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Herbal Glossary
If you've come across various terms when researching herbal remedies and don't quite
know what each one means, this introductory glossary should help. Note that we
can't begin to cover every single term you might come across, but these should
be the primary ones.
Analgesic Herbs are those taken by mouth for relieving or eliminating
pain. Example: White Willow.
Antibiotic Herbs are natural herbs used to fight infections. These
herbs work very well to either kill or stop the growth of harmful bacteria,
germs, and other organisms within your body. Example: Garlic, Goldenseal.
Anti-inflammatory herbs are used to reduce or relieve inflammation.
Example: White Willow.
Antiseptic Herbs are used for cleansing and sterilizing. These herbs
can prevent, fight, or neutralize harmful bacteria. Example: Garlic, Thyme.
Astringent Herbs are used to shrink tissue in your body and reduce or stop
discharge. Example: Black Walnut, White Oak.
Calmative Herbs are used to soothe and calm the nervous system.
Cardiac Herbs are used to make the heart stronger. Example: Myrrh, Saw
Palmetto.
Cell Proliferant Herbs are those which promote fast tissue
regeneration, growth, and healing. Example: Comfrey, Aloe Vera.
Digestant Herbs contain enzymes and other properties which help with
food digestion. Example: Papaya, Garlic.
Diuretic Herbs are used to increase the amount of urine you pass, and
reduce water retention in the body. Example: Kelp, Chaparral.
Emetic Herbs are those used to cause a person to vomit. Example:
Lobelia in large doses.
Expectorant Herbs are used to force mucus to be expelled from the lungs
and respiratory system.
Hemostatis Herbs are used to stop bleeding. Example: Cayenne/Capsicum.
Hepatic Herbs are used for toning, cleansing and strengthening the
liver. Example: Dandelion.
Hormonal Herbs contain hormones or hormonal properties, and help the
body with hormone imbalances. Example: Black Cohosh, Blessed Thistle.
Laxative Herbs are usually used as mild laxatives to make your bowels
move. These herbs work by stimulating bile and secretions instead of being
irritants to the bowel. Example: Safflowers/Saffron, Cascara Sagrada.
Nutritive Herbs are those that promote growth and provide nourishment.
Example: Slippery Elm.
Purgative herbs are used to cause the bowels to purge quickly. These
are often used in combinations with other herbs to help control the severity
of the purging. Do not take purgative herbs while pregnant. Example:
Buckthorn.
Relaxant and Sedative herbs are used to soothe and quiet as well as
helping to calm excitement, irritation or pain. Example: Saw Palmetto.
Stimulant herbs usually create energy, or help increase activities of
the body and its organs. Example: Cayenne.
Tonic herbs are used to stimulate, tone and energize the body. Example:
Sage.
Herbal Remedies for Pain
- Another type of herbal remedy that should always be in your medicine cabinet,
is one that helps relieve pain. The best herb for this, of course, is White
Willow...
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