botanical terms (n)

Examples of Alterative/nutritive

Avena sativa (oat); Berberis aquifolium (Oregon grape); Chelidonium majus (greater celandine); Stillangia sylvatica (Queen’s root)

Examples of Analgesic/anodyne

Salix alba (white willow bark) — similar mechanism of action to aspirin; Viburnum opulus (crampbark) — relieves menstrual cramps; Piper methysticum (Kava kava) — relieves neuropathic pain; Cannabis sativa (marijuana) — relieves pain through cannabinoid receptors

Examples of Antimicrobial

Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) — topical antifungal; Salva officinalis (sage) — antibacterial

Examples of Antiemetic

Cannabis sativa (Marijuana); Zingiber officinalis (ginger)

Examples of Emetic

Lobelia inflata (puke weed)

Examples of Antipyretic/Febrifuge

Eupatorium perfoliatum (boneset)

Examples of Antispasmodic

Trifolium pretense (red clover); Dioscorea villosa (wild yam); Viburnum opulus (cramp bark); Atropa belladonna (Belladonna)

Examples of Antitussive

Prunus serotina (wild cherry); Asclepias tuberosa (pleurisy root); Inula helenium (elecampagne)

Examples of Astringent

Aesculus hippocastanum (horse chestnut); Alchemilla vulgaris (lady’s mantle)

Examples of Bitter

Taraxaxum officinale (dandelion); Silybum marianum (milk thistle); Gentiana lutea (gentian)

Examples of Carminative

Matricaria recutita (German chamomile); Mentha peperita (peppermint); Foeniculum vulgaris (fennel)

Examples of Cholagogue

Taraxacum officinale (dandelion); Gentiana lutea (gentian); Arctium lappa (burdock)

Examples of Demulcent

Althea officinalis (marshmallow); Quercus alba (slippery elm); Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) — usually in DGL form for this purpose

Examples of Depurative

Arctium lappa (burdock); Urtica diocica (nettles); Rumex crispus (yellow dock)

Examples of Diaphoretic

Zingiber officinalis (ginger); Angelica sinensis (dong quai)

Examples of Diuretic

Taraxacum officinale (dandelion leaves); Tilia spp (linden); Crataegus oxycantha (hawthorne)

Examples of Emmenagogue

Angelica sinensis (dong quai); Actaea racemose (black cohosh)

Examples of Emollient

Aloe vera (aloe); Plantago spp (plantain)

Examples of Expectorant

Inula helenium (elecampagne); Lobelia inflata (pukeweed)

Examples of Galactagogue

Galega officinalis (goat’s rue); Asparagus racemosus (asparagus)

Examples of Hemostatic/styptic

Achillea millefolium; Capsella bursa-pastoris (shepherd’s purse); Hamamellis virginicus (witch hazel)

Examples of Hypnotic/sedative

Valerian off. (valerian); Passiflora incarnata (passion flower); Piper methysticum (kava kava)

Examples of Laxative/cathartic/purgative

Rhamnus purshiana (cascara sagrada); Aloe vera (latex portion); Senna alexandrina (senna)

Examples of Narcotic

Papaver somniferum (opium poppy)

Examples of Nervine

Piper methysticum (kava kava); Scutellaria laterflora (skullcap); Melissa officinalis (lemon balm); Lavendula angustifolia (lavender)

Examples of Restorative

Curcuma longa (turmeric); Ocimum basilicum (basil)

Examples of Rubefacient

Capsicum spp (cayenne); Brassica niger (mustard seed); Ricinis communis (castor oil)

Examples of Stimulant

Panax ginseng (ginseng); Yerba mate; Guarana

Examples of Tonic

Astragalus; Schisandra; Matricaria recutita (German chamomile)

Examples of Vulnerary

Calendula officinalis (marigold); Plantago major (plantain); Symphytum off (comfrey)

Front

Back

Alterative

Produces gradual beneficial change, without any noticeable specific effect, often through improved nutrition.

Analgesic

Pain diminishing effect.

Anodyne

Relieves pain.

Anthelmintic

Expels or destroys intestinal helminths.

Antibiotic

Destroys or arrests the growth of bacteria or protozoa.

Antiemetic

Counteracts nausea and relieves vomiting.

Antipyretic

Prevents or reduces fever.

Antiseptic

Inhibits the growth of bacteria.

Antispasmodic

Prevents or reduces the intensity of spasticity, tremors, or muscle cramps.

Antitussive

Relieves coughing.

Aperient

Stimulates the bowels; gentle laxative.

Aphrodisiac

Increases sexual arousal.

Astringent

Contracts tissue, reducing bleeding or fluid exudate.

Balsam

Soothing or healing agent, usually made from resinous substance derived from trees.

Bitter

Stimulates the stomach, gallbladder, and appetite due to its bitter qualities.

Cardiac

Affects the heart through stimulation, tonification, or regulation.

Carminative

Expels gas from the intestines.

Cathartic

Very strong laxative effect, intended to empty the bowels.

Cholagogue

Increases the flow of bile into the intestines.

Demulcent

Soothes irritated tissue, especially mucous membranes.

Depurative

Cleanses and purifies the system, especially the blood.

Diaphoretic

Promotes perspiration.

Diuretic

Increases the output of urine.

Emetic

Induces vomiting.

Emmenagogue

Promotes menstrual flow.

Emollient

Used externally to soften and smooth; moisturizer-like effect.

Expectorant

Promotes the discharge of mucus from the lungs.

Galactagogue

Increases activity of the mammary ducts.

Hemostatic

Stops bleeding, usually the same as an astringent but not always.

Hypnotic

Promotes sleep.

Hepatic

Affects the liver.

Laxative

Promotes bowel activity.

Narcotic

Relieves pain and induces sleep when used in medicinal doses; usually has higher toxicity.

Nervine

Calming or soothing effect on the nerves.

Purgative

Strong laxative effect.

Restorative

Restores normal physiological activity.

Rubefacient

Local irritant that promotes erythema.

Sedative

Calming effect on the nervous system, usually with some reduction in alertness.

Stimulant

Enhances a physiological process.

Stomachic

Strengthens, stimulates, or tones the stomach.

Styptic

Astringent effects, specifically in regards to controlling bleeding.

Tonic

Strengthens an organ or the person's vitality in general.

Vermicide

Destroys helminths.

Vermifuge

Hastens the expulsion of helminths.

Vulnerary

Heals wounds.

Hemostatic

Stops bleeding

Febrifuge

reduces fever

antimicrobial

refers to something that kills pathogens but doesn’t specific which kind

antiviral

kills viruses

antihelminthic

kills parasites/worms

analgesic

relieves pain

Avena sativa

oat

Berberis aquifolium

Oregon grape

Chelidonium majus

greater celandine

Stillangia sylvatica

Queen’s root

Salix alba

white willow bark

Viburnum opulus

crampbark / cramp bark

Piper methysticum

Kava kava

Cannabis sativa

marijuana

Melaleuca alternifolia

tea tree

Salva officinalis

sage

Zingiber officinalis

ginger

Lobelia inflata

puke weed / pukeweed

Eupatorium perfoliatum

boneset

Trifolium pretense

red clover

Dioscorea villosa

wild yam

Atropa belladonna

Belladonna

Prunus serotina

wild cherry

Asclepias tuberosa

pleurisy root