Lesson Three
CLASSIFICATION OF THE THERAPEUTIC
ACTION OF BOTANICAL MEDICINES
Alteratives: Herbs which unmistakably alter morbid dis-ease processes (catabolism or degeneration) to healthy process (anabolism or regeneration).
Astringents: Herbs that contract the tissues that are relaxed and weak, imparting strength and checking hemorrhage. Astringents are sub-divided into three groups: A. mild (moderately contractive), B. styptic (powerfully contractive), C. coagulant (coagulates the blood).
Anesthetics: Herbs that allay pain.
Anaphrodsics: Herbs that allay sexual feeling.
Anodynes: Herbs that reduce the sensitivity of nerves.
Antacid: Herbs used to neutralize the acidity of the stomach and intestines.
Antiemetic: Herbs that stop vomiting.
Anthelmintics: Herbs that destroy worms.
Antiartthritics: Herbs used for the relief of gout and arthritis.
Antirheumatic: Herbs that relieves or cures rheumatism.
Antiperiodics: Herbs used for the reduction of body temperature in fevers.
Antilithic: Herbs that prevent the formation of stones in the urinary organs.
Antiseptics: Herbs that prevent putrefaction.
Antispasmodics: Herbs that relieve "fits" and "spasms".
Antiscorbutic: Herbs that cure or prevent scurvy.
Antisyphilities: Used to rid the system of syphilis.
Antizmotics: Same as germicides.
Aperients: Gently laxative without purging (mild purgatives).
Aphrodisiacs: Herbs that increase sexual power.
Aromatics: Herbs having a spicy odder and taste, used to stimulate the gastro-intestinal mucus membrane.
Astringent: Herbs that cause contraction.
Bitters: Herbs having a bitter taste. They stimulate digestion and the flow of gastric juices.
Cardiac Depressants: Herbs that lower the heart's action.
Carminatives: Herbs containing a volatile oil used to excite intestinal peristalsis and to produce an expulsion of flatus (gas).
Cathartics: Purgatives.
Chologogues: Promotes the flow of bile.
Demulcents: Mucilaginous or oily principles which are used in solution to soothe and protect irritated mucus membranes or other tissues.
Deodorants: Substances that destroy foul odors.
Detergents: Herbs which cleanse wounds, etc.
Diaphoretics: Herbs which promote perspiration.
Deobstruent: Herbs that remove obstruction.
Depurative: Herbs that purify the blood.
Digestants: Ferments and acids which aid in the solution and absorption.
Diuretics: Herbs which increase the secretion of urine.
Discutient: Herbs that dissolve and heal tumors.
Drastics: Herbs that cause much irritation.
Ecbolics: Herbs that produce abortion.
Emetics: Herbs which produce vomiting.
Emmenagogues: Herbs which stimulate menstruation.
Emollients: Herbs used to mechanically soften and protect tissues.
Eculent: Edible.
Exanthematous: Pertaining to skin eruptions and dis-eases.
Errhines: Herbs which produce nasal secretions.
Expectorants: Herbs which aid materially in the expectoration of thick, mucoid matter.
Febrifuge: Abates and reduces fevers.
Galactagogues: Herbs which increase the secretion of milk.
Hemostatics: Herbs that stop hemorrhages.
Hepatic: Pertaining to the liver.
Hydragogues: Herbs that are purgatives which cause large watery discharge.
Hypnotics: Herbs which cause sleep.
Laxatives: Herbs that promote bowel action.
Lithotriptic: Herbs that dissolve stones in the urinary organs.
Mucilaginous: Herbs which are soothing to all inflammation.
Mydriatics: Herbs which cause dilation of the pupil.
Myotics: Herbs which cause the contraction of the pupil.
Narcotics: Herbs which are powerful anodyne Hypnotics:
Nauseant: Herbs that produces vomiting.
Nervine: Herbs that act specifically on the nervous system, stops nervous excitement, tonic.
Nutrients: Herbs which promote nutrition.
Parturient: Herbs that induce and promote labor and childbirth.
Pectoral: Herbs that aid chest afflictions.
Refrigerant: Herbs that are cooling.
Resolvent: Herbs which dissolve boils, tumors and other inflammations.
Rubefacient: Herbs that increase circulation to the surface of the body, producing red skin.
Sedatives: Herbs which lower functional activity.
Sialagogues: Herbs which excite the salivary glands.
Soporifics: Herbs which cause sleep.
Specific: An herb that has a direct affect on a dis-ease, example: Stinging nettle for Diphtheria.
Stimulants: Herbs which increase functional activity.
Stomachics: Herbs which stimulate the stomach.
Sudorifics: Herbs which produce profuse perspiration.
Taenicides: Herbs which kill tape worms.
Target Herb: A target herb is a herb which is added to a herbal formula to direct or lead the other herbs in the formula to the area that needs more attention, although it helps to target an area or organ, it will in no way header the formula from working in all parts of the body. Example: adding saw palmetto to a cancer formula to treat prostrate cancer.
Tonics: Herbs which tone up the system by stimulating nutrition.
Vermicides: Herbs which kill intestinal worms.
Vermifuges: Herbs which expel intestinal worms.
Vulnerary: Healing Herbs.

Questions for lesson Three

1. What is a alterative?

2. What is a astringent?

3. What is a anodyne?

4. What is a cathartic?

5. What is a nervine?

6. What is a vulnerary?

7. What is a vermafuge?

8. What is a stimulant?

9. What is a diaphoretic?

10. What is a lithotriptic?