Home » Basic Herbalism, The Actions of Herbs

Basic Herbalism, The Actions of Herbs

Posted: Wednesday, December 23, 2009

by Michael Kelly
The Herb People

I've talked in other articles about how we use herbs, but since I have focused only on the basics and different ways to use herbs, I haven't talked about how to pick different herbs to use for a specific result.

At this point it is still probably a lot better to collect herbal remedies from the Internet and to use this listing of "Actions" to mentally reverse engineer the recipes and see how they work and to make an educated guess if they actually would work. Eventually, you will be able to replace what the recipes call for by what is readily available to you, either in your cupboard or from the "side of the road".

One approach in using herbs is to categorize herbs by looking at what kind of ill can be treated by herbs, we call this the "Actions" of herbs. The understanding of actions and the way they may be used in combination is fundamental to a holistic approach.In this article I am listing different "Actions" of herbs as a step to understanding herb listings such as Herbalpedia. A listing for Arnica (Arnica Montana), for instance lists it as:

"Actions : Anti-inflammatory, vulnerary"

By knowing exactly what is meant by these terms we have a good idea that this herb makes a good compress.

Remember, the action may be due to a specific chemical or combination of chemicals present in the herb or it may be due to a complex synergistic interaction between various constituents of the herbs. It is best to view the actions as an attribute of the herb as a whole, and any understanding of its chemical basis as an aid in prescription.

Listing of the most common actions of Herbs

Alternative

Alternatives are herbs that will gradually restore the proper function of the body and increase health and vitality. They were at one time known as 'blood cleansers'.

Analgesic, Anodyne

Analgesics are herbs that reduce pain and are either applied externally or taken internally, depending on the case.

Anthelmintic

Anthelmintics will destroy / expel worms from the digestive system.

Anti-bilious

The antibilious herbs help the body to remove excess bile and can help biliary and jaundice conditions.

Anti-catarrhal

The anti-catarrhal herbs help the body remove excess catarrhal buildups in the sinuses.

Anti-emetic

The anti-emetics can reduce the feeling of nausea and help prevent vomiting.

Anti-inflammatory

The anti-inflammatory herbs help the body fight inflammations.

Anti-lithic

The anti-lithic herbs prevent the Gaul of stones or gravel in the urinary system and can help in their removal.

Anti-microbial

The anti-microbial herbs can help to destroy or resist pathogenic micro-organisms.

Anti-spasmodic

The antispasmodics can prevent or relieve spasms and cramps.

Aperient

Aperient herbs are very mild laxatives.

Aromatic

The aromatic herbs have a strong and often pleasant odor and can stimulate the digestive system.

Astringent

Astringents contract tissue and can reduce secretions and discharges.

Bitter

Herbs that taste bitter act as stimulants to the digestive system.

Cardiac Tonic

Cardiac tonics affect the heart.

Carminative

The carminatives stimulate the peristalsis of the digestive system and relax the stomach, they supporting the digestion and help prevent gas.

Cholagogue

The cholagogues stimulate the release and secretion of bile from the gall-bladder, which can benefit gall-bladder problems. They also have a laxative effect.

Demulcent

Demulcents can soothe and protect irritated or inflamed internal tissue.

Diaphoretic

Diaphoretics help the skin elimination of toxins and promote perspiration.

Diuretic

Diuretics increase the secretion and elimination of urine.

Emetic

Emetics cause vomiting. .

Emmenagogue

Emmenagogues stimulate and normalize menstrual flow.

Emollient

Emollients are applied to the skin to soften, soothe or protect it.

Expectorant

The expectorants help the body in the remove excess mucus.

Febrifuge

The febrifuges help reduce fevers.

Galactogogue

The galactogogues can help increase lactation.

Hepatic

The hepatics aid the liver. Their use increases the flow of bile from the liver.

Hypnotic

Hypnotics will induce sleep.

Laxative

The laxatives promote the elimination.

Mucilage

The mucilaginous herbs contain gelatinous constituents.

Nervine

The nervines have a beneficial effect on the nervous. Some act as stimulants, some as relaxants.

Oxytocic

The oxytocics stimulate contractions and can help in childbirth.

Pectoral

Pectorals have a general strengthening and healing effect on the respiratory system.

Rubefacient

When rubefacients are applied to the skin they cause a gentle local irritation and stimulate the dilation of the capillaries, thus increasing circulation in the skin.

Sedative

The sedatives calm the nervous system and reduce stress.

Sialagogue

The sialagogues stimulate the secretion of saliva.

Soporific

The soporifics induce sleep.

Stimulant

Stimulants quicken physiological functions of the body.

Styptic

Styptics reduce or stop external bleeding by their astringency.

Tonic

The tonic herbs strengthen either specific organs or the whole body.

Vulnerary

Vulneraries are applied externally and help the healing of wounds and cuts.

For more information on the Actions of Herbs, just Google "the XXXXX action of Herbs" (where XXXXX is the name of the action you want information on.)

Michael Kelly is an Herbalist based in Missouri's Ozarks with his wife Deborah and children Sean and Emily. Michael spend most of him time putting together an Internet Community of regular folk who just happen to believe that herbs are a good addition to proper Nutrition and Exercise in living a healthy life. Come join "The Herb People" community at http://theherbpeople.com .

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Top-level comments on this article: (5 total)

» left by Clairessa Renken
2 years 151 days ago.
13 fans.

Thanks for writing this article. It was interesting.

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» left by Lorrie Davids
2 years 151 days ago.
96 fans.

Much of this is new to me. Thanks for sharing your expertise and Welcome to SearchWarp.

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» left by Sara Patterson
2 years 151 days ago.
5 fans.

There's a lot of great information here. Thank you for putting it all in one place. ~s

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» left by Anonymous
from SF Bay Area 2 years 147 days ago.

A very practical topic, from which we all can benefit by learning more. The article would be stronger if the author were to offer more analysis and less listing of numerous herbs.

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» left by Michael Kelly 2 years 146 days ago.
9 fans. Follow Michael Kelly on twitter!

Thanks for your comment.

No herbs were listed in this article, 1 herb was mentioned as an example of usage.

This is a part of a series of articles I am writing. The group of articles should be taken as a whole, but before I get into any great depth I need to cover some basic ideas for my readers.

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» left by Jo Walker
2 years 145 days ago.
11 fans.

Great article. Very informative as to which type of herb is needed for different situations. I look forward to your future articles so that I can learn more! Thanks

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» left by Michael Kelly 2 years 145 days ago.
9 fans. Follow Michael Kelly on twitter!

Thanks

As long as you understand that most herbs have several actions, you could think of them all as side effects (yes, just like drugs and for the same reasons) we try to pick the best effect for what we are after and no the ones we don't want at the time.

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