Herbalist Terms

Common terms and vocabulary often used in herbalism.

Energetics

A traditional way of describing how an herb tends to affect the body as a whole, usually based on its temperature, moisture, taste, and actions.

Energetics: Temperature

the inherent heat qualities that an herb possesses; Is it cooling, neutral, or warming?

Energetics: Moisture

refers to what an herb tends to do to the body’s tissues over time: does it make tissues more moist, or more dry?

Energetics: Taste

refers to the flavor profile, as well as referencing a hint to what the herb may do in the body (bitter, sweet, pungent, spicy, sour, salty, astringent)

Energetics: Actions

refers to the things an herb is believed to do (examples: anti-inflammatory, lymphatic, vulneary)

Indications

how an herb is typically used, or what it is used for (examples: cuts, scrapes, irritated skin, sore throat) (similar to “symptom”)

Adaptogen

enhances the body’s resistance and endurance, assisting in coping and adapting to adverse influences.

Alterative

supports the body’s natural detoxification and elimination pathways (liver, lymph, skin, kidneys) over time.

improves long-term metabolic or tissue health over time.

Anodyne / Analgesic

Herbs that soothe pain (anodyne) or reduce pain sensation (analgesic).

Explanation: An anodyne doesn’t necessarily attack pain directly; instead, it soothes the tissues or nervous system so that the pain subsides. An Analgesic blocks inflammatory chemicals or interferes with pain signaling. Ibuprofen or aspirin are analgesics.

Antacid

reduces stomach acidity

Anticatarrhal

reduces or clears mucus buildup

Antidepressant

supports mood, emotional balance, and resilience

Anti-emetic

reduces nausea and vomiting

Anti-inflammatory

reduces inflammation

Anti-microbial

inhibits or reduces microbes (bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites)

Anti-oxidant

protects the body against damage from free-radicals (unstable molecules that can contribute to aging and disease)

Antiseptic

prevents infection, especially on surfaces like skin or mucous membranes

Antispasmodic

relaxes muscle spasms or cramping, especially in smooth muscles (gut, uterus, airways)

Aperient

a mild laxative; gentle and doesn’t typically induce cramps

Aphrodisiac

increases sexual excitement and desire (libido)

Astringent

contracts, firms, and strengthens body tissues; can reduce excess secretions and discharge

Bitter

stimulates the normal secretion of digestive juices, benefitting digestion. Believed to counteract depression

Carminative

reduces gas, bloating, and intestinal discomfort by relaxing gut muscles and helping pass gas more easily.

Cholagogue

stimulates the release of bile from the gallbladder into the intestines, supporting digestion of fats

Counter-irritant / Revulsive

creates a gentle, controlled irritation on the skin to divert attention from deeper sources of pain or inflammation. This effect increases blood flow to the area, which can help alleviate discomfort and support healing by reducing underlying inflammation.

Demulcent

Mucilaginous herbs which relax, soothe, and protect tissue

Derivative

increases movement of fluids or lymph by drawing blood or fluids toward a specific area; often used to reduce deeper congestion or inflammation

(pulls circulation to the surface or targeted area)

Diaphoretic

promotes sweating; dilates capillaries, increasing elimination through the skin

Diuretic

increases urine output

Emmenagogue

stimulates or regulates menstrual flow

Emollient

softens, soothes, and moisturizes dry or irritated tissue

Expectorant

loosen and expel mucus from the respiratory tract

Febrifuge

reduce fever

Galactagogue

stimulate/support breast milk production

Hemostatic

stops bleeding/slow blood flow by promoting clotting or tissue contraction

Hepatic

strengthens and tones the liver, stimulating its secretory function

Hypnotic

promotes sleep and deeper states of relaxation/drowsiness

Hyoptensive

reduces elevated blood pressure

Immune Stimulant

helps stimulate immune response and deal with infections

laxative

promotes evacuation of the bowels

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

causes redness and warming of the skin by increasing blood flow; often used to ease swelling and pain in joints

Sedative

helps calm the nervous system by reducing stress and nervous irritation

Sialagogue

stimulates saliva production, aiding in digestion and dry mouth

Stimulant

increases physiological or nervous system activity; warms the body, quickens circulation, and breaks up obstructions and congestion

Stomachic

stimulative tonic to the stomach

Styptic

stops external bleeding quickly by contracting tissue and blood vessels.

Tonic

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

Vasodilator

relaxes and widens blood vessels, improving circulation and lowering blood pressure

Vulnerary

assists the body to heal wounds; used externally

Alkaloid

A basic compound containing at least one nitrogen atom. It often has a profound effect on the body.

Anxiolytic

reduces anxiety

Bract

A modified leaf or scale on a plant.

Cordial

Made by combining herbs with alcohol and equal amounts of sweetener

Emmenagogue

Supports the beginning of menstruation

Inflorescence

The complete flower head of a plant including stems, stalks, bracts, and flowers

Involucre

A botanical term referring to a whorl or rosette of bracts surrounding an inflorescence or at the base of an umbel

Marc

The solid parts in a tincture - that is, the plant matter being tinctured

Menstrumm

The liquid or substance you are extracting herbal medicine with. Example: Tinctures are a medicine using alcohol as a menstruum

Mucilage

A water soluble polysaccharide, or sugar substance, extracted as a viscous or gelatinous solution from plant roots, seeds, etc. and used in medicines. A “gooey” substance that can be extracted from certain plants like marshmallow and sassafras in water.

Rhizome

An underground horizontal stem from which both roots and shoots grow.

Rubefacient

An herbal action that reddens the skin through vasodilation

Soporific

promotes sleep

Tannin

Astringent molecules that bind to proteins

Extra: This is why they make your mouth feel dry. They bind to parts of the saliva in your mouth.

Umbel

A flower cluster in which stalks of nearly equal length spring from a common center and form a flat or curved surface.

Vulnerary

An herbal action that aids in wound healing