assistance of gravity. The material is moistened and evenly packed into a tall, slightly conical vessel; the liquid (menstruum) is then poured onto the material and allowed to steep for a certain length of time. A small opening is then made in the bottom, which allows the extract to slowly flow out of the vessel. The remaining plant material (the marc) may be discarded. Many tinctures and liquid extracts are prepared this way.
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Western Herbal Medicine
A
Absorbents: herbs used to produce absorption of exudates or diseased tissues
(e.g. Black Elm, Mullein, Slippery Elm)
Alterative: herbs that gradually restore proper function to the body by increasing health and vitality. Alterative herbs are also called blood cleansers (e.g. Burdock Chickweed, Cleavers, Echinacea, Fumitory, Garlic, Golden Seal, Nettles, Plantain, Red Clover, Sarsaparilla, Sassafras, Yarrow, Yellow Dock)
Analgesic: herbs that reduce pain; some of these herbs are taken internally while others are applied topically (e.g. Catnip, Chamomile, Clove, Comfrey, Hops, Passion Flower, Peppermint, Pansy, Primrose, Saffron, Sassafras, Skullcap, St John’s Wort, Valerian, White Willow)
Anodyne: see Analgesic.
Anthelmintic: herbs that destroy or expel intestinal worms (e.g. Black Walnut, Cascara Sagrada, Cloves, Wormwood)
Anti-abortives: herbs used to counteract abortive tendencies (e.g. Cramp Bark, False Unicorn, Lobelia, Red Raspberry, Wild Yam, Witch Hazel)
Anti-catarrhal: herbs that help the body remove excess catarrhal build-up in the sinus area or other parts of the body (e.g. Cayenne, Coltsfoot, Echinacea, Eyebright, Garlic, Golden Rod, Hyssop, Marshmallow, Mullein, Peppermint, Sage, Thyme, Yarrow)
Anti-emetic: herbs that can help reduce nausea and relieve or prevent vomiting (e.g. Cayenne, Clove, Dill, Fennel, Ginger, Iceland Moss, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Meadowsweet, Peach Leaves, Peppermint, Wild Yam)
Anti-Hydropics: herbs used to eliminate excess body fluids or dropsy (e.g. Black Cohosh, Dandelion, Flaxseed, Uva Ursi, Yellow Dock)
Anti-inflammatory: herbs that help the body soothe and relieve inflammation, these work in a number of different ways, but rarely inhibit the natural inflammatory reaction as such (e.g. Borage, Calendula, Chamomile, Devil’s Claw, Fennel, Meadowsweet, St. John’s Wort)
Anti-microbial: herbs that help the body destroy or resist pathogenic microorganisms (e.g. Aniseed, Bearberry, Calendula, Cayenne, Clove, Coriander, Echinacea, Garlic, Oregano, Peppermint, Rosemary, Rue, Sage, Southernwood, Thyme, Wormwood)
Anti-pyretic: see febrifuge
Anti-rheumatic: herbs used to prevent, relieve and cure rheumatism (e.g. Cayenne, Chickweed, Juniper Berry, Tamarack)
Anti-septic: herbs that will destroy or inhibit pathogenic or putrefactive bacteria (e.g. Amaranth, Bilberry, Clove, Echinacea, Goldenseal, Iceland Moss, Lavender, Myrrh, Nasturtium, Olive, Onion, Sassafras, Tormentil, Willow, Wormwood, Yarrow)
Anti-spasmodic: herbs that relieve or prevent spasms or cramps; they alleviate muscular tension and can ease psychological tension as well (e.g. Anise, Basil, Bedstraw, Black Cohosh, Blind Nettle, Calendula, Caraway, Catnip, Chamomile, Coriander, Dill, English Daisy, English Ivy, Fennel, Garlic, Hawthorn, Hyssop, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Lily of the Valley, Lobelia, Mistletoe, Motherwort, Mullein, Oats, Onion, Oregano, Parsley, Passion Flower, Peppermint, Radish, Rosemary, Saffron, Sage, Skullcap, Spearmint, St. John’s Wort, Thyme, Valerian, Vervain, Wild Thyme, Woodruff, Wormwood, Woundwort, Yarrow)
Anti-zymotics: herbs used to destroy or arrest the action of bacterial organisms (e.g. Blackberry, Black Walnut leaves and hulls, Cloves, Garlic, Gentian, Mullein, Peppermint, Thyme)
Aperient: herbs that are very mild laxatives (e.g. Borage, Burdock, Calendula, Cucumber, Dandelion, Elder, Blackthorn, Couch Grass, Mustard)
Appetiser: Herbs that excite the appetite (e.g. Alfalfa, Angelica, Basil, Caraway, Cardamom, Cayenne, Chicory, Chive, Coriander, Dill, Ginger, Ginseng, Leek, Mustard, Nutmeg, Rhubarb, Sweet Flag, Yarrow)
Aromatics: herbs that are odoriferous, having a fragrant, pungent and spicy taste, and which stimulate the gastrointestinal mucous membranes; often used to add aroma and taste to other medicines (e.g. Basil, Chamomile, Caraway, Catnip, Cinnamon, Cloves, Dill, Lemon Thyme, Sassafras, Spearmint, Vanilla, Wild Marjoram)
Astringent: herbs that have a binding action on mucous membranes, skin, and other tissues; they contract organic tissue, reducing secretions or discharges (e.g. Agrimony, Bayberry, Bilberry, Birch, Blackberry, Black Cohosh, Blackthorn, Blind Nettle, Catnip, Comfrey, Cranes Bill, Evening Primrose, Eyebright, Golden Rod, Golden Seal, Henna, Holly, Horse Chestnut, Hyssop, Knotgrass, Kola, Lady’s Mantle, Lemon, Lettuce, Lungwort, Mallow, Meadowsweet, Motherwort, Myrrh, Nettles, Oak, Olive, Plantain, Pomegranate, Radish, Raspberry, Rhubarb, Rosemary, Sage, St. John’s Wort, Savory, Sorrel, Tormentil, Walnut, Wild Strawberry, Willow, Witch Hazel, Woundwort, Vervain, Yarrow, Yellow Dock)
Aphrodisiacs: herbs used to correct conditions of impotence and strengthen sexual desire (e.g. Black Cohosh, Ginseng, Saw Palmetto Berries, Yohimbe)
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B
Bitter: herbs that taste bitter and are characterised by a bitter principle; they act as stimulating tonics for the digestive system; the bitter taste triggers a sensory response in the central nervous system leading to a range of responses, including: stimulating appetite, stimulating the flow of digestive juices, and aiding the liver’s detoxification system (e.g. Chamomile, Cascara Sagrada, Gentian, Golden Seal, Hops, Horehound, Rue, Southernwood, Tansy, Wood Sage, Wormwood)
C
Calactophyga: herbs that reduce or stop the production of milk (e.g. Bilberry, Cassia Bark, Garden Sage, Parsley poultice)
Calefacients: herbs used as diffusive stimulants, which cause increased capillary circulation, giving an external sense of warmth (e.g. Cayenne)
Calmative: herbs that have a mild sedative or tranquillising effect (e.g. Chamomile, Dill, Jasmine, Lemon Balm, Oregano, Motherwort, Valerian)
Cardiac Stimulants: herbs used to increase and give greater power to the heart’s action (e.g. Cayenne, Hawthorn Berries, Mustard)
Carminative: herbs containing volatile oils that help release gas from the intestines; they are also known to relax the stomach, thereby supporting digestion (e.g. Allspice, Angelica, Aniseed, Basil, Betony, Buchu, Catnip, Caraway, Cardamom, Carrot, Cayenne, Celery, Chickweed, Cinnamon, Chamomile, Corian- der, Dill, Fennel, Feverfew, Garlic, Ginger, Juniper, Laurel, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Motherwort, Mustard, Myrrh, Nutmeg, Onion, Orange, Oregano, Parsley, Peppermint, Rue, Sage, Sarsaparilla, Sassafras, Savory, Spearmint, Star Anise, Sweet Flag, Thyme, Valerian, Wild Thyme, Wormwood, Yarrow)
Cholagogue: herbs that will stimulate the release and secretion of bile from the gallbladder; they also have a laxative effect (e.g. Aloe, Artichoke, Burdock, Barberry, Calendula, Chicory, Dandelion, Elecampane, Fumitory, Garlic, Gentian, Golden Seal, Lavender, Milk Thistle, Olive, Peppermint, Radish, Rosemary, Wormwood, Yarrow)
Condiments: herbs used in the seasoning and flavouring of food (e.g. Basil, Bay Leaves, Black Pepper, Cayenne, Cinnamon, Cloves, Cumin Seeds, Curry, Dill, Garlic, Horseradish, Mustard Seed, Onion, Oregano, Paprika, Parsley, Peppermint, Rosemary, Thyme, Tumeric, Vanilla)
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D
Demulcent: herbs that soothe and protect irritated or inflamed internal tissue, particularly mucous membranes (e.g. Chickweed, Coltsfoot, Comfrey, Fenugreek, Liquorice, Marshmallow, Mullein, Oats, Pumpkin, White Pine)
Deodorant: herbs that eliminate foul odours (e.g. Blackberry, Activated Charcoal, Chlorophyll, Echinacea, Thymol, Sage)
Diaphoretic: herbs that promote perspiration and aid the skin in the elimination of toxins (e.g. Arnica, Bayberry, Bayberry, Birch, Blackthorn, Blue Cohosh, Buchu, Burdock, Calendula, Catnip, Cayenne, Chamomile, Columbine, Dill, Elder, Fennel, Garden Violet, Garlic, Ginger, Goat’s Rue, Golden Rod, Greater Celandine, Heartsease, Horehound, Hyssop, Lemon Balm, Lobelia, Meadowsweet, Oregano, Passion Flower, Peppermint, Sarsaparilla, Sassafras, Sweet Flag, Thyme, Willow, Woodruff, Wormwood, Yarrow)
Digestive: herbs that promote or aid the digestive process (e.g. Anise, Cayenne, Chicory, Chives, Echinacea, English Daisy, Fennel, Garlic, Laurel, Mugwort, Mustard, Papaya)
Discutients: herbs that dispel or dissolve abnormal growths and tumours (e.g. Arnica, Bladderwrack, Blue Violet, Burdock Root, Chickweed, Garlic, Golden Seal, Plantain, Red Cover, Sarsaparilla, Slippery Elm, St. John’s Wort, Witch Hazel, Wormwood, Yellow Dock)
Diuretic: herbs that increase the secretion and elimination of urine (e.g. Alfalfa, Agrimony, Angelica, Arnica, Artichoke, Bean, Bearberry, Bedstraw, Betony, Birch, Black Cohosh, Blackthorn, Blue Cohosh, Boldo, Burdock, Carrot, Cel- ery, Chervil, Chickweed, Chicory, Columbine, Cucumber, Dandelion, Dill, Elder, Elecampane, Fennel, Fever Root, Garlic, Golden Rod, Golden Seal, Greater Celandine, Hops, Horehound, Horseradish, Horsetail, Juniper Berry, Kola, Lavender, Leek, Licorice, Lily of the Valley, Lobelia, Marshmallow, Meadowsweet, Mistletoe, Mullein, Nettles, Onion, Parsley, Peach, Plantain, Red Clover, Savory, Saw Palmetto, Senna, Shepherd’s Purse, Skullcap, Slippery Elm, Soapwort, Sorrel, Spearmint, Speedwell, Tarragon, Vervain, Watercress, Wild Strawberry, Willow, Woodruff, Wood Sorrel, Woundwort, Yarrow)
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E
Emmenagogue: herbs that stimulate and normalize menstrual flow; the term is also widely used to refer to remedies that act as tonics for the femal reproductive system (e.g. Black Cohosh, Blue Cohosh, Calendula, Chamomile, Fenu- greek, Ginger, Motherwort, Mugwort, Parsley, Red Raspberry, Rosemary, Rue, Sage, Southernwood, Tansy, Tarragon, Vervain, Wild Yam, Wormwood, Yarrow)
Emollient: herbs that soften, soothe and protect the skin when applied externally (e.g. Almond, Aloe, Arnica, Borage, Coltsfoot, Comfrey, Couch Grass, Elecampane, Fenugreek, Flax, Hollyhock, Licorice, Lungwort, Mallow, Marshmallow, Mullein, Oats and Oatmeal, Olive, Slippery Elm)
Expectorant: herbs used to expel excess mucous from the lungs and the respiratory passages (e.g. American Ivy, Angelica, Aniseed, Arnica, Betony, Black Cohosh, Blind Nettle, Caraway, Comfrey, Elder, Elecampane, English Daisy, Fennel, Fenugreek, Garden Violet, Garlic, Golden Seal, Heartsease, Holly, Horehound, Horse Chestnut, Hyssop, Irish Moss, Licorice, Lobelia, Maidenhair, Mallow, Marshmallow, Mullein, Nasturtium, Onion, Oregano, Parsley, Peach,Plantain, Red Clover, Saffron, Savory, Saw Palmetto, Soapwort, Speedwell, St. John’s Wort, Thyme, Vervain, Watercress, Wild Thyme)
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F
Febrifuge: herbs used to bring down fevers (e.g. Angelica, Borage, Buck Bean, Cayenne, Cherry Bark, Elder Flowers, Garlic, Gentian, Holly, Hops, Hyssop, Lady’s Mantle, Lemon Balm, Olive, Peppermint, Quassia, Sage, Southernwood, Sweet Flag, Thyme, Valerian, Vervain, Willow, Wormwood)
G
Galactagogue: herbs that encourage the production of milk during lactation (e.g. Aniseed, Basil, Blessed Thistle, Dill, Fennel, Fenugreek, Milk Thistle, Nettles, Red Raspberry, Vervain)
H
Haemostatic: herbs that stop internal bleeding or haemorrhaging (e.g. Black Berry, Black Cohosh, Black Pepper, Mullein, Nettles, Onion, Turkey Rhubarb, Watercress, White Oak, Yellow Dock)
Hepatic: herbs that aid the liver by toning and strengthening it (e.g. Aloe, Blessed Thistle, Celery, Cleavers, Dandelion, Fennel, Horseradish, Hyssop, Lemon Balm, Motherwort, Wild Yam, Wormwood, Yarrow, Yellow Dock)
Hypnotic: herbs that relax, sedate and induce sleep (e.g. Boldo Leaves, Passion, Flower, Valerian)
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L
Laxative: herbs that stimulate bowel function (e.g. Burdock, Chickweed, Cleavers, Dandelion, Rhubarb Root, Senna, Yellow Dock)
N
Nephritics: herbs that are healing to the kidneys (e.g. Aloe, Black Cohosh, Blessed Thistle, Chamomile, Cayenne, Dandelion, Fennel, Golden Seal, Lobelia, Parsley, Uva Ursi, White Oak, Yarrow)
Nervine: herbs that help the nervous system by strengthening, relaxing or stimulating it (e.g. Chamomile, Catnip, Damiana, Foxglove, Peppermint)
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O
Ophthalmics: herbs that are beneficial for disorders and diseases of the eyes (e.g. Angelica, Chamomile, Cayenne, Chickweed, Hyssop, Mullein, Plantain, White Willow, Wintergreen, Witch Hazel, Yellow Dock)
P
Parasticides: herbs that destroy parasites in the body (e.g. Blackberry, Black Walnut Hulls, Cinnamon Oil, cloves, Garlic, Gentian, Mullein, Wormwood, Yellow Dock)
Parturients: herbs that stimulate uterine contractions in order to induce labor (e.g. Black Cohosh, Blue Cohosh, Cedar Berries, Cinnamon Bark, Lobelia, Red Raspberry, Squaw Vine, Uva Ursi)
Pectoral: herbs that have a strengthening and healing effect on the respiratory system (e.g. Alfalfa, Almond, Angelica, Aniseed, Borage, Coltsfoot, Comfrey, Elder Berries and Flowers, Elecampane, Fennel, Garlic, Golden Seal,Horehound, Hyssop, Iceland Moss, Irish Moss, Licorice, Lungwort, Marshmallow, Mullein, Vervain)
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R
Rubefacient: herbs whose properties produce a gentle local irritant that reddens the skin, thus increasing local circulation; by drawing blood from deeper tissues and organs they relieve congestion and inflammation (e.g. Black Pepper, Cayenne, Garlic, Ginger, Horseradish, Nettles, Rue, Stinging Nettle, Wild Marjoram)
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S
Sedative: herbs that soothe the nervous system, reducing stress and nervousness throughout the body (e.g. Birch, Black Cohosh, Blue Cohosh, Boldo, Catnip, Chamomile, Cowslip, Fox Glove, Hawthorn, Hops, Hyssop, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Lettuce, Lobelia, Motherwort, Passion Flower, Peach, Red Clover, Saf- fron, Saw Palmetto, Skullcap, St. John’s Wort, Sweet Flag, Thyme, Valerian, Witch Hazel)
Sialagogue: herbs that stimulate the secretion of saliva from the salivary glands
(e.g. Cayenne, Echinacea, Ginger, Lemon, Prickly Ash)
Stimulant: herbs that increase the activity of the physiological functions of the body (e.g. Black Pepper, Caraway, Cardamom, Cayenne, Chervil, Cinnamon, Dill, Echinacea, Fennel, Garlic, Horehound, Horseradish, Peppermint, Rosemary, Rue, Sage, Southernwood, Tansy, Wormwood, Yarrow, Yohimbe Bark)
Stomachic: herbs that strengthen, stimulate or tone the stomach (e.g. Agri- mony, Aloe, Angelica, Anise, Balm, Basil, Laurel, Chamomile, Caraway, Cardamom, Coriander, Dandelion, Dill, Fennel, Ginseng, Horseradish, Hyssop, Juniper, Lavender, Mint, Motherwort, Onion, Oregano, Papaya, Peppermint, Plum, Rosemary, Rue, Savory, Southernwood, Star Anise, Sweet Flag, Tarragon, Valerian, Watercress, Wormwood)
Sudorific: see diaphoretic
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T
Tonic: herbs that strengthen or invigorate organs or the entire organism (e.g. Agrimony, Borage, Buchu, Calendula, Cayenne, Chamomile, Comfrey, Dandelion, Echinacea, Fenugreek, Golden Seal, Hyssop, Lemon Balm, Licorice, Mugwort, Nettles, Oats, Passion Flower, Parsley, Red Clover, Skullcap, Thyme, Vervain, Wild Yam, Wormwood, Yarrow, Yellow Dock)
V
Vulnerary: herbs that are applied externally to aid in the healing of wounds and cuts (e.g. Aloe, Calendula, Chickweed, Cleavers, Comfrey, Fenugreek, Garlic, Golden Seal, Hyssop, Marshmallow, Mullein, Slippery Elm, St. John’s Wort, Thyme, Yarrow)