Day 80: Herbal Actions

Herbal Actions

There are approximately 120 different actions identified over the ages. However, only 40 of these actions are commonly considered.

Tonic
This is first in the list because it makes perhaps the most important contribution herbal medicine can make in the process of natural healing. Tonic herbs stimulate nutrition by improving the assimilation of essential nutrients by the organs, improve systemic tone and give increased vigor, energy, and strength to the tissues of either specific organs or to the whole body. The list of tonic herbs is long. To name a few: oats, hawthorn, nettles, garlic, goldenseal, calendula, dandelion, Ashwagandha, Ginseng, Oregon Grape, Vervain, Raspberry, Sarsaparilla.

Adaptogen
This is a timely new action concept that is unique to herbal therapeutics. Adaptogenic or hormonal modulating actions increase the body’s resistance and endurance to a wide variety of adverse influences from physical, chemical and biological stress, assisting the body’s ability to cope and adapt. Adaptogens are non-toxic and possess normalizing actions. For example adaptogens tend to normalize high or low blood pressure, under active and over active adrenal glands and possibly other endocrine glands, and high or low blood sugar. This adaptogen action appears to work through hormonal regulation of the stress response which in turn has a modulating effect on human immunity. Siberian Ginseng, Chinese & American Ginseng, Schizandra, Ashwagandha, Licorice, Stinging Nettle, Suma and Astragulus.

Alterative
Herbs that have this property gradually restore health and vitality to the body. They have been referred to as blood cleansers. They help the body assimilate nutrients, eliminate metabolic wastes and restore proper function. Alterative herbs are used to help treat infection, blood toxicity, skin eruptions, impotence and chronic degenerative conditions: Burdock, Red Clover, Nettle, Cleavers, Oregon Grape are merely a few of the commonly used alterative herbs. Nature is generous with these health builders.

Analgesic, Anodyne
These herbs relieve pain when administered orally or externally, but they are not narcotic: Scullcap, Valerian, Passion flower.

Antacid
These herbs neutralize excess acid in the stomach and intestinal tract: Fennel, Catnip, Dandelion, Slippery Elm, Mullein, Meadowsweet (clears symptoms of hyperacidity).

Anthelmintic
These herbs destroy or expel worms from the digestive tract: Garlic, Onion, Wormwood, Rue, Thyme

Antibilious
These herbs help remove excess bile from the system and help relieve biliary conditions or jaundice in the body: Centaury, Balmony, Barberry, Dandelion, Goldenseal, Yarrow, Turmeric.

Anticatarrhal
These herbs eliminate or counteract the build-up of excess mucus and catarrhal buildup from sinus or other upper respiratory parts: Eyebright, Echinacea, Garlic, Cayenne, Sage, Hyssop, Goldenrod, Yarrow, Yerba Santa

Anti-emetic
These herbs lessen nausea and help relieve or prevent vomiting: Balm, Peppermint, Ginger, Fennel, Dill, Gentian, Meadowsweet.

Anti-inflammatory
Moderate inflammation is the body’s appropriate reaction to infection, injury or irritation, resulting in enhanced tissue repair and containment of invaders. One does not always want to lessen this inflammation, but often finds it more efficacious to stimulate it by using rubifacients or systemic vasodilators. (See rubifacient and vasodilator actions below). One uses anti-inflammatory action to combat extensive or too painful occurrence of inflammation. Anti-inflammatory herbs include those having demulcent, emollient and vulnerary actions when applied externally: St. Johns Wort [NB: DO NOT TAKE THIS IF YOU ARE BLOOD TYPE O or do not know your blood type – Editor SBW’s note], Calendula, Arnica, Licorice, Chamomile, Wild Yam.

Antilithic
These herbs help prevent or dissolve and discharge urinary and biliary stones and gravel. For urinary system kidney and bladder stones: Gravel Root, Hydrangea, Dandelion, Cleavers, Buchu, Goldenrod, Corn Silk, Uva Ursi. For gallbladder: Oregon Grape, Chaparral.

Anti-microbial
These herbs help the body’s immune system destroy or resist pathogenic micro-organisms: the green, unripe Black Walnut hulls, Echinacea, Chaparral, Garlic, Goldenseal, Wormwood, and herbs high in volatile oils such as Anise, Caraway, Clove, Eucalyptus, Myrrh, Peppermint, Rosemary, Thyme.

Aphrodisiac
These herbs help correct conditions of impotence mostly by strengthening sexual excitement and desire. They tend more to stimulate sexual arousal than to improve performance. The combined use of alteratives helps restore proper function: Damiana, Saw Palmetto, Ginseng, Sarsaparilla, Yohimbe.

Aromatic
These herbs have a salient, usually pleasant odor, which stimulates the gastro-intestinal system (see carminative action) and are frequently used to improve the aroma and taste of medicines and foods: Lavender, Peppermint, Angelica, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Dill, Citrus Peel

Astringent
This action promotes greater density and firmness of tissue by precipitating protein and condensing the cellular structure of the tissue, contracting and firming relaxed weakened tissue such as piles and prolapsed organs. Astringency can reduce excessive discharge of fluids like diarrhea in the intestines; blood haemorrhaging from the lungs and kidneys or excessive perspiration from the skin. These herbs include: White Oak, Pipsissewa, Horsechestnut, Partridgeberry, Witch Hazel.

Bitter
These herbs stimulate the sectretion of digestive juices benefiting the digestive process. They stimulate the activity of the liver and pancreas, aiding the elimination of toxins: Gentian, Hops, Artichoke, Mugwort, Dandelion.

Carminative
This action excites intestinal peristalsis, promotes the expulsion of gas, soothes the stomach promoting digestion and relieves gripping (severe cramping pain) in the gastro-intestinal tract. These herbs are rich in aromatic volatile oils: Anise, Fennel, Chamomile, Peppermint, Caraway, Ginger.

Cholagogue
This action excites the discharge and flow of bile from the gall-bladder into the small intestine. This is beneficial in treating gall-bladder problems. Bile helps disinfect the bowels and can have a laxative effect, as bile naturally stimulates peristalsis elimination. Cholagogues include: Barberry, Goldenseal, Dandelion, Oregon Grape, Wild Yam.

Demulcent
This action relaxes and soothes the tissue of the digestive tract upon direct contact, and triggers reflex mechanisms that travel through the spinal nerves effectively reducing inflammation and irritation in the respiratory and urinary systems. These herbs are mucilaginous, gelatinous, soothing and protective: Comfrey, Marshmallow, Slippery Elm, Mullein, Corn Silk.

Diaphoretic
Fever is a very appropriate defense response of the body for dealing with infection. Contrary to accepted medical technique, stimulating a fever is often highly beneficial. This acts to increase sweat bringing the heat and inflammation outward to the surface of the skin, cooling the skin by evaporation of the sweat and concurrently facilitating the excretion of waste matter. These herbs induce increased perspiration, dilate capillaries and increase elimination through the skin: Elder, Yarrow, Ginger, Peppermint.

Diuretic
These herbs increase the elimination and regulate the flow of urine. For best results, drink lots of pure water while using diuretics: Dandelion, Couchgrass, Uva Ursi, Plantain, Horsetail.

Emetic
Emetics cause vomiting, helping the stomach empty. To produce this effect, these herbs usually need to be taken in large doses: Lobelia, Ipecac, Boneset.

Emollient
Applied to the skin, these emollients soothe, soften and protect externally much like demulcents do internally: Comfrey, Chickweed, Plantain, Slippery Elm, Marshmallow

Expectorant
These herbs support the respiratory system in removing excess mucus. Stimulating expectorant – These herbs stimulate the nerves and muscles of the respiratory system to manifest a coughing syndrome, causing expectoration by encouraging the loosening and expulsion of mucus: Elecampane, White Horehound.
Relaxing expectorant – These herbs reduce tension in lung tissue, often easing tightness, allowing natural coughing and flow of mucus to occur: Coltsfoot (excellent for children), Gumweed, Licorice, Hyssop.
Amphoteric expectorant – These herbs can stimulate or relax the respiratory system, using the body’s wisdom to determine which is necessary: Lobelia, Mullein, Horehound, Coltsfoot, Elder, Garlic.

Febrifuge
These herbs assist the body to reduce fevers: Angelica, Catnip, Elder Blossom, Peppermint.

Hemostatic
These herbs are internal astringents that arrest haemorrhaging: Bayberry, Blackberry, Cayenne, Shepherd’s Purse, Goldenseal.

Hepatic
These herbs strengthen and tone the liver, stimulating its secretive function, and causing an increase in the flow of bile: Oregon Grape Root, Agrimony, Dandelion, Goldenseal, Wild Yam.

Hypnotic
These herbs have a powerful relaxant and sedative action and help to induce sleep: Hops, Valerian, Wild Lettuce.

Hypotensive
These herbs reduce elevated blood pressure: Crampbark, Onion, Garlic, Yarrow, Hawthorn berries and flowers.

Laxative & Aperient
Laxative herbs stimulate bowel action, promoting evacuation: Cascara Sagrada, Yellow Dock.
Aperient herbs have a very mild laxative action: Dandelion root, Boneset, Beet root.

Lymphatic
These herbs support the health and activity of the lymphatic system: Cleavers, Calendula, Echinacea.

Nervine
These herbs affect the nervous system, having either a tonic (Oats, Damiana), relaxing (Chamomile, Hops) or stimulating (Coffee, Yerba Mate) effect.

Pectoral
These herbs have a general strengthening and healing effect on the entire respiratory system: Elecampane, Coltsfoot, Comfrey, Mullein, Yerba Santa, Anemopsis.

Rubefacient
When applied locally to the skin, rubefacients cause gentle irritation, promoting capillary dilation and increased circulation in the skin, drawing blood from deeper areas of the body. Drawing blood from deeper areas of the body relieves inflammation and congestion in these parts, often reducing pain. These herbs are useful for treating acute sprains, chronic arthritis, rheumatism and other joint afflictions: Stinging Nettle, Mustard seed, Cayenne, Horseradish.

Sedative
These herbs calm the nervous system by lowering the functional activity of an organ, or by reducing stress and nervous irritation throughout the body: Valerian, Scullcap, Passion Flower, Black Cohosh.

Sialogogue
These herbs promote the secretion and flow of saliva from the salivary glands: Echinacea, Gentian, Prickly Ash.

Stimulant
These herbs warm the body, quicken the circulation, break up obstructions and congestion, increase energy and possess a notably intense energy: Cayenne, Ginger, Horseradish, Mustard, Wormwood.

Styptic
These herbs arrest or reduce external bleeding due to astringent action on blood vessels: Yarrow, Horsetail, Cayenne, Bayberry, Plantain.

Vasodilator
These herbs expand blood vessels allowing increased circulation: Ginkgo, Feverfew, Siberian Ginseng, Ginger, Cayenne, Bayberry.

Vulnerary
These herbs help the body to heal wounds and cuts, and are applied externally: Comfrey, Calendula, Chickweed, St. Johns Wort [again, DO NOT use if Blood Type O or if you do not know your blood type], Marshmallow.

Plants listed by common names

Agrimony******Agrimonia eupatoria
Alfalfa*******Medicago sativa
Angelica******Angelica archangelica
Arnica******Arnica Montana
Artichoke******Cynara scolymnus
Ashwagandha******Withania membranaceus
Astragalus******Astragalus membranaceus

Balm******Melissa officinalis
Basil******Ocimum basilicum
Bayberry*******Myrica cerifera
Bearberry*******Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Black Cohosh*******Cimicifuga racemosa
Blackberry*******Rubus villosus
Bladderwrack*******Fucus vesiculosis
Blessed Thistle******Cnicus benedictus
Blue Cohosh*******Caulophylum thalictroides
Blue Flag******Iris versicolor
Bogbean******Menyanthes trifoliate
Boneset******Eupatorium perfoliatum
Buchu*******Agathosma betulina
Burdock*******Arctium lappa

Calendula*******Calendula officinalis
California Poppy******Eschsholzia californica
Cascara Sagrada*******Rhamnus purshiana
Catnip*******Nepeta cataria
Cayenne******Capsicum spp.
Celery seed******Apium graveolens
Centaury******Centaurium umbellatum
Chamomile******Matricaria chamomilla
Chaparrel******Larrea mexicana
Chaste Tree******Vitex agnus-castus
Chicory******Cichorium intybus
Chickweed******Stellaria media
Cinnamon******Cinnamomium zeylanicum
Cleavers******Galium aparine
Coffee******Coffea arabica
Coltsfoot*******Tussilago farfara
Comfrey******Symphytum officinale
Coriander******Coriandrum sativum
Corn Silk******Zea mays
Couch Grass*******Agropyron repens
Cramp Bark*******Viburnum opulus
Cranesbill*******Geranium maculatum
Cubeb******Piper cubeba

Damiana******Turnera diffusa
Dandelion*******Teraxacum officinale
Devil’s Club*******Oplopanax horridus
Dill*******Anethum graveolens
Dong Quai*******Angelica sinensis

Echinacea******Echinacea purpurea
***************Echinacea angustifolia
***************Echinacea pallida
Elder******Sambucus nigra
Elecampane******Inula helenium
Eucalyptus******Eucalyptus globules
Eyebright******Euphrasia officinalis

False Unicorn******Chamealirium luteum
Fennel******Foeniculum vulgare
Fenugreek******Trigonella foenum-graecum
Feverfew******Tanacetum parthenium
Flaxseed******Linum usitatissimum

Garlic******Allium sativum
Gentian******Gentiana spp.
Ginger******Zingiber officinale
Ginkgo******Ginkgo biloba
Ginseng******Panax spp.
Goat’s Rue******Galega officinalis
Golden Rod******Solidago virgauria
Golden Seal******Hydrastis Canadensis
Gotu Kola******Centella asiatica
Gravel Root******Eupatorium purpureum
Guarana******Paullinia cupana
Gumweed******Grindelia spp

Hawthorn******Crataegus spp.
**************Crataegus oxyacantha
Hops******Humulus lupulus
Horehound******Marrubium vulgare
Horsechestnut******Aesculus hippocastanum
Horseradish******Armoracia rusticana
Horsetail******Equisetum arvense
Ho shou wu******Polygonum multiflorum
Hydrangea******Hydrangea arborescens
Hyssop******Hyssopus officinales

Irish Moss******Chondrus crispus

Kola******Cola vera, C. acuminata

Lady’s Mantle******Alchemilla vulgaris
Lavender******Lavender officinalis
Licorice******Glycyrrhiza glabra
Linden******Tilia cordata
Lobelia******Lobelia inflata

Ma Huang******Ephedra sinica
Marshmallow******Althaea officinalis
Meadowsweet******Filipendula ulmaria
Melilot******Melilotus officinales
Milk Thistle******Carduus marianum
******************(Silybum marianum)
Motherwort******Leonurus cardiaca
Mugwort******Artemisia vulgaris
Mullein******Verbascum spp.
Mulberry******Morus spp.
Myrrh******Commiphora myrrha

Nasturtium******Tropaeolum majus
Nettle******Urtica spp.

Oat Bark******Quercus spp.
Oat******Avena Sativa
Olive Leaf******Olea europaea
Orange******Citrus aurantium
Oregon Grape******Berberis aquifolium Pursh.

Parsley******Petroselinum sativum
Partridge berry******Mitchella repens
Pau d’Arco******Tabebuia spp.
Passion Flower******Passiflora incarnata
Pennyroyal******Mentha piperata
Peppermint******Mentha piperata
Periwinkle******Vinca major (or Vinca minor)
Pipsissewa******Chimaphila umbellate
Plantain******Plantago lanceolata
**************Plantago major
Prickly Ash******Xanthoxylum americanum
Pumpkin******Cucurbita pepo

Raspberry******Rubus spp.
Red Clover******Trifolium pratense
Rosemary******Rosmarinus officinalis

Sage******Salvia officinalis
St. John’s Wort******Hypericum perforatum
Sarsaparilla******Smilax spp.
Sassafras******Sassafras albidum
Saw Palmetto******Serenoa serrulata
Scullcap******Scutellaria laterifolia
Shepherd’s Purse******Capsella bursa-pastoris
Siberian Ginseng******Eleutherococcus senticosus
Slippery Elm******Ulmus fulva
Sorrel******Rumex spp.
Southernwood******Artemisia abrotanum
Star Anise******Illicium anisatum
Strawberry******Fragaria vesca
Suma******Pfaffia paniculata

Tea Tree******Melaleuca alternifolia
Thuja******Thuja occidentalis
Thyme******Thymus spp.
Turmeric******Curcuma longa

Usnea******Usnea spp.
Uva Ursi******see Bearberry)

Valerian******Valeriana officinalis
Vervain******Verbena officinalis

Wild Cherry******Prunus serotina
Wild Indigo******Baptisia tinctoria
Wild Lettuce******Lactuca virosa
Wild Oat******Avena fatua
Wild Yam******Dioscorea villosa
Willow Bark******Salix spp.
Witch Hazel******Hamamelis virginiana
Wormwood******Artemisia absinthium

Yarrow******Achillea millefolium
Yellow Dock******Rumex crispus
Yerba Manza******Anemopsis californica
Yerba Mate******Ilex paraguensis
Yohimbe******Pausinystalia yohimba
Yucca******Yucca spp.

The above information is taken from The Male Herbal by James Green, Herbalist. I edited it very slightly. In my firm opinion, the best way to use the above information is alongside the blood type information - see http://www.dadamo.com